Find out about the Mayor of Guildford

Cllr Jane Tyson is Mayor of Guildford for the municipal year 2026 to 2027.  

Jane's connection with Guildford began in 1993.  While working at Guildford Spectrum, she completed an access course at Guildford College. 

She went on to study Education and Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.  For over 30 years Jane has worked in education in a wide range of roles, championing resilience, confidence and lifelong learning.  

Cllr Tyson was Deputy Mayor for the 2025 to 2026 municipal year. She lives in Guildford with her husband and two children.   

Vision. Vitality. Voice

Connection is at the heart of how Jane works. She often describes herself as someone who brings people together to help make things happen. Her mayoral theme grows from that belief and is guided by three core values: 

• vision: seeing what's possible for Guildford's communities  
• vitality: bringing energy and momentum to the things that matter  
• voice: helping people feel heard, valued and able to express what matters to them.  

As Mayor, Jane is committed to serving the residents of Guildford and its surrounding villages with energy, openness and integrity. She aims to create spaces where people feel seen, heard and connected.

Throughout her mayoral year, she hopes to: 

• inspire resilience 
• encourage lifelong learning 
• show what becomes possible when communities work together. 

Councillor Dominique Williams is the Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2026-27.

You can follow the mayoralty on Facebook @GuildfordMayoralty

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, Jane Tyson)

✔ 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 2026/27. protocol information (PDF, 212 KB)

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

Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jane Tyson, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dominique Williams.

Monday 4 May to Sunday 17 May 2026

Wednesday 6 May

16:00             The Mayor, Councillor Jane Tyson, attends a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London.

Friday 8 May

18:30             The Mayor Chairs the Guildford Twinning Association's Annual General Meeting at St Catherine's Hall, Guildford.

Sunday 10 May

11:00             The Mayor arrives at the Guildhall, to prepare for the procession to Holy Trinity Church for the Civic Service at 11.30am.

Tuesday 12 May

09:30             The Mayor attends the Business Buzz Business Networking Event at G Live, Guildford.

14:15             The Mayor attends the Guildford Inner Wheel Club's 100^th Birthday Celebration at Normandy Village Hall, Glaziers Lane, Normandy.

17:00             The Mayor attends a briefing in the Mayor's Parlour for the Council Meeting at 19:00.

19:00             The Mayor Chairs a meeting of the Council in the Council Chamber.

Thursday 14 May

12:00             The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dominique Williams, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Woking's Ladies Lunch at The Gosling, Chertsey Road, Woking.  Funds raised from the event will go to the Mayor of Woking's chosen charities.

13:30             The Mayor attends the Alcoholics Anonymous Mid Surrey Public Information Event at the Guildhall, High Street, Guildford.

Friday 15 May

18:30             The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by her Consort, Mr Jonathan Williams, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey Districts for the Mayor of Runnymede's Spring Soiree in the Royal Gardens at The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green.  Funds from this event will go to the Mayor of Runnymede's chosen charities.

Saturday 16 May

11:00             The Mayor officially opens the CherryVale Nursery's new garden at Frimley Road, Ash Vale.

18:00             The Mayor attends the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community National Peace Symposium at Islamabad, Sheephatch Lane, Farnham.

Sunday 17 May

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

09:30             The Deputy Mayor attends the Guildford Distinguished Gentleman's Ride at the Guildhall, High Street, Guildford.

During this Mayoral year, Jane has chosen to support the following charities:

• Home-Start Guildford 

Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity supporting families with at least one child under the age of 5, living in Guildford borough. It is part of Home-Start UK, one of the UK's leading family support charities, benefitting from their policy framework and quality assurance, but not funding. 

Visit: hsguildford.org.uk

• SATRO 

SATRO work to raise young people's aspirations, build their confidence and develop skills ready for work. 

Visit: www.satro.org.uk 

• The Mayor of Guildford's Local Support Fund 

This fund provides vital financial support to residents experiencing difficult circumstances. Throughout Jane's mayoral year, she will be working hard to raise awareness of the fund across the borough, ensuring it reaches the people who need it most.  

Email civicsecretary@guildford.gov.uk  

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

This year, the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jane Tyson 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, 544 KB)

Upcoming events

• 17 May 2026: The Big Charity Fundraising Walk with Rotary in Guildford
• Sunday 6 September 2026:  Gosdenberry - An afternoon of music in the Gosden House Walled garden with cream tea; organised by Guildford Wey Rotary 
• 7 November 2026: Guildford Wellfest, G Live
• 13 December 2025: The Mayor's Christmas Concert, organised by the Guildford Wey Rotary and the Vivace Chorus
• New Year 2027: Charity Night at The Shahin Restaurant, Woodbridge Hill, Guildford

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 27 individuals and organisations received a Mayor's Award for Service to the Community 2026. This award recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community.

• Catherine Antcliff
• Dora Blazsek-Dixon
• Dale Chambers
• Alfie Clegg
• Andrew Durry
• Mark Finn
• Friends and Trustees of Ripley School Trust
• Lawrence Heath
• Samuel Howells
• KFMH CIC (Karate for Mental Health Community Interest Company)
• Cheryl Locatelli
• Helen Lovegrove 
• Trixie Lubrano Lobianco
• Bob McShee
• Keith Meldrum
• Claire Nyland
• Maria Padfield 
• Mike Rowlands
• Linda Smith
• Neil Smith
• Janet Sutton
• Richard Trinick
• Gordon Tyerman
• David Williams
• Peter Winfield 
• Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Volunteers
• Zero Carbon Guildford 

List of previous years winners (Excel doc, 105 KB)