Councillor Nigel Folkard has been formally elected as the 104th Mayor of Southend at today’s Annual Meeting of the Council, taking over the role from Cllr Ron Woodley.
The ceremony began with prayers led by the outgoing Mayor's Chaplain, Reverend David Pierce.
Following the formal nomination and election process, Cllr Folkard was robed and returned to the chamber. He then signed the official Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and he and his wife Marion were presented with the Chains of Office.
Mayor Nigel Folkard said: "It is a real honour to be chosen as Mayor of our city. I'm proud to serve Southend and will do my best to meet the expectations of this important role.
"My wife Marion and I are looking forward to getting out and about, meeting the people who make Southend such a special place to live and work, and celebrating the brilliant charities and community groups that support our city every day.
"I'm pleased to share that Father Graham Smith, of Sacred Heart RC Church in Southchurch, has kindly agreed to be my Chaplain for the year. My chosen charities will be Southend in Sight and Southend University Hospital, two causes close to my heart that do outstanding work supporting local people."
Outgoing Mayor, Cllr Ron Woodley, was presented with a Past Mayor's Badge, and Mrs Maureen Woodley received a Past Mayoress Badge in recognition of their service.
Cllr Woodley said: "I wish Mayor Nigel Folkard and his wife, Marion, all the best for the year ahead. I also want to thank my colleagues, friends, Thorpe ward residents, and everyone who's supported me this past year.
"I'm hugely grateful to everyone who helped raise £50,000 for my chosen charities, Southend HARP and The Jude Harvey Foundation. It's been a privilege to serve our city, and I'll look back on this time with great fondness."
Also during the meeting, Cllr Tony Cox was appointed Deputy Mayor for 2025/26. His wife, Mrs Michele Cox and Mrs Valerie Jarvis, received their Deputy Mayoress badges.
About Mayor Nigel Folkard
- Conservative councillor for Chalkwell Ward since 2015
- Has served on key council committees, including the Development Control Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, and Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
- Began his career in the Merchant Navy and later became a teacher, taking up a senior role at Southend College of Arts and Technology after moving to the city with his wife and young daughters
- Ambassador for Southend University Hospital's fundraising team and active member of Southend Lions Club
- Introduced the tradition of blindfolded shopping on World Sight Day to raise awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired residents
- Has launched the role of Mayor's Cadet to involve local young people in civic life
Did you know?
- The Mayor of Southend is a ceremonial role. The Mayor continues to represent their ward as a councillor, but Mayoral duties are separate
- Within the Council, the Mayor's main responsibility is to chair meetings of the Full Council
- Outside the Council, the Mayor represents the city and its people at events, openings, visits and more, supporting charities, welcoming visitors, and raising the profile of Southend across the region
- It is tradition for the longest-serving councillor who wishes to be Mayor to first serve as Deputy Mayor the year before