Councillor Theresa Fowler has been appointed Mayor of Brighton & Hove after her nomination was approved by councillors.
Councillors voted in favour of Councillor Fowler replacing the outgoing mayor, Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, at our annual meeting earlier today (Thursday 21 May).
She will be supported in the role by a new Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tobias Sheard, whose nomination was also approved.
If council convention is followed and Councillor Sheard goes on to succeed the newly appointed Councillor Fowler as mayor in 2027/28, they would the city’s youngest ever mayor.
Councillor Fowler, who has lived in Brighton & Hove her entire life and previously ran a local craft shop, has been a councillor since her election in Hollingdean and Stanmer in 2019.
She was re-elected in 2023 in the newly formed Hollingdean and Fiveways ward.
During her time as councillor, the new mayor has championed recycling and plastic waste reduction and led community clean-up initiatives across the city.
Her work also includes successfully campaigning for the ban on sky lanterns and balloon releases on public land – a policy now enshrined in our Public Space Protection Orders in an effort to protect local wildlife.
Councillor Fowler’s interests span housing, road safety, environmental protection, and support for children and young families - key themes she will take forward into her mayoralty.
The new mayor has chosen to support 2 local charities during her time in office - Forward Facing and Whoopsadaisy, both of which work with children, young people and their families.
Reverend Tom Holbird of St Matthias Church in Fiveways will serve as the mayor’s chaplain. St Matthias Church is located in the heart of Councillor Fowler’s ward and is where she regularly worships.
Her sister, Lorraine Garrett, a nurse, will serve as her consort.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Theresa and Tobias are both deeply committed to their communities and to Brighton & Hove as a whole.
“Theresa has a passion for protecting the places, wildlife and biodiversity that makes our city special, while Tobias is someone who will bring energy, dynamism and a dry wit to his role.
“I know they will be generous with their time, keen to listen, and proud to represent our wonderfully diverse city over the coming year.”