Find out about the Mayor of Guildford

Councillor Sallie Barker MBE is the Mayor of Guildford for 2024-25.

She's been a councillor of Pilgrims Ward since 2023 and was Deputy Mayor for 2023-2024.

About Sallie

Sallie began her commitment to public service during her teaching career. She served as an Officer in the Territorial Army for nearly 20 years. She moved to Guildford in 1988. She lives in Guildford with her partner, Phil. They enjoy the many social opportunities on offer and taking long walks in the nearby countryside.

Mayor's theme

In her Mayoral year Sallie will focus on 'Making connections for the wellbeing of our communities'. Sallie has a passion for bringing people together to work towards a common goal.  She hopes that her Mayoral year will provide the perfect opportunity to do this.

She particularly wants to encourage conversations about our wellbeing. Although unable to fundraise for all the great charities in our borough, she will attend as many events as possible. Sallie will help organisations to raise their profile and to fundraise for themselves.

She will support The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund. It helps people facing financial problems. Guildford Philanthropy will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. To mark this significant anniversary, Sallie will also be helping them to raise funds.

Find out more information about the Mayor. (PDF) [1MB]

Deputy Mayor

Councillor Howard Smith is the Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2024-25.

A member of the council is elected to be the Mayor for the forthcoming year.

The Deputy Mayor is elected in the same way.

The Mayor, and in his or her absence the Deputy Mayor, has the following role:

• to uphold and promote the purposes of the council's constitution 
• to preside over meetings of the council so that business can be carried out efficiently 
• to ensure that the council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community. 
• to promote public involvement in the council's activities
• to attend civic and ceremonial events

The Mayor traditionally steps back from party politics for his or her term of office. 

The Mayor does not deal with complaints. To complain about a council matter, go to our complaints page.

Find out more about how to book the Mayor for your event and apply online.

Request the Mayor's attendance for your event

The questions and answers below will help you plan your visit from the Mayor or Deputy Mayor. 

How should I introduce the Mayor at a function and how should I address him or her?

✔ When introducing the Mayor at a function, please say: "The Worshipful the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor...
(first name and last name, for example, Sallie Barker)

✔ If the Mayor is accompanied by an official escort just add "and escort, Mr or Mrs...."

✔ In the case of a male Mayor who is accompanied by his Mayoress, just add "and the Mayoress, Mrs....."

✔ Please introduce the Deputy Mayor as "The Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Councillor ...." as with the Mayor.

✔  After the first introduction, the Mayor should be addressed as 'Madam Mayor'. Or in the case of a male Mayor - Mr Mayor, and the Mayoress (where applicable) as Madam Mayoress.

✔ The Deputy Mayor should be addressed as "Madam, or Mr, Deputy Mayor". The Mayor or Deputy Mayor's Escort should simply be referred to by their name.

When does the Mayor attend an event as the First Citizen of the Borough?

The Mayor is the principal guest at any social function in the borough to which he, or she, has been invited as Mayor.

As Mayor they attend as the First Citizen of the Borough and not as a representative of the council.

What time should the Mayor arrive at a function?

The Mayor arrives five to 10 minutes before the start of a function. Unless you have requested otherwise on the bid form/information sheet.

Make sure the Mayor is met by an officer of your organisation. They can escort and introduce the Mayor to the host or guests. It is important that the host is at the event for the whole of the Mayor's visit. 

Where should the Mayor be seated?

At a formal dinner, lunch etc, the Mayor traditionally sits on the immediate right of the host. The Mayor sits on the immediate right of the person presiding at a meeting, unless he, or she, is in the Chair.

What happens if the Mayor attends a church service?

At a church service, you must arrange for the Mayor to be met at the entrance to the church. The Mayor is then escorted to the front pew on the right hand side of the centre aisle. The only exception to this practice would be at a funeral service, or other private service. On these occasions, the Mayor would give up his, or her place to the family mourners and take the front pew on the left.

Can we take a photograph of the Mayor?

If you are a voluntary organisation, it is fine to take a photo of the Mayor during your event. Your organisation or club can use the images as you wish.

If a photo is to be used by a commercial organisation, you need prior written consent from the Mayor's office. This includes any reference to the Mayor in any advertising material for a company. 

What if a member of the royal family is also attending our event?

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy will advise on protocol. Contact the Mayor's office for guidance by emailing civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.

What if the Deputy Mayor is representing the Mayor?

All the procedures above apply to the Deputy Mayor when attending an event on behalf of the Mayor.

Download a copy of our protocol information leaflet for 2024/25.  protocol information (PDF) [216KB]

If you have any queries about future events, email civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.
 

Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith

Friday 15 November to Sunday 1 December 2024

Friday 15 November

12:00             The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker, attends the VIP Opening of the Mill Court Care Home, Guildford.

12:15             The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith, attends the Celebration of 125^th Anniversary of F G Barnes at Slyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford.

