The first Sikh to be High Sheriff of Leicestershire will take office next year.
Resham Singh Sandhu, of Oadby, will take on the oldest continuous secular office under the Crown in the spring.
The role includes being the Queen's representative for the judicial system in Leicestershire and involves working with the courts, police, probation service, community groups and faiths.
A big part of his year in office will be raising money for charity.
Mr Singh Sandhu, who was made an MBE in 2002, came to Leicestershire from Punjab, India, 38 years ago.
He said of his appointment: "It's a great honor and privilege."
He said he would be the first turban-wearing Sikh High Sheriff in the country.
"This is going to set a good image of Great Britain," he said.
"People can see that if you really work hard and deserve it, you can become a civic dignitary. It promotes multi-culturalism.
"My family in Punjab always worked with communities and to help other people. When I came over here I wanted to do the same.
"I didn't do it because I wanted to be recognized for it – I never expected that."
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| Mrs Manjula Sood (Chair of the Leicester Council of Faiths), the Right Reverend Tim Stevens (Bishop of Leicester) and Resham Singh Sandhu |
In 2006, he was commissioned Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Leicestershire by Lord Lieutenant Jennifer, Lady Gretton.
He will wear the same ceremonial uniform for the role of High Sheriff.
Mr Singh Sandhu will succeed Colonel Robert Martin in either March or April next year.
He will be expected to attend royal visits and be entitled to act as a returning officer in parliamentary elections.
He said: "I will work very hard to raise money for charities, such as Crimebeat and Cancer Research.
"I also want to do something to recognize community groups and unsung heroes. That is a very important part of the position."
Before he and other High Sheriffs take up the office an ancient ceremony will take place at the Privy Council in London.
The Queen, using a silver bodkin, will prick their names on a parchment list to give their appointments the Royal seal of approval.