Last updated on 19 June 2026
Councillor Thay Thayalan has been appointed the 192nd Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, following the Annual Council meeting in May 2026.
Cllr Thayalan has called Kingston home for 50 years. Born in Sri Lanka, he came to the UK as an international student in 1970, qualifying as an Electronic Engineer and spending more than four decades in the computer industry. Alongside his professional career, he has devoted much of his life to voluntary and community work.
First elected as a councillor for Tolworth in 2014 and re elected in 2018, 2022 and 2026, he previously served as Mayor in 2018–19. During that time, he championed diversity, youth empowerment, emotional wellbeing and community cohesion. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was widely recognised – from helping to set up a borough wide network of street champions, to supporting food banks, promoting vaccine confidence and hosting virtual forums to reduce isolation.
Cllr Thayalan has long been a driving force for equality and inclusion in Kingston. He helped establish the ITC Tamil Centre in 1986, supporting more than 250 children with supplementary education in language, arts and culture. He also co-founded the Kingston Race and Equalities Council, played a key role in launching Kingston Carnival, and helped create Global Arts Kingston to celebrate the borough’s cultural diversity. His contributions have been recognised with the Kingston Mayor’s Award for Community Service and the Liberal Democrat President’s Award for his work on anti-racism and equality.
Deputy Mayor: Councillor Jane Lim
Supporting him this year is Councillor Jane Lim, newly elected for Tolworth Ward in May 2026. With a background spanning classical music, law and public affairs, she is passionate about community engagement, diversity and international collaboration. Jane is known for building strong partnerships across local groups, schools, businesses and cultural organisations, and for her work strengthening links between the UK and Asia through education and cultural exchange.
Together, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor bring decades of community service, cultural leadership and a shared commitment to inclusion and connection across the borough.