Find out about the Mayor of Guildford

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.

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, 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]

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

Monday 6 May to Sunday 19 May 2024

Wednesday 8 May

12:00             The Mayor, Councillor Masuk Miah, Chairs the Annual Meeting of Guildford Borough Council at the Guildhall, at which the Mayor elect, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, will be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/2025 and Councillor Howard Smith elected as Deputy Mayor of Guildford.

Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith

Thursday 9 May

10:45              The Mayor, Councillor Sallie Barker, attends Guildford Borough Council's Opening of new play equipment at Stoke Park, Guildford.

Friday 10 May

12:00             The Mayor attends Guildford's 12 Step Recovery Fair at Guildford United Reformed Church, Portsmouth Road, Guildford.

Saturday 11 May

11:00             The Mayor attends the Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy Angel Accent at Guildford Cathedral.

19:15             The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Smith, attends the Army Benevolent Fund Jazz Evening at Milford Village Hall, Milford, Godalming.

Sunday 12 May

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

Thursday 16 May

18:00              The Deputy Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Debbie Smith, attends the Surrey & Borders NHS Partnership Trust Staff Awards Ceremony at the Guildford Harbour Hotel.

19:30              The Mayor attends The Matrix Trust Dinner Night at Wates House at the University of Surrey, Guildford.

Friday 17 May

18:00              The Mayor, accompanied by her Consort, Mr Philip Collier, joins the Mayors and Chairmen of the Surrey District, for the Chairman of Mole Valley District Council's Dinner at Tyrrells Wood Golf Club, Leatherhead.

Saturday 18 May

19:10              The Mayor attends the performance of Verdi Requiem by Vivace Chorus and Liverpool Welsh Choral Society at G Live, Guildford.

Sunday 19 May

09:15              The Mayor attends the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey Annual Charity Walk at Shalford Park, Shalford.

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.

 Buy a ticket (opens new window)

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).

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 2024. This award recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community.

• Philip Beddoes
• Daniel Bimson
• Mike Blundell Jones
• Sarah Brown
• Susi Brown, Care for Guildford
• Bridget Carter-Manning
• Sue Charter
• Amran Choudhury
• Anne Concanen
• Zita Delaney, Care For Guildford
• Holly Dibdin
• Christine Hetherington
• John Hewitson
• Sally Jenkinson
• Barry Jutsum
• Katherine Lester
• Kat Mack
• Veronica Melbourne
• Jean Pankhurst
• Gordon Reid
• Julian Richards
• Janet Robins
• Jackie Smith, Care For Guildford
• David Strudwick
• Gavin Thomas
• Phylis Wigmore
• Patrick Yarnold