High Bailiff

Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE CStJ

Sir Kenneth Olisa, Her Majesty The Queen’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, is Westminster Abbey’s High Bailiff and Searcher of the Sanctuary.

Both are historic roles, but today the High Bailiff acts as one of the principal external advisers to the Dean & Chapter and takes part in the Abbey’s most significant ceremonial occasions.

Born in Nottingham and educated in state schools and at Cambridge University, Sir Kenneth worked at IBM and Wang, after which he founded two merchant banks focused on the technology sector. His charitable work includes being president of the London homeless charity Thames Reach (for which he received an OBE), chair of the welfare-to-work charity Shaw Trust, and founding chair of the Aleto Foundation, which supports future leaders from tough backgrounds.