Theresa Fowler Appointed New Mayor of Brighton and Hove
Councillor Theresa Fowler was formally sworn in as Mayor of Brighton and Hove on 21 May 2026 at Brighton Town Hall. Photo: Mayor of Brighton and Hove.
Theresa Fowler has been appointed the new Mayor of Brighton and Hove following a vote at the city council's Annual Meeting on Thursday 21 May at Brighton Town Hall.
Councillor Fowler, who represents the Hollingdean and Fiveways ward and has been a Labour councillor since 2019, takes over from outgoing mayor Councillor Amanda Grimshaw. She will serve as the city's first citizen for the 2026/27 municipal year.
Who Is Theresa Fowler?
Theresa Fowler has lived in Brighton and Hove her entire life. Born in Hong Kong to a British Army family, she moved to the Fiveways area of Brighton when she was one year old and has remained in Hollingdean and Fiveways ever since. She attended local schools, raised her family in the area and in 2010 opened Fiveways Arts and Crafts, a local craft shop she ran before entering politics.
She joined the Labour Party in 2015 and was first elected as a councillor for the Hollingdean and Stanmer ward in 2019. She was re-elected in 2023 for the newly formed Hollingdean and Fiveways ward and has served as deputy mayor since December 2025.
Her council work has focused on housing, road safety, environmental protection and support for children and young families. She is best known locally for her successful campaign to ban sky lanterns and balloon releases on public land, a measure that is now part of the council's Public Space Protection Orders.
The Nomination
Council leader Bella Sankey nominated Councillor Fowler, describing her as someone who embodied the heart and soul of the city. Councillor Gill Williams, who has served alongside Fowler for seven years, seconded the nomination.
After taking the oath of office, Councillor Fowler said Brighton had been the backdrop to her entire life and a city that had shaped who she is.
"I am incredibly proud of its creativity, its warmth and its spirit of inclusivity," she said. "It is a modern forward-looking city that continues to embrace change while still holding firmly to its rich heritage and history. Truly Brighton and Hove is a city like no other."
Deputy Mayor
Councillor Tobias Sheard was confirmed as the new Deputy Mayor at the same meeting. Brighton and Hove Labour noted that if convention is followed and Councillor Sheard goes on to succeed Councillor Fowler as mayor in 2027/28, he would become the city's youngest ever mayor. The party also noted he would be the first openly gay deputy mayor in the city's modern history.
Mayoral Charities
During her mayoral year, Councillor Fowler will support two charities. The first is Forward Facing, a Sussex-based charity supporting families affected by childhood cancer, life-limiting conditions and bereavement. The charity was supported by her late husband during his time working at Brighton and Hove Albion, making it a personal choice.
The second is Whoopsadaisy, a Brighton charity supporting children with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders through Conductive Education and Occupational Therapy.
Councillor Fowler has also confirmed she will attend LGBTQ+ community events throughout her mayoral year.
The Role of Mayor
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove is the city's first citizen and holds a ceremonial role. The position involves chairing full council meetings and representing the city at civic events. It is politically neutral when being carried out. Unlike elected mayors in cities such as London or Manchester, the role does not carry executive decision-making powers, which remain with the council leader and cabinet.
The Reverend Tom Holbird of St Matthias Church in Fiveways, which is in the heart of Councillor Fowler's ward, will serve as the mayor's chaplain. Her sister, Lorraine Garrett, a nurse, will serve as her consort.
