New Mayor of Swale
Published
Tuesday 27 May, 2025
Updated
Tuesday 27 May, 2025
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Swale for the next civic year have been appointed this month.
Swale Borough Council Councillors elected Cllr Karen Watson as Mayor and Cllr Derek Carnell as Deputy Mayor, at annual council on 14 May.
During the Mayor making process Cllr Ben Martin, the retiring Mayor, removed his badge of office and the Sergeant at Mace placed the chains of office onto the new Mayor.
Cllr Watson announced SATEDA and Cancer Research UK as the mayor’s charities that will receive the funds raised from the mayoral events throughout the civic year.
The mayor also named their cadet; Corporal Cissy Hayes, who attends Sheppey Squadron Air Cadets.
Cllr Karen Watson, Mayor of Swale, said:
“I hope this mayoral year will be one of respect for others, community unity, hope, tolerance and joy, and I will do everything within my power to share and promote these values.
“You have my word that I will serve this council and our residents with all my heart and soul, and I look forward to learning a lot more about the wonderful borough of Swale.
“I have chosen two charities that are very close to my heart - SATEDA and Cancer Research UK – who both do such incredible work for our community.
“I would like to thank Ben for his work over the past year and for being a great example of all that the Mayor of Swale can be.”
Cllr Ben Martin, the retiring mayor, said:
“It has been an honour to serve the people of Swale this year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as mayor.
“Karen has been a fantastic deputy mayor throughout my time as mayor, and I am confident she will be an excellent Mayor of Swale.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make my year as mayor such a success - to everyone who helped me put on events to fundraise for my charities, and, of course, to all the residents who supported them.
“Just a few highlights include the mayor’s cycle for charity across Europe, the first Swale women’s team rugby match and being able to award our local heroes at the Civic Awards.”
