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 13 September to Sunday 29 September 2024

Friday 13 September

18:00             The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker, accompanied by her Consort, Mr Phil Collier, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Runnymede's Summer Evening in the Royal Garden at The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green.

Sunday 15 September

10:30             The Mayor officially opens the Challengers' Orange Aid Event at Challengers Guildford Playcentre, Guildford.

12:00             The Mayor, accompanied by her Consort, attends the Hogs Back Brewery Hop Harvest Festival at The Street, Tongham.

12:00             The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Debbie Smith, attends the Challengers' Orange Aid Event at Challengers Guildford Playcentre, Guildford.

14:45             The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress join the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Farnham's Civic Service at St Andrew's Church, Farnham.

Thursday 19 September

14:50             The Mayor attends Home Start Guildford's Review Meeting at The County Club, High Street, Guildford.

19:20             The Mayor attends the Worplesdon Parish Council Meeting at Saxton, Parklands, Guildford.

Friday 20 September

11:45             The Mayor attends the Puttenham Parish Council's official opening of the Community Transport Hub at Stile Cottage, Guildford.

Saturday 21 September

11:00             The Mayor attends the Pride in Surrey LGBTQ+ Pride Parade from the balcony of the Guildhall, Guildford.

19:15             The Mayor, accompanied by her Consort, Mr Philip Collier, attends the Surrey Police Band 'A Night at the Proms' Concert at Normandy Village Hall, Normandy, Guildford.

Sunday 22 September

12:00             The Mayor attends the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey's Lunch at the Guildford Masonic Centre, followed by the Service of Thanksgiving at Guildford Cathedral.

Wednesday 25 September

10:15             The Mayor attends the Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Event a Luxford Farm, Broad Street Common, Guildford.

13:00             The Mayor attends The Ashes Good Neighbour Scheme at Ash Parish Council, Ash.

15:50             The Mayor attends the West Horsley Place Trust Sensory Garden Opening Party at West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, West Horsley.

Thursday 26 September

17:20             The Mayor attends the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Annual Members' Meeting in the Lecture Theatre at the Education Centre at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford.

Friday 27 September

14:30             The Mayor attends the Surrey County Council's Surrey Nature Day VIP Preview at West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, West Horsley.

Saturday 28 September

11:45             The Mayor attends the Guildford Theatre School Theatre Classes at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Churchyard, Guildford.

19:00             The Mayor attends the Fountain Centre Fashion Show at the Guildford Harbour Hotel, Alexandra Terrace, Guildford.

Sunday 29 September

10:45             The Mayor attends Guildford Borough Council's Guildford Cleaner Air Day at the Guildhall, Guildford.

14:15             The Mayor attends the Home Counties Carers Silver Sunday Vintage Afternoon Tea Party at 222 Epsom Road, Merrow.

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.

This year Mayor 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