New Mayor to support two local organisations that help champion addressing inequality and supporting vulnerable residents

Mayor of Kingston

Councillor Diane White has been appointed 189th mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston at Annual Council on 16 May.

Councillor White has lived in the borough for over 25 years and has represented the residents of St Mark’s and Seething Wells since 2014. She played a vital role in the 2018-2022 administration as the lead member for Children’s Service and Education, and until very recently, was Chief Executive of local voluntary sector organisation, Kingston Carers' Network. 

Alongside her, Councillor Richard Thorpe was appointed Deputy Mayor. 

As is customary, the Mayor has chosen two local organisations to champion as her special causes during her time in office. The first is Kingston Charitable Foundation which supports local charities and volunteer organisations that address inequalities across Kingston. The second is Voices of Hope, an organisation dedicated to rebuilding hope in those who have faced severe adversity, focusing on improving physical and mental health through community-based projects.

Annual Council also noted the appointment of the administration's new portfolio holders: 

  • Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance - Councillor Andreas Kirsch
  • Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure - Councillor Alison Holt 
  • Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health -  Councillor Sabah Hamed
  • Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services including Education - Councillor Steph Archer 
  • Portfolio Holder for Housing - Councillor Emily Davey 
  • Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Sustainable Transport - Councillor Ian Manders
  • Portfolio Holder for Assets, Commissioning and Waste  -  Councillor Noel Hadjimichael
  • Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Regulatory Services - Councillor Roger Hayes 
  • Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Governance -  Councillor Afy Afilaka 

Your councillors and committees 

You can view all of our elected councillors on our website.

To find out more about Kingston's committees and their members, visit our committee webpage or our Leader and Portfolio webpage.

Published: 17th May 2023