Kensington and Chelsea ushers in new Mayor

Kensington and Chelsea has ushered in a new mayor after an annual council vote on Wednesday.

Councillor Tom Bennett was elected as Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea for 2025-26, taking over the position from cllr Will Lane.

Mayor Bennett said: “It is an enormous honour to be elected by my colleagues to represent our borough as Mayor. 

“We are lucky to have so many amazing organisations and community groups across our borough, and I can’t wait to meet as many as possible. My themes for the year are civic pride, civic unity, and civic joy, and I will do everything I can to help foster those in RBKC.”

Following his election, cllr Bennett confirmed London’s Air Ambulance Charity as his Mayoral Charity for the year.

Chief executive of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, Jonathan Jenkins said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Tom Bennett for selecting us as his Mayoral Charity. This support arrives at a crucial moment, as we continue our work to transform the future of pre-hospital care in London.

“The people of this city are our greatest asset and their continued support helps us bring more complex care to the roadside, save more lives and shape the future of trauma medicine, here in London and around the world.”

The role of deputy mayor was handed to cllr Aarien Areti, who has represented Holland ward since May 2018.

Mayor Bennett was first elected as cllr for Redcliffe ward in Kensington and Chelsea in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. 

Since then, he has served the council as Chairman of the Environment Select Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.

Tom moved to Kensington and Chelsea with his now wife, Beatrice, in 2013, and have since welcomed a daughter, Aurelia, and a son, Lorenzo, both born in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

For more information visit: Your Mayor /  The role of Mayor /  Invite the Mayor to your event

Pictured top: Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea cllr Tom Bennett (Picture: Kensington and Chelsea council)