Find out about the Mayor of Guildford
Meet the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Councillor Masuk Miah is the Mayor of Guildford for 2023-24.
He's been a councillor of Stoughton ward since 2019.
About Masuk
Masuk moved to Guildford in 1986 and opened his first restaurant. In this time he raised funds for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. Masuk is married to Parvin and together they have three grown up children. He enjoys taking part in sporting activities and working out at his local gym.
Since becoming a councillor, Masuk has served on several committees:
- Licensing Committee
- Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Strategy and Resources Executive Advisory Board
- Joint Executive Advisory Board
Mayor's theme
In his Mayoral year Masuk will focus on 'Serving Guildford'. He will be out and about across the borough as much as possible meeting members of the local community. He wants to help more local people come together to support one another.
The Mayor's chosen charity is The Fountain Centre. The charity supports families living with cancer.
He also supports The Mayor of Guildford's local Support Fund. It helps people facing financial problems.
Deputy Mayor
Councillor Sallie Barker MBE is the Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2023-24.
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, Mr Masuk Miah)
✔ 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 2023/24. protocol information (Word doc) [1MB]
Mayor's diary
If you have any queries about future events, email civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.
Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Masuk Miah, and Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE
Friday 12 April to Sunday 21 April 2024
Friday 12 April
10:00 The Mayor, Councillor Masuk Miah, accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Parvin Begum, attends the re-opening of Leaders Letting & Estate Agents, after refurbishment, at 229 High Street, Guildford.
Tuesday 16 April
18:00 The Mayor attends a briefing for the Extraordinary Council Meeting at 19:00
19:00 The Mayor chairs the Extraordinary Council Meeting in the Council Chamber.
Friday 19 April
18:30 The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell's Charity Night at the Bourne Hall, Ewell. Funds from this event will go to the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell's chosen charities.
Saturday 20 April
14:00 The Deputy Mayor attends the Guildford Hongkongers presentation of "In An Alternative Universe, I Don't Want To Live In The UK" performance at St Mary's Church, Quarry Street, Guildford.
Sunday 21 April
14:45 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the Guildford West Scout District's St George's Day Parade at the Guildford War Memorial, Castle Grounds, Guildford.
Monday 22 April
10:00 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the Guildford College Careers Fair at Guildford College.
Tuesday 23 April
18:30 The Deputy Mayor attends the Guildford Twinning Association's Dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant at the University of Surrey, Guildford.
Wednesday 24 April
14:30 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the Harry Edwards Foundation Launch Event at Burrows Lea, Shere.
19:15 The Mayor attends the 2024 Surrey Organ Donor Awards at the Guildhall, Guildford.
Thursday 25 April
12:30 The Deputy Mayor joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell's Civic Day, a tour of the borough of Epsom and Ewell.
14:00 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, 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..
18:30 The Mayor and Mayoress joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Elmbridge's Civic Reception at The Albury, Thames Ditton.
Friday 26 April
12:00 The Deputy Mayor attends the Choices & Decisions Workshops for students with severe and profound learning difficulties and Disabilities at Guildford College.
Saturday 27 April
14:30 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, hosts a special Award Ceremony, followed by 'afternoon tea' for recipients of the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community, at the County Club, High Street, Guildford; who kindly sponsored the event.
18:30 The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Woking's Charity Ball at Cobham Golf Club, Woking.
19:00 The Deputy Mayor attends the Re-Opening of The Hair & Beauty Bar at Dolphin House, North Street, Guildford.
The Mayor's charities
The Mayor, Councillor Masuk Miah has chosen two charities to support during his mayoral year.
The Fountain Centre
The charity supports families living with cancer.
Donate to The Fountain Centre (opens new window)
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 Masuk Miah will continue to support the fund in his 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 Mayor Councillor Masuk Miah is supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and The Fountain Centre (opens new window).
Mayor's Award for Service to the Community
Nominations for the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community 2024 are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate.