Find out about the Mayor of Guildford
Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Councillor Sallie Barker MBE is the Mayor of Guildford for 2024-25.
She's been a councillor of Pilgrims Ward since 2023 and was Deputy Mayor for 2023-2024.
About Sallie
Sallie began her commitment to public service during her teaching career. She served as an Officer in the Territorial Army for nearly 20 years. She moved to Guildford in 1988. She lives in Guildford with her partner, Phil. They enjoy the many social opportunities on offer and taking long walks in the nearby countryside.
Mayor's theme
In her Mayoral year Sallie will focus on 'Making connections for the wellbeing of our communities'. Sallie has a passion for bringing people together to work towards a common goal. She hopes that her Mayoral year will provide the perfect opportunity to do this.
She particularly wants to encourage conversations about our wellbeing. Although unable to fundraise for all the great charities in our borough, she will attend as many events as possible. Sallie will help organisations to raise their profile and to fundraise for themselves.
She will support The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund. It helps people facing financial problems. Guildford Philanthropy will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. To mark this significant anniversary, Sallie will also be helping them to raise funds.
Find out more information about the Mayor. (PDF, 1 MB)
Deputy Mayor
Councillor Howard Smith is the Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2024-25.
Role of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
A member of the council is elected to be the Mayor for the forthcoming year.
The Deputy Mayor is elected in the same way.
The Mayor, and in his or her absence the Deputy Mayor, has the following role:
- to uphold and promote the purposes of the council's constitution
- to preside over meetings of the council so that business can be carried out efficiently
- to ensure that the council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community.
- to promote public involvement in the council's activities
- to attend civic and ceremonial events
The Mayor traditionally steps back from party politics for his or her term of office.
The Mayor does not deal with complaints. To complain about a council matter, go to our complaints page.
Request the Mayor's attendance for your event
Find out more about how to book the Mayor for your event and apply online.
Plan your visit from the Mayor or Deputy Mayor
The questions and answers below will help you plan your visit from the Mayor or Deputy Mayor.
How should I introduce the Mayor at a function and how should I address him or her?
✔ When introducing the Mayor at a function, please say: "The Worshipful the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor...
(first name and last name, for example, Sallie Barker)
✔ If the Mayor is accompanied by an official escort just add "and escort, Mr or Mrs...."
✔ In the case of a male Mayor who is accompanied by his Mayoress, just add "and the Mayoress, Mrs....."
✔ Please introduce the Deputy Mayor as "The Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Councillor ...." as with the Mayor.
✔ After the first introduction, the Mayor should be addressed as 'Madam Mayor'. Or in the case of a male Mayor - Mr Mayor, and the Mayoress (where applicable) as Madam Mayoress.
✔ The Deputy Mayor should be addressed as "Madam, or Mr, Deputy Mayor". The Mayor or Deputy Mayor's Escort should simply be referred to by their name.
When does the Mayor attend an event as the First Citizen of the Borough?
The Mayor is the principal guest at any social function in the borough to which he, or she, has been invited as Mayor.
As Mayor they attend as the First Citizen of the Borough and not as a representative of the council.
What time should the Mayor arrive at a function?
The Mayor arrives five to 10 minutes before the start of a function. Unless you have requested otherwise on the bid form/information sheet.
Make sure the Mayor is met by an officer of your organisation. They can escort and introduce the Mayor to the host or guests. It is important that the host is at the event for the whole of the Mayor's visit.
Where should the Mayor be seated?
At a formal dinner, lunch etc, the Mayor traditionally sits on the immediate right of the host. The Mayor sits on the immediate right of the person presiding at a meeting, unless he, or she, is in the Chair.
What happens if the Mayor attends a church service?
At a church service, you must arrange for the Mayor to be met at the entrance to the church. The Mayor is then escorted to the front pew on the right hand side of the centre aisle. The only exception to this practice would be at a funeral service, or other private service. On these occasions, the Mayor would give up his, or her place to the family mourners and take the front pew on the left.
Can we take a photograph of the Mayor?
If you are a voluntary organisation, it is fine to take a photo of the Mayor during your event. Your organisation or club can use the images as you wish.
If a photo is to be used by a commercial organisation, you need prior written consent from the Mayor's office. This includes any reference to the Mayor in any advertising material for a company.
What if a member of the royal family is also attending our event?
The Clerk to the Lieutenancy will advise on protocol. Contact the Mayor's office for guidance by emailing civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.
What if the Deputy Mayor is representing the Mayor?
All the procedures above apply to the Deputy Mayor when attending an event on behalf of the Mayor.
Download a copy of our protocol information leaflet for 2024/25. protocol information (PDF, 216 KB)
Mayor's diary
If you have any queries about future events, email civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.
Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith
Friday 28 March to Sunday 13 April 2025
Friday 28 March
19:00 The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Debbie Smith, attends the Royal Surrey Charity's 30th Anniversary event at the Hogs Back Hotel, Farnham.
Monday 31 March
18:30 The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker, accompanied by her Consort, Mr Phil Collier, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Runnymede's Charity Italian Evening at Panillo's, Chertsey. Funds raised from this event will go to the Mayor of Runnymede's chosen charities.
18:45 The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, attends the Guildford Primary Schools Music Festival at G Live, Guildford.
Tuesday 1 April
19:00 The Mayor hosts the Guildford Shakespeare Company's Quiz Night at The Royal Oak, Guildford.
Thursday 3 April
08:30 The Mayor attends a whole school assembly at Queen Eleanor's C of E Junior School, Guildford.
13:15 The Mayor attends the Alcoholics Anonymous Public Information Awareness Day at the Guildhall, Guildford.
20:00 The Mayor attends the Shere Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting at the Tanyard Hall, Gomshall.
Friday 4 April
10:30 The Mayor joins the Guildford Town Guides for their Law and Disorder Walk, starting from Tunsgate, Guildford.
Saturday 5 April
11:00 The Mayor attends the Barchester Silverbirch House Care Home Open Day at 19 Tovey Green, Guildford.
13:00 The Mayor hosts Guildford's first Diversity Show at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford. Tickets are still available here: The Mayor of Guildford's Diversity Show
18:30 The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell's Charity Ball at Epsom College, Epsom.
Wednesday 9 April
17:00 The Mayor attends the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust Awards Ceremony at Wotton House, Dorking.
Thursday 10 April
15:00 The Mayor hosts a special reception at the Guildhall to thank the Chairmen and Clerks of Guildford's 23 Parish Councils for their hard work and commitment throughout the year.
Saturday 12 April
09:45 The Mayor attends the Friends of Horsley Station Celebrate 140 Years of Horsley Station at Horsley Railway Station, East Horsley.
Sunday 13 April
11:00 The Mayor attends the Guildford Lions Classic Car Display in the High Street, Guildford.
The Mayor's charities
The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker will be supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and several other local charities during her mayoral year, through various fund-raising events.
The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund
In Guildford, the Mayors have their own long-established charity, the Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund. The fund provides vital support by granting small sums of money to help those in genuine need.
The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker will proactively support the fund in her mayoral year.
Guildford Community Lottery
Support the Mayor's charities and be in with a chance of winning £25,000.
Mayor's fundraising events
The Mayor holds fundraising events during the mayoral year to benefit their chosen charities.
This year, the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker is supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and several other local charities through various fund-raising events. Details of all events can be found on the digital flyer. (PDF, 1 MB)
Mayor's Award for Service to the Community
Nominations are now closed for the Mayors Award for Service to the Community. Thank you to everyone that has submitted a nomination