New Lord Mayor of Leicester takes office

LEICESTER’S new mayor was handed the chains of office at a ceremony at City Hall.

Councilor Bhupen Dave, who represents the city’s Rushey Mead ward, will serve as Lord Mayor of Leicester until May 2025.

Councilor Dave was born and educated in Uganda before coming to the UK in 1972 with his parents. He studied at the universities of Bristol and Southampton before working for Leicestershire County Council as a qualified social worker. He later joined Leicester City Council where he became director of community care.

Cllr Dave has a long career in politics and was a town councilor from 1983 to 1995 when he represented Highfields and later Belgrave. He was deputy leader of the city council for many years and was also a local councilor for Oadby & Wigston Borough Council from 2012 to 2019. He was re-elected to Leicester City Council in May 2023 and now represents the Rushey Mead district.

He is a “people person” and has initiated many community and business projects in the city over the years. As well as being a founder member and chairman of the ASRA Housing Association – which provided specialist housing for vulnerable older people – Cllr Dave also supported youth provision and accommodation for vulnerable women and children with special needs.

Cllr Dave was instrumental in establishing twinning links between Leicester and the city of Rajkot in India and was also a trustee and director for many charities and community organisations.

Cllr Dave said: “I am honored to serve Leicester as Lord Mayor. Throughout my life, I have always promoted community harmony by treating all communities fairly and equally. I look forward to working with people from all walks of life to promote Leicester as a beacon of good community relations.”

The city’s mayor, Peter Soulsby, said: “In over 50 years of mayoral involvement, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Bhupen to this role as he has been a personal friend for over 40 years. I remember him approaching me when he was setting up ASRA Housing, which I was very excited to support. I wish him well in his year as Lord Mayor of Leicester.”

Cllr Dave is married to Usha who will support him as Lord Mayor throughout the year. They have two sons, a grandson and a granddaughter.

Cllr Teresa Aldred will be the new Deputy Mayor, while Cllr Manjula Sood will remain Chief Bailiff.