A new Civic and Deputy Mayor has been appointed for Croydon – The Newsroom

Councilor Kola Agboola was appointed as the new Civic Mayor of Croydon for the 2024-25 civic year at the Council’s annual meeting on Wednesday night.

The Civic Mayor will perform ceremonial and public duties throughout the borough during his year in office. This is a different role to the executive mayor, who is elected by the people of Croydon every four years to lead the council.

Councilor Agboola represents the New Addington North ward and is an active member of the community he has represented since being elected in May 2021.

Outside of his advisory work, he is a Senior Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills Technician at Kingston University, a position he finds fulfilling, supporting students and young people to reach their full potential.

Councilor Agboola is a strong supporter of community promotion, representation and advocacy for others, values ​​that led him to active politics four years ago after being an active trade unionist for over 30 years.

The new civic mayor lives in New Addington with his wife Helen, who will serve as mayor for the year.

Following his appointment, Councilor Agboola said: “I am truly grateful to be elected as Mayor of Croydon and look forward to representing the borough in my constitutional and ceremonial duties as Mayor and First Citizen. I am also proud to be the first African to achieve this position in Croydon.”

“I will support and raise the profile of my two chosen charities – Croydon Nightwatch and the Family Centre.”

Assisting the Mayor in his role is the new Deputy Mayor, Councilor Richard Chatterjee, who represents the Shirley North ward. Councilor Chatterjee was an NHS hospital pharmacist for 16 years, followed by 23 years in the public service.

Councilor Chatterjee said: “I am honored to be nominated to serve as Deputy Civic Mayor and grateful to the residents of Shirley North that I represent.”

Jason Perry, Chief Executive of Croydon, congratulated both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their positions. He said: “I am delighted to welcome Councilor Agboola and Councilor Chatterjee to their new roles. They have demonstrated their commitment to public service in their respective careers and the communities they represent, and I am sure they will fulfill their civic positions with the same level of dedication and passion.”