She was born was born in Birmingham but has always been proud of her father’s Welsh ancestry and has remained close to his family who live near the Ceredigion coast.
Councillor Thomas eventually chose to live in Wales and studied at the college campus in Allt-yr-yn.
She moved to Stow Hill with her two children in 2000 and worked for a housing association’s community services team, the National Autistic Society and Newport Mind, before joining Gavo in 2005.
Councillor Thomas is very proud of the work she has done as a volunteer for 20 years with Llais, (previously known as the community health council), an independent organisation that provides a voice and advocacy for users of the NHS, and recently, also social care.
She successfully stood for the first time for council in 2012, which was the last time a woman held the post of Mayor, which makes her year particularly significant.
“Newport has fantastic people, an incredible history and with features like the river, the Victorian parks and the wetlands, it is an amazing place to live, work and get out and about in,” said Councillor Thomas.
“We have so much to be proud of; Newport is growing and its people are great!”
She is deeply honoured to represent the people of our city in the role of Mayor and looks forward to meeting many of the groups supporting people across the city, old friends and those who will become new friends during the coming year.
Councillor Stephen Marshall was installed as deputy mayor for 2025/2026 and his mother Sylvia will serve as deputy mayoress.
Retiring mayor Councillor Ray Mogford and mayoress Sallie Mogford were thanked for their year of service.
