Council leadership and Cabinet positions confirmed at Annual Council

Cabinet positions and portfolios for the coming 12 months have been confirmed – with Councillor Bella Sankey re-elected as Leader.

Councillor Sankey will also remain as chair of Cabinet, with both Councillor Jacob Taylor and Councillor Tim Rowkins continuing in the roles of Deputy Leader.

Councillor Taylor will remain Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration, while Councillor Rowkins keeps the Net Zero and Environmental Services brief.

Change to Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism role

In a change from the previous year, Councillor David McGregor has been appointed as Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Councillor McGregor will be replaced as chair of Licensing by Councillor Andrei Czolak.

Councillor Jacob Allen will keep the Customer Services and Public Realm portfolio but takes on additional responsibility for Local Government Reorganisation.

The rest of the Cabinet positions remain unchanged, as below:

  • Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet Member for Transport and City Infrastructure.
  • Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing.
  • Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services.
  • Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Adult Social Care.
  • Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries.

Cabinet Advisors confirmed

Councillors have also been appointed as Cabinet Advisors for 2026/27. These are:

  • Councillor Joy Robinson, Cabinet Advisor for Procurement and Contract Management.
  • Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman, Cabinet Advisor for Small Business and Innovation.
  • Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, Cabinet Advisor for Community Safety and Armed Forces.
  • Councillor Tobias Sheard, Cabinet Advisor for Youth Engagement.

Councillor Paul Nann will chair the Health and Wellbeing Board, while Councillor Alison Thomson will continue to chair our Planning committee. Councillor Julie Cattell will chair the Corporate Parenting Board.

New mayor appointed

The new roles were confirmed at the local authority’s Annual Council meeting at Brighton Town Hall today (Thursday 21 May), during which Councillor Theresa Fowler was introduced as the new mayor of Brighton & Hove, replacing the outgoing mayor, Councillor Amanda Grimshaw.

Councillor Sheard will take on the role of deputy mayor.