Southampton welcomes new Lord Mayor in annual Mayor Making Ceremony

The City of Southampton will welcome the new Lord Mayor on Wednesday 15 May in a traditional ceremony at the O2 Guildhall

The prestigious event will mark the start of the Lord Mayor’s year-long term of office and will be attended by civic dignitaries, councillors, past Mayors and members of the public. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq will also be in attendance.

Mayor Making is an opportunity for the city to come together to welcome and appoint its new Lord Mayor (Councillor David Shields) and its Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) Councillor James Bailie.

The Lord Mayor is recognised as the 'first citizen' of Southampton and Honorary Admiral of the Port - playing an important ambassadorial role in representing the city at a local, regional and national level.

Southampton’s Mayor Making ceremony will take place on Wednesday 15 May at 11am and will be attended by the outgoing Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent, who has served for the past year.

Councillor Shields, who has served as the city’s Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) for the past 12 months, will be confirmed Lord Mayor after taking the oath of office and receiving the Lord Mayor’s chain and robes. He will also announce his chosen charities for the year.

One of Councillor Shields' key responsibilities as Lord Mayor will be to chair Full Council meetings, and he will play a leading role in attending hundreds of engagements during the year representing the city and the council.

Mayor Making is a public event. Doors will open at 10.30am and it is free to attend.