Last updated on 24 May 2025
Councillor Noel Hadjimichael was appointed as the 191st Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston at Annual Council on 13th May 2025. Having lived in Kingston since emigrating from Australia in March 2016, Councillor Hadjimichael has been a councillor for Canbury Gardens Ward since May 2022. He has served as both a portfolio holder and chaired the Health Overview Panel during his time as a councillor.
Councillor Hadjimichael is a former Naval Officer, Lawyer and Charity CEO and spends his time away from Kingston Council chairing a defence & security think tank in central London, as well as volunteering on HMS Belfast for the Imperial War Museum.
His wife, Carol, is a lawyer in the City of London. All of their adult children currently live in Australia. On his appointment as Mayor, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael said: “I am thrilled and humbled at being Kingston’s Mayor following so many who have given service to community, commerce, charity and our nation in both times of peace and periods of conflict.”
“It is important that communities such as Chessington feel part of the bigger and broader Kingston story: we have made this history together and have much to be proud of.”
“My life journey has involved working with others as part of something both meaningful and offering impact: the armed forces, education, enterprise, think tanks and charities. It will be my privilege to help those living in, working within and engaging with the Royal Borough of Kingston to be the best version of themselves.”
Councillor Sue Ansari, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hook and Chessington North, was appointed as Deputy Mayor on 13th May 2025. Councillor Ansari is the Disability Champion for the borough and facilitates relaxation and wellness sessions for the Disability and Wellness Network, with one of her passions being helping people to manage anxiety brought on through physical or emotional pain.
Prior to her involvement in therapy, Councillor Ansari’s main career was in education, initially in administration and finance support and later as a teacher of maths and English. On her appointment as Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Ansari said: “I am very much looking forward to my year as Deputy Mayor of our Royal Borough. Soon after being elected as a councillor in North Chessington and Hook in 2022, I was delighted to be offered the role of Disability Champion for the borough. This role is tremendously important to me, as I see it as an opportunity to repay the many forms of help I have received in dealing with my own health challenges.”
“As such, I hope to use my term as Deputy Mayor to raise awareness around the RBK ShopMobility Service, which offers marvellous ways of getting around our lovely town and beautiful riverside, as well as promoting general awareness of the needs of residents with disabilities throughout the borough.”