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New Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor elected

Councillor Mark Shayer, new Lord Mayor and Councillor Kathy Watkin, new Deputy Lord Mayor
Councillor Mark Shayer, new Lord Mayor and Councillor Kathy Watkin, new Deputy Lord Mayor

Councillor Mark Shayer has been elected as Lord Mayor of Plymouth, with Councillor Kathy Watkin as the new Deputy Lord Mayor for the upcoming year.

They were both elected at the Annual General Meeting this morning (Friday 19 May)

Councillor Shayer was first elected to the Budshead Ward in 2021. Until recently he was the Interim Leader of Plymouth City Council, and prior to that the Deputy Leader, responsible for human resources, economic development and finance, as well representing Plymouth on the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority.

Councillor Mark Shayer, served on three ships for the Royal Navy before joining the Submarine Service, where he served as an Engineer on five submarines over the course of nearly 25 years.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at Devonport Royal Dockyard as a Project Manager, before retiring in 2020.

He has always been actively locally, sitting on a number of local boards, including at the Four Greens Trust, the Drake Foundation and is the Joint Chair for the Mount Edgcumbe Trust Board.

Councillor Shayer, said: “It is an honour to be elected as the new Lord Mayor of Plymouth for the coming year.

“I have always been passionate about Plymouth, and it will be a real pleasure to have the opportunity to connect with people across the City from all walks of life. I will take this year as an opportunity to say thank you to those who make Plymouth such a lovely place to live, to work and to visit.

“I am looking forward to representing as many communities, organisations and the people of Plymouth and working hard to showcase Plymouth.”

Councillor Watkin was first elected as a ward councillor for Plymstock Radford Ward in 2019.

Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor consort, (L-R) Councillor John Mahony, Councillor Kathy Watkin, Councillor Mark Shayer and Samantha Shayer
Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor consort, (L-R) Councillor Dr John Mahony, Councillor Kathy Watkin, Councillor Mark Shayer and Mrs Samantha Shayer, Lady Mayoress

In addition to serving on the Planning Committee of which she was vice chair in 2022-2023. She also sat on the licensing committee, budget scrutiny committee, health and wellbeing board and the corporate parenting group.

Councillor Watkin trained as a speech and language therapist in London and practised for a few years. She then decided to pursue a career in law which brought her to Plymouth and has worked in and near the city as a solicitor for her lengthy legal career, and prior to her retirement had her own practice in the city.

Councillor Watkin, said: “To be elected as the next Deputy Lord Mayor is a privilege and an honour.

“I have loved Plymouth since first visiting as a child and feel that the people have a strong sense of community spirit. I am looking forward to meeting people from organisations and charities as well attending civic events during the next year”.