The Mayor of Southwark

Southwark's Mayor

Cllr Lorraine Lauder was elected Mayor of Southwark at the Annual Meeting of Council Assembly on 24 May 2011.

Profile of the new Mayor

Mayor Lauder was born in Southwark and went to school and college in the borough. Her father, Ron Slater, and husband John were both councillors.

The Mayor has been involved with the tenants association for thirteen years and she was the chair of the Taplow neighbourhood forum. In 2002, she became the councillor for Faraday ward and was Deputy Mayor to the late Cllr Tayo Situ.

The Mayor worked for the Guardian newspaper as an administrator for 23 years until her retirement two years ago. Her parents were instrumental in setting up the People Care Association charity and for her fundraising efforts Mayor Lauder was awarded an MBE in 2005.

The Mayor's consort this year will be her son John and the Mayor's spiritual advisor will be Canon Graeme Shaw from St Paul's Church.

Mayor Lauder said: "I would like to say thank you for bestowing this honour upon me and I shall attempt to live up to the high standards set by my predecessors and I look forward to my year in office."

The Mayor's charity

The Mayor's nominated charities this year will be the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and the People Care Association.

The Southwark Civic Association and the Civic Awards

Established in 1995, the awards aim to raise and promote civic awareness, civic pride, civic responsibility and civic consciousness among all the communities within the London Borough of Southwark.

View information on how to enter the the Southwark Civic Association and the Civic Awards

Role of 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

Cllr Althea Smith was appointed Deputy Mayor at the Annual Meeting of Council Assembly on 24 May 2011.