THE CITY’S new Lord Mayor has been presented with the chain of office at a ceremony at Leicester’s Town Hall.
Cllr Kulwinder Singh Johal, who has represented Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields ward since 2015, was sworn in as the city’s first citizen at a meeting of the full council this evening (Thursday 14 May).
At the ceremony, the new Lord Mayor announced he would be supporting two charities in his mayoral year: the Midland Langar Seva Society, a charity that’s dedicated to addressing food insecurity and homelessness in Leicester, and Leicester Hospitals Charity, working with the city's hospitals to support early diagnosis of diabetes and kidney care.
Cllr Singh Johal will be supported in his year in office by the Lady Mayoress, his wife Manjit Kaur Johal, while his daughter – Gursimran Kaur Hayer – will be his consort. Ashvir, his son, will also play a supportive role.
“Having lived most of my life in the Braunstone Park and Rowley Fields area, it was a privilege to be elected as my community’s ward councillor in 2015,” he said.
“To now have the opportunity to represent the city that has been my home for most of my life as Lord Mayor is a true honour, and I pledge to serve every resident of Leicester with openness, respect and humility.
“As I take on this historic role, I’ve chosen to highlight the important work that’s carried out by two brilliant local charities – the Midland Langar Seva Society and Leicester Hospitals Charity.
“A charity that strives to ensure that everyone in our city has the food that they need and a roof over their head, and one that’s committed to identifying and researching ways to prevent early stages of diabetes and kidney disease, both deserve the public’s backing, and I hope that the people of Leicester will join me in supporting them during my year in office.”
After completing his education, Cllr Singh Johal began his career at Russell Castings Ltd, a long-established Leicester foundry producing ductile iron castings. He worked there for 25 years until the foundry closed in 2016 – an experience that shaped his long-standing commitment to trade union values.
Guided by his Sikh faith and the principle of seva (selfless service), he has volunteered for many years. As General Secretary of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, he helped host HM Queen Elizabeth II during her visit in 2002. He has also played a leading role in developing GNG Football Club as one of the city’s largest and most inclusive community sports organisations.
Cllr Singh Johal becomes the latest incumbent of an office that dates back to at least 1209. Incumbents of the office were formerly known simply as the ‘Mayor’, but the title was elevated to ‘Lord Mayor’ in 1928.
Cllr Dr Susan Barton will serve as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2026-27, with outgoing Lord Mayor, Cllr Teresa Aldred, appointed as High Bailiff.
More information about the office of the Lord Mayor is available at leicester.gov.uk
Picture caption: The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Kulwinder Singh Johal