Mayor calls new role 'privilege of his life'

Imtiyaz Shaikh said he would represent all those who call Swindon home

Swindon's new mayor says it is the "privilege of his life" to be the first person of Indian and Goan heritage in the role.

First elected in 2018, Imtiyaz Shaikh has taken over as mayor after serving as deputy mayor to councillor Barbara Parry.

Mr Shaikh, Labour councillor for Eastcott, was elected to the post unanimously and appointed at a Swindon Borough Council annual meeting in front of a packed chamber.

He said: “It is the privilege of my life to be Swindon’s first Indian and Goan mayor."

"But I will be a mayor for all here and I will represent all those who call Swindon home," he added.

Imtiyaz Shaikh has become Swindon's first mayor of Indian and Goan heritage

His chosen charities are BEST – Be a Better You, which runs mentoring schemes for young people, and Changing Suits, which works to break down barriers for young people from a South Asian background, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Shaikh added: “There are many challenges in the year ahead and the council will work hard to transform Swindon."

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