Leicester’s new Lord Mayor, Councillor Teresa Aldred, officially took on her new role during a formal ceremony held at the city’s Town Hall.
Cllr Aldred, who has represented the Thurncourt ward since the 2015 local elections, was sworn in as Leicester’s first citizen during a meeting of the full council last Thursday (May 15).
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
In her inaugural speech, the newly appointed Lord Mayor announced that she would dedicate her mayoral year to supporting two key health-focused charities: the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and ANDYSMANCLUB.
She will be accompanied throughout her year in office by her daughter, Libby Aldred, who will serve as Lady Mayoress. Also supporting her as consorts will be her close friend Maggie Corley and former professional boxer Rendall Munroe.
“I’m incredibly excited—and just a little nervous—to be stepping into the role of Lord Mayor,” said Cllr Aldred. “I promise to serve the people of Leicester with my whole heart.
“I’m proud to represent this beautiful city, which is so rich in diversity and culture, and has always been my home. I hope to use this year to shine a light on the many brilliant, often overlooked things happening across our community.
“I’m also deeply committed to raising awareness for the two charities I’ve chosen to support: the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, which works to prevent sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, expand access to public defibrillators, and teach life-saving skills—and ANDYSMANCLUB, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention.”
A lifelong resident of Thurnby Lodge, Cllr Aldred attended Willowbrook and St Joseph’s primary schools, followed by St Paul’s RC School and Hamilton Community College. She began her career working in elderly care while studying at Charles Frears College of Nursing and Midwifery, and later trained as a teaching assistant.
While raising her family, she became active in her local community—organizing events at Thurncourt Community Centre and helping run sessions for older residents.
Married with four children, Cllr Aldred has a lifelong passion for horses and has cared for them since childhood. Although she still keeps horses today, it’s her children who now carry on the dream. The family also enjoys travelling around England together in their motorhome.
Cllr Aldred now joins a long line of civic leaders, as the role of Lord Mayor dates back to at least 1209. The title was officially elevated from ‘Mayor of Leicester’ to ‘Lord Mayor’ in 1928.
Outgoing Lord Mayor Cllr Bhupen Dave will continue to serve the city as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2025–26, with Cllr Manjula Sood remaining in the post of High Bailiff.
