Councillor Michael Michael has been inaugurated as the new Lord Mayor of Cardiff.
Cllr Michael is the 122nd person and the first Greek Cypriot to hold the office of Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff. He was presented with the official mayoral chains at a ceremony held at County Hall during Cardiff Council’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21st May.
A Cardiff councillor since 1997, Cllr Michael has a long and distinguished record of public service. Originally elected to represent Fairwater, he has served the Trowbridge and St Mellons ward since 2012 and has held a number of senior roles including being Cabinet Member for Transport, Economic Development and the Environment, and Chair of the Planning Committee.
Born in Lympia, Cyprus, Cllr Michael moved to Cardiff in 1961 and has dedicated his life to supporting local communities. Alongside running a successful business in Fairwater for more than five decades before his recent retirement, he has played a leading role in a wide range of community projects across the city.
Cllr Michael’s wife, Joyce, will serve as his Consort during his term of office.
The Lord Mayor has chosen City Hospice as his charity for the year. The Cardiff-based charity provides specialist palliative care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, helping people live well for as long as possible.
Over the coming year, the Lord Mayor will support fundraising for City Hospice through a range of events across the city.
Speaking at his inauguration, the new Lord Mayor said: “It is a huge honour to serve as Lord Mayor of Cardiff, a city that has been my home for over 60 years now. It’s a proud moment for me and for my family, and I’m look forward to meeting residents from across the city in the year ahead, and supporting my chosen charity, City Hospice.
“The work City Hospice do to support patients and families at the most difficult times in their lives is truly invaluable, and I hope we can raise both awareness and vital funds to support their services.”
City Hospice Chief Executive, Dr Liz Booyse, said: “We are delighted that the Lord Mayor, Councillor Michael Michael has chosen City Hospice as the charity he wishes to support. As Cardiff’s local hospice we care for patients and their families across our city through some of the most difficult times, and we are excited to hear of his plans to help raise awareness and vital funds to support our work. We wish Councillor Michael every success in his year in office.”
Throughout his mayoral year, Cllr Michael will attend civic engagements and community events across Cardiff, championing the work of local organisations and celebrating the city’s diverse communities.
Cllr Sue Lent has been appointed as Deputy Lord Mayor. Originally from Manchester, Cllr Lent moved to Cardiff to study before going on to work as a childcare social worker.
Originally serving on South Glamorgan Council, and then Cardiff Council after local government reorganisation, from 1989 until 2004, Cllr Lent is now in her second spell as a Councillor, having been elected to Cardiff Council in 2012. From 2014 until 2017 Cllr Lent was Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council.
Cllr Lent said: “Being appointed as its Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff is a proud moment for me. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of the groups, organisations and people who make our city such a great place to live.”
One of the original Greenham Women, in 1981 Cllr Lent walked from Cardiff to RAF Greenham Common with the eldest of her three children, who was then a baby to protest against the placement of American nuclear cruise missiles at the site.
Currently chair of Governors at Howardian Primary School, Cllr Lent is also a member of “Cor Cochion Caerdydd”, a campaigning Socialist choir and “Cor y Gleision,” a Cardiff Blues rugby choir which has gone on to compete successfully at the National Eisteddfod and other choral events.
Cllr Lent’s son Tom, who has autism and learning disabilities, will serve as consort for her year in office.