16:30             The Mayor attends Experience Guildford's Ribbon Cutting Opening Ceremony of Guildford Illuminate in the Castle Grounds at Castle Hill, Guildford.

Sunday 17 November

10:00             The Mayor welcomes a delegation from Dongying, China, at the Guildhall, Guildford.

14:40             The Mayor attends the Guildford and Godalming Interfaith Week Event at Guildford United Reformed Church, Guildford.

Tuesday 19 November

12:00             The Mayor visits the North Street Foodbank at St Clare's Church, Cabell Road, Guildford.

Thursday 21 November

18:00             The Mayor joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Spelthorne's Civic Reception for the Business Sector at Berkeley Homes, Eden Grove, Staines-upon-Thames.

Saturday 23 November

11:00             The Mayor attends the Action for Carers' Information Fair at The Hive, Park Barn Drive, Guildford.

17:00             The Mayor, accompanied by Mr Rob Durham, attends the Guildford Opera Company's Reception and Performance of 'Cav and Pag' at the Electric Theatre, Guildford.

18:20             The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith attends the Guildford Theatre School Prize Giving at St Nicolas' Church, Guildford.

Sunday 24 November

13:00             The Mayor attends the Guildford Borough Council's Festive Fun Day at the Guildhall, Guildford.

13:15             The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Debbie Smith, attends the Normandy Parish Council's Playground Opening at Normandy Village Hall, Normandy.

Monday 25 November

16:30             The Mayor attends the University of Surrey's Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Tuesday 26 November

13:00             The Deputy Mayor attends the Talk Surrey CIO Annual General Meeting at St Catherine's Village Hall, Guildford.

19:00             The Mayor has dinner with the Mayor of Freiburg and Town Hall representatives in Freiburg.

Wednesday 27 November

18:30              The Mayor attends a commemoration ceremony in Freiburg Town Hall, followed by a Commemoration Service for the 80^th Anniversary of the Bombing of Freiburg in Freiburg Cathedral

Thursday 28 November

18:00             The Mayor attends the Surrey Property Awards at G Live.

Friday 29 November

10:15             The Mayor attends the National Trust Munstead Wood Event - Gertrude Jekyll Birthday Brunch and Private View of the exhibition on Munstead Wood at Guildford Museum.

14:00             The Mayor attends the Surrey Federation of WIs Violence Against Women Seminar at the SFWI Offices, Guildford.

20:00             The Mayor takes part in the Sleep Out for Guildford Action at Guildford College.

Saturday 30 November

12:50             The Mayor attends the Ash Parish Council Christmas Fantasia 2024 at Ash Parish Council, Ash.

18:00             The Mayor officially opens this years' Christmas Panto, Robin Hood, at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford.

Sunday 1 December

12:00             The Mayor attends the Guildford Twinning Association's German Mini Christmas Market at the Guildhall, Guildford.

14:00             The Mayor attends the Ripley Parish Council Christmas Fair at High Street, Ripley.

18:10             The Mayor attends the Friends of Arundel Cathedral Christmas Pontifical Sung Vespers at Arundel Cathedral, Arundel.

The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker will be supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and several other local charities during her mayoral year, through various fund-raising events. 

The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund

In Guildford, the Mayors have their own long-established charity, the Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund. The fund provides vital support by granting small sums of money to help those in genuine need.

The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker will proactively support the fund in her mayoral year. 

Guildford Community Lottery 

Support the Mayor's charities and be in with a chance of winning £25,000.

 Buy a ticket (opens new window)

The Mayor holds fundraising events during the mayoral year to benefit their chosen charities.

Tickets are now on sale for the Mistletoe Ball, on 12 December at G Live.  Why not get ahead of the game and gather some friends together for a night that's sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, whilst raising funds for local charities! Get your tickets here The Mistletoe Ball (opens new window)

This year, the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker is supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and several other local charities through various fund-raising events. Details of all events can be found on the digital flyer. (PDF) [1MB]

This year's winners of the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community show the incredible dedication of volunteers across our borough.

In total, 27 individuals and organisations received a Mayor's Award for Service to the Community 2024. This award recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community.

• Philip Beddoes
• Daniel Bimson
• Mike Blundell Jones
• Sarah Brown
• Susi Brown
• Care for Guildford
• Bridget Carter-Manning
• Sue Charter
• Amran Choudhury
• Anne Concanen
• Zita Delaney - Care For Guildford
• Holly Dibdin
• Christine Hetherington
• John Hewitson
• Sally Jenkinson
• Barry Jutsum
• Katherine Lester
• Kat Mack
• Veronica Melbourne
• Jean Pankhurst
• Gordon Reid
• Julian Richards
• Janet Robins
• Jackie Smith - Care For Guildford
• David Strudwick
• Gavin Thomas
• Phylis Wigmore
• Patrick Yarnold