New Mayor of Guildford elected
New Mayor of Guildford elected
At the Annual Meeting of Guildford Borough Council held today (7 May 2025) Cllr Howard Smith was elected the new Mayor of Guildford for the municipal year 2025/2026.
Cllr Howard Smith has served as a Guildford Borough Councillor for Westborough Ward since May 2023 and was Deputy Mayor for the 2024/2025 municipal year.
Howard was born in Guildford and grew up in Jacobs Well. He attended local primary and secondary schools before becoming the drummer in 80s band, The Vapors. Their most well-known worldwide hit song was Turning Japanese. The band appeared on Top of the Pops and toured Australia and America. When the group disbanded, Howard stayed in the music business. He has worked for The Performing Right Society in London, run a record shop, and now promotes live music around the town.
Howard’s theme for his mayoral year is ‘improving lives’. From helping young people make the most of opportunities, particularly in music and the performing arts, to helping the more senior members of our community enjoy and make the most of their lives.
He has chosen to support three charities that impact on the wellbeing of our community: Guildford Shakespeare Company, The Cheryl King Trust, and Phyllis Tuckwell Living Well Service.
Speaking at today’s meeting, the new Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Howard Smith said:
“I am truly honoured and delighted to have become the Mayor of Guildford. I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to become mayor of my hometown.
“I have a deep commitment to helping make our town the best it can possibly be for all our residents and will be using my role to effect change where I can.
“I want the year ahead to be great fun, not just for me, but for everyone. Our town of Guildford is a remarkable town, and borough, packed with great, generous people, beautiful villages, and wonderful countryside. I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to do everything that we can as a community, to help one another.”
Cllr Jane Tyson was appointed Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2025/2026.
For more information about the Mayor of Guildford and his duties visit www.guildford.gov.uk/mayor or follow him on Facebook: @GuildfordMayoralty.
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Notes to Editor
The Council approved the nomination of Councillor Howard Smith as Mayor of the Borough for the municipal year 2025/26 at its meeting on 3 December 2024.
More information about Howard’s chosen charities:
Guildford Shakespeare Company: “Exceptional theatre in extraordinary places”
www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
The Cheryl King Trust: “Enabling and inspiring all young people to make music”
www.cherylkingtrust.org.uk
Phyllis Tuckwell Living Well Service: “It’s not about end of life – it’s about rest of life”
www.pth.org.uk/your-care/our-services/living-well-service
The Mayor of Guildford’s Local Support Fund
The Mayor will continue to support this fund, which provides vital financial support to residents facing difficult financial circumstances.
Photo supplied:
Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Howard Smith, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jane Tyson, for 2025/2026 municipal year .
Press contact: Beverley Stonehouse – e-mail Beverley.Stonehouse@guildford.gov.uk