The Mayor of Southwark

Councillor Jeff Hook was appointed as The Mayor of Southwark at Constitutional Council on May 20 2009.

About our Mayor

The Mayor was born and brought up in Barry, South Wales. He has enjoyed varied careers in marine engineering, both in the Royal and Merchant Navy, and in 1986 he was awarded the Reserve Decoration for service to the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and two years later got promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander RNR. He has also had careers in IT and more recently as a driving instructor.

The Mayor came to live in Southwark in 1987 and was first elected to Southwark Council to represent Rotherhithe Ward in a by-election in December 1998. During his first term of office he served on a number of committees including the Ratification Committee. In May 2002 he was re-elected to Rotherhithe Ward and served as Chief Whip. In May 2006 Councillor Hook was again re-elected to serve Rotherhithe Ward.

During his political career in Southwark, Councillor Hook has served as Chair of Rotherhithe Community Council, Chair of Planning Committee, member of licensing committee and an Executive Member covering the portfolios of Regeneration; Community Safety and also Environment and Transport.

Role of the Mayor

The role of Mayor is a non political one and the Mayor represents every section of the community.

The Mayor is the Borough’s First Citizen and represents Southwark at hundreds of civic, ceremonial and social engagements throughout the year.

In addition the Mayor presides at meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community.

The Deputy Mayor

Councillor Robin Crookshank-Hilton was appointed Deputy Mayor at the Council’s Annual Meeting on the 20 May 2009. The Deputy Mayor will undertake the duties of the Mayor should he be unavailable.

The Mayor's Charity

Apart from promoting the common good of all the people who live and work in Southwark, the Mayor uses their term of office to support a charitable cause of particular interest to them. This year the Mayor has chosen to support Help for Heroes which was launched in October 2007 to help wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Mayor plans to hold a number of fundraising events throughout the year and will try to vary these to suit all tastes. The Mayor looks forward to your support and for those wishing to make a donation to this worthwhile cause can do so through the Mayor’s Just Giving page.

The Mayor, and those who will benefit from your generosity, are extremely grateful and thank you in advance.

Mayor's Diary

View the Mayor's Diary - Jan 2010

Contact

Sonia Sutton
Mayor's PA and civic officer
Tel: 020 7525 7303
Fax: 020 7525 7257
London Borough of Southwark
Southwark Town Hall
Peckham Road
London SE5 8UB