Find out about the Mayor of Guildford

Councillor Howard Smith is the Mayor of Guildford for 2025-26

Howard has been a councillor of Westborough Ward since May 2023 and was Deputy Mayor for 2024-25.

About Howard

Howard was born in Guildford and grew up in Jacobs Well attending Weyfield Primary school followed by George Abbot. At fifteen he decided he wanted to be a drummer, and that path began with a school band and eventually to the group The Vapors. Their success in the 1980s led to appearances on Top of the Pops and tours of Australia and America. They had a worldwide hit with the song 'Turning Japanese'.

The group disbanded but Howard chose to stay in the music business. He rose to become senior manager of the membership division at The Performing Right Society in London. Growing tired of being office bound every day, he moved back to Guildford. He's since run a record shop and now promotes live music around the town. 

Howard is married to Debbie, and they have two young children.

As mayor of his hometown, Howard is keen to use the knowledge, experiences, and skills he has gained to benefit the residents in Guildford and surrounding villages.

Chosen charities

In line with Howard's passion for music, he has chosen to support The Cheryl King Trust (opens new window) during his Mayoral year.  He hopes that his support will help them to ensure that no young person in Surrey is unable to learn a musical instrument because either:

• their parents can't afford it
• musical opportunity is limited at their school

He will also be supporting Guildford Shakespeare Company (opens new window) with their outreach and educational projects. 

And finally, having been so impressed by the vital service being provided by The Beacon Centre in Guildford, Howard will be raising awareness and supporting the Phyllis Tuckwell-Living Well Service (opens new window).

Deputy Mayor

Councillor Jane Tyson is the Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2025-26.

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.

Find out more about how to book the Mayor for your event and apply online.

Request the Mayor's attendance for your event

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, Howard Smith)

✔ 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 'Mr Mayor'. Or in the case of a female Mayor - Madam 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 2025/26. protocol information (PDF, 209 KB)

If you have any queries about future events, email civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk.
 

Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Howard Smith, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jane Tyson

Friday 9 May to Sunday 25 May 2025

Friday 9 May

09:30             The Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith, attends the North Street Regeneration 1^st Phase Commencement Ceremony at All Bar One, North Street, Guildford.

10:00             The Mayor attends the Guildford Twinning Association Reception to welcome visitors from Freiburg's Anglo German Club at Guildford Museum, Quarry Street, Guildford.

18:30             The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Debbie Smith, attends the Guildford Twinning Association Members Dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant, University of Surrey, Guildford.

Sunday 11 May

14:45             The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the County Service to mark the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day at Guildford Cathedral.

Tuesday 13 May

19:15             The Mayor attends the St John Ambulance & NHS Organ Donor Service Awards at the Guildhall, Guildford.

Thursday 15 May

09:50             The Mayor attends the Guildford Poyle Charities' Dicing Ceremony at the Guildhall, Guildford.

Friday 16 May

19:15             The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the 25^th Anniversary of the Matrix Trust Masquerade Ball at Manor Farm Tithe Barn, Manor House Lane, Little Bookham.

Sunday 17 May

09:00             The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey Annual Charity Walk at Shalford Park, Shalford.

10:00             The Deputy Mayor attends the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride at the Guildhall, Guildford.

Tuesday 20 May

15:00             The Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attends a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London.

The Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith will be supporting The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund and several other local charities during his 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 Howard Smith  will proactively 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.

 Buy a ticket (opens new window)

The Mayor holds fundraising events during the mayoral year to benefit their chosen charities.

This year, the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Howard Smith 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, 446 KB)

This year's winners of the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community show the incredible dedication of volunteers across our borough.

In total 23 individuals and organisations received a Mayor's Award for Service to the Community 2025. This award recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community.

At the special award ceremony for recipients, outgoing Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE said:

"We are very fortunate that our borough is home to so many people who are happy to give their time freely to support a local need. You do what you do without need for public recognition, but these awards demonstrate that it does not go unnoticed. It was truly heartwarming to read the nominations."

• Andy's Man Club
• Caroline Calver
• Verity Cassar
• Jennie Cliff
• Robert Creer
• Martin Foran
• Kate Gallagher
• Elizabeth (Liza) Gane
• Guildford Shakespeare Company
• Hear Here Clinics volunteer group
• Craig Hills
• Horsley Repair Café
• Chris How
• Darren Ingall
• Liam Keen
• Jane Lyons
• Claire McCann
• Jane Nind
• Dave Pascoe
• Ripley Green Team
• Nicky Secrett
• Mark Silcock
• Volunteer Chaplaincy Project