Ultimate Bailiff Job

Frank G Whitworth, a Yorkshireman who got a Bailiff job which saw him being recognised by the Queen.

How it all began

During World War II Mr Frank G Whitworth was a navigator in The Royal Air Force. He was involved in hundreds of missions in Europe, India and Africa and carried a little leather black cat with him all the time for luck. The cat must have worked because he survived without injury.

He left the RAF circa 1948 and began working as an auctioneer selling cars for a company that later became part of what is now known as British Car Auctions. In the early 1950s he opened his own business as an auctioneer and valuer in Huddersfield and became a member of the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers passing their examinations with first class honours.

In the early 1950s he was involved in a tragic car accident which confined him to hospital for over 6 months having broken most of the bones on the left side of his body. Many operations and metal plates later he walked out of hospital unaided, but his football and cricket aspirations were at an end.

Mr Frank G Whitworth was an accomplished footballer. He began playing as a centre forward, but it was as a goalkeeper that he shone. This drew the attention of big clubs trying to sign him including Arsenal and Manchester City. He declined their offers, preferring instead to play for Huddersfield Wednesday on his half day off whilst working. In those days, most towns and cities in England had one day a week half day closing.

In the latter part of the 1950s business began to grow. He moved the business out of small premises in John William Street, Huddersfield which was the basement of what is now occupied by McDonalds, to a larger building along Wood Street where the business remained for many years.

Becoming a Sheriff

It was about this time that Frank G Whitworth was approached by the Office of The Under Sheriff in York and appointed a Sheriff’s Officer. A High Sheriff, for each area known as a bailiwick, is appointed by the Queen every year, but usually the Under Sheriff remained in office on an ongoing basis. The Under Sheriff then appointed Sheriff’s Officers to enforce the Court Orders. The bailiwick appointed to Frank G Whitworth was Huddersfield, Halifax and parts of Saddleworth.

In those days many appointed Sheriff’s Officers were qualified valuers and auctioneers. This meant they were able to value the goods they seized and if the debtors were unable to settle their debts, the goods could be professionally auctioned.

A Day on the Stage

Over the years we have encountered many high-profile figures whilst carrying out our Court duties. From politicians to footballers and even rock stars and TV personalities. None was as high profile as the demises of The Batley Variety Club in West Yorkshire.

In 1980 this World-famous venue fell upon hard times and had to close its doors. All the goods inside were auctioned by Frank G Whitworth from the very stage, which only a short time earlier had welcomed famous stars including Shirley Bassey and Ken Dodd to name a few.

Recognition by Royal Charter

In 1981 Frank G Whitworth’s huge charitable efforts raising funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research were recognised by The Crown and he was granted his own Coat of Arms by Royal Assent.

A Second Generation

In 1989 Mr Frank G Whitworth sadly passed away and was superseded by his son. Also named Frank, his son was appointed as a Sheriff’s Officer in 1988 and authorised as a High Court Enforcement Officer in 2004. Being a qualified valuer and auctioneer it was, as someone once said, “business as usual”.

The Abolition of The Sheriff

In 2004 the Government abolished the “Sheriff” and introduced “High Court Enforcement Officers”. What this meant was Frank G Whitworth were no-longer restricted to work within the areas previously appointed to them by the Under Sheriff. They could now work anywhere in England and Wales.

The result was steady expansion with several regional offices opening throughout the Country. As this time coincided with the beginning of the internet boom, business continued to grow.

Third Generation

In 2012 Myles Whitworth became the third generation to join the company.

Myles is a Certificated Enforcement Agent and appears regularly on the BBC 1 popular TV series “The Sheriffs are Coming”.

The Merger

To make better use of resources, in 2019 Frank G Whitworth merged with Quality Bailiffs and Derby Legal Services. This meant they now had access to over 200 enforcement agents throughout England and Wales and were able to offer a more comprehensive range of services including large traveller or squatter evictions and protester sites. It also allowed access to “The Horse Bailiffs” and can assist landowners to remove uninvited horses carefully and without harm from their land. By pooling resources all parties benefited from the merger and business continues to grow.

The Sheriffs Are Coming

The time of the merger coincided with Frank G Whitworth being approached to take part in a new series of “The Sheriffs are Coming” for the BBC. Having previously turned down television work, the merger meant Frank G Whitworth now had the capacity to fulfil all the necessary television requirements.

Covid-19

Enforcement agent activities throughout the country have been seriously affected by Government restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. However, the merger with Quality Bailiffs and Derby Legal Services to create a larger business has meant Frank G Whitworth was in a much stronger position to adapt to these challenges and business continues to grow.

How to become a High Court Enforcement Officer

To become an authorised High Court Enforcement Officer involves passing a series of exams and then providing evidence that you have first hand experience of all aspects of the job. To do this effectively most candidates obtain sponsorship from a High Court Enforcement agency who can guide them through the process, which takes several years.

I have a question

Telephone or email Frank G Whitworth for advice.