The incoming Lord Mayor of Liverpool has vowed to use the theme of change to reflect his year in office.
A former social worker who grew up above a chip shop in Everton, Cllr Roy Gladden, will be sworn into the ceremonial role during a meeting of the full Liverpool Council on Wednesday. Cllr Gladden, who is in his second spell as a city councillor, represents County Ward and is the second in his family to wear the civic robes after wife and fellow councillor Roz stood on the Town Hall dais in 2016-17.
Cllr Gladden was first elected in Clubmoor in 1982, and chaired the Libraries and Arts Committee and was also Vice Chair of Social Services, serving as a councillor until 1987. He returned as member for County ward in 2010, and has chaired the culture, tourism and visitor economy select committee since 2019.
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Ahead of his swearing in ceremony later this week, the Lord Mayor-elect, Cllr Gladden, said his theme of change reflected the development of the city of Liverpool throughout his lifetime. He said: “To represent my city and its remarkable people is the proudest, yet most daunting, moment of my life.
“The city has changed beyond recognition over my lifetime, from a city of largely manufacturing jobs, to the dreadful slump and unemployment of the 1980’s. Liverpool is now reborn and is developing its strength as an outward looking, regenerating city which needs tourism at its heart.
“My experience and knowledge within the culture and visitor economy select committee will enable me as Lord Mayor, to be an ambassador and represent our city to the many visitors, both national and international and display our greatest asset, our people and its history. The theme of my Lord Mayoral year will be change and I have chosen local charities which will represent how our city has changed in its perception and culture throughout my lifetime.”
Cllr Gladden who has served as Liverpool Council’s armed forces champion since 2018, will be supported by his wife Roz as Lady Mayoress. His 12-month term will support the work of four charities including Options for Supported Living, South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services, Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS) and Veterans HQ Liverpool.
Outgoing Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Mary Rasmussen, will serve as Cllr Gladden’s deputy before returning to the position in 2023. It will be only the second time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic that a Lord Mayor has served a second term, with Cllr Anna Rothery doing so in 2020.
