Lord Mayoralty

Exeter City's Lord Mayor

Councillor Rachel Lyons is the The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor 2013-2014 with Councillor Rob Hannaford as The Deputy Lord Mayor 2013-2014.  The Lord Mayor has chosen Ataxia UK as the Lord Mayor's Charity 2013 - 2014.

The Lord Mayor is elected each year from amongst the 40 Exeter City Councillors, and is supported by a Deputy Lord Mayor.  The Lord Mayor becomes non political during their year of office but the Deputy Lord Mayor remains politically active.  They have a busy engagement calendar, attending in excess of 600 functions during the year.  Each year the Lord Mayor raises money for their chosen charity and attends a variety of fundraising events - an average of £15,000 per annum is raised.

The Lord Mayor carries out the following during the year in office:

• Promotes the city through its business and community activities
• Supports local charities and community organisations by attending events
• Attends Civic events
• Raise funds for their own chosen charity

The earliest known Mayor of Exeter was William Durling in 1207-8. Until 2002, Exeter was the oldest 'Right Worshipful' Mayoralty in England and many ancient traditions and ceremonies are maintained.  Now it holds the title Lord Mayor which was awarded as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Exeter was the only city chosen by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of Her Majesty, out of the 17 that entered.  Councillor Granville Baldwin became the first Lord Mayor of Exeter on 1 May 2002 when Letters Patent were awarded to the city as part of the Queen's visit.

A list of past Mayors and Lord Mayors can be found on the Exeter Memories website.