Lord Mayor of Oxford

The Lord Mayor is the first Citizen of the City of Oxford. The first recorded Mayor of Oxford is Turchillus, 1122-1123, and mayors' names stretch in an unbroken line until 1962 when the dignity of Lord Mayor was granted to Oxford by Queen Elizabeth ll. 

Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Oxford

The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Oxford is Councillor Elise Benjamin.

The Deputy Lord Mayor is Councillor Alan Armitage.

The Sheriff of Oxford is Councillor Jean Fooks.

What are the duties of the Lord Mayor?

The Lord Mayor represents the Council at civic and ceremonial events. He/she spends a great deal of time promoting the City, the key initiatives of the City Council and supporting a wide range of Oxford based voluntary and other organisations. 

The Lord Mayor generally carries out in excess of 300 engagements each year. These engagements cover a wide spectrum of events from high profile Royal visits and leading the City's annual Remembrance Sunday service, to small community group meetings and charity events. 

The Lord Mayor also chairs meetings of full council.

The post of Lord Mayor of Oxford is different to that of the Mayor of London in that it is a ceremonial post carrying no political power. The political head of the City Council is the Leader of the Council. 

How is the Lord Mayor Chosen?

The Lord Mayor is elected annually in May when all city councillors meet together at the Annual Meeting of Council. The Lord Mayor must be a councillor and is chosen on length of service. Each Lord Mayor's term of office is for one year, during which time he/she also continues their ward duties. 

Mayoral Invitations

The Lord Mayor welcomes invitations to attend events, no matter how small or large. If you have an event you would like the Lord Mayor to attend, please contact the Civic Office Holders' PA on 01865 252414 or Email us.

Unfortunately, due to demand, it is not possible for the Lord Mayor to attend every event to which he/she is invited. In these circumstances, it is generally possible for the Deputy Lord Mayor or the Sheriff of Oxford to attend instead.

Please view our Civic Engagements page to see the Lord Mayor's upcoming events.

Help Raise Money for Lord Mayor's Charities

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Elise Benjamin has chosen Donnington Doorstep Family Centre and People & Planet as the two charities for support during her year in Office.

Donnington Doorstep is a community-based Family Centre for children and their carers with the main aim to provide a safe, welcoming environment for anyone with young children to come freely, make friends or get support in an informal way. The centre is open-plan and accessible and offers a range of varied, creative free play and messy-play activities, and home-cooked food.   

Donnington Doorstep was set up in 1984 by local parents who found that there was nowhere to go with their children outside the hours of the local playgroup. It was the first drop in centre of its kind in Oxfordshire providing an active support group for the local community.

The charity provides a range of services including training in areas such as multi-cultural awareness, a volunteer programme, student placements and offers a holiday drop in play scheme for children aged 8 - 14 which include activities such as art and crafts, table tennis and outdoor games. 60 - 100 people from all cultures, nationalities and walks of life visit each day.

People & Planet is the largest student network in Britain campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment. The People and Planet network consists of groups at Universities, Colleges and Schools plus many other individual supporters.

People & Planet was originally called Third World First, set up in 1969 to raise money for overseas aid. The charity realised achieving widespread long term change, raising awareness and campaigning were essential.

The charity works to educate and empower students to take effective action on the root causes of social and environmental injustice and supports a network of over 20,000 student campaigners, who want to give a voice to the world's most disadvantaged citizens.

Both charities will be running their fundraising events, please visit their websites for more details.

• People & Planet website
• Donnington Doorstep website

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Elise Benjamin says:

"I believe passionately in social and environmental justice and the importance of providing a safe, stable future for the next generation, which is why I have chosen two charities that work with children and young people. Donnington Doorstep is a local charity that not only provides a safe, fun place for young children to socialise, but also supports and advises families in need.  People and Planet, a national charity based in Oxford, educates and empowers young people to work towards a better world.

"I hope to use my year in office to not only promote the valuable work my chosen charities do, but also to raise money to help them."

If you would like to help me in this work or get involved in either of these two charities or donate money to them please contact us using the details below.

Thank you for your support.

Contact Us

If you would like to help the Lord Mayor of Oxford in this work or get involved in either of these two charities or donate money to them please contact the Civic Office Holders' PA on 01865 252414 or Email us.

Page last reviewed 28 June 2011