New Lord Mayor of Swansea inaugurated in special ceremony

Cllr Graham Thomas succeeds Councillor Mike Day, to become Lord Mayor for 2023/24 and his deputy will be Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams.

Cllr Thomas, who has been a ward member for Cwmbwrla since 1999, has taken up his post following an inauguration ceremony at the Council Chamber, The Guildhall.

As Lord Mayor Cllr Thomas will have an important civic and ceremonial role as the city’s official ambassador. He will also be involved in raising money for local good causes.

Cllr Thomas said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to be serving the communities of Swansea as their Lord Mayor in the coming year.”

“I am really looking forward to getting out and about among the people of this fantastic city that we love so much, as well as representing Swansea to visitors and as an ambassador at a very exciting time for our communities.”

As part of their year in office Lord Mayors often choose charities to support through fundraising events. This year Cllr Thomas has chosen Friends of the Young Disabled and Crisis Skyline.

Born and bred in Manselton, Cllr Thomas is a season ticket holder at Swansea City FC and was educated at the local secondary modern school before gaining qualifications in business studies at Swansea College of Further Education.

He worked for the local electricity and water boards before going on to join the DVLA, where he met his wife, Kathy. They have two children, David and Gareth.

Cllr Thomas is a governor at Burlais Primary School and is currently vice-Chair of Governors at Pentrehafod Comprehensive.

He served as Cabinet Member for Housing from 2004-2008 and then Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism from 2008-2012, during which time he was appointed chair of the Swansea Stadium Management Company and served as board member for the South West Wales Tourism Partnership, Wales National Pool Swansea and Play Wales.

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams is ward member for Fairwood, representing the areas of Three Crosses, Upper Killay and Fairwood. He lives in Three Crosses.

Cllr Hood-Williams was born and brought up in Upper Killay and moved to Three Crosses on getting married. He was elected as the councillor for Fairwood in 2004, and has been a Three Crosses (since the mid 1980’s) and Upper Killay (since the early 2000’s) Community Councillor, and is passionate about serving the community.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)