News Maidstone has a new Mayor
The new Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Perry was elected at the Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 18 May.
The AGM was held at Maidstone Town Hall when John received his chain of office from outgoing Mayor, Cllr Gordon Newton.
Cllr Perry is married with three sons and four grandchildren. He has lived in Kent for most of his life and moved to Staplehurst in 2006.
John is a Chartered Certified Accountant with an honour’s degree in History and Classics and an MBA from one of the UK’s leading business schools. John has worked in both the private and public sectors and has acted as an advisor to both the UK Government and Foreign Governments on the funding and financing of air navigation systems. He currently runs a consultancy company, which continues to provide economic and financial advice in this field.
He joined the Staplehurst Parish Council in 2007 and was appointed Chairman in 2010. In 2014 he was elected to Maidstone Borough Council as one of the two Ward Members for Staplehurst and was appointed to the Cabinet with responsibility for Community and Leisure Services, John served as Chairman of the Planning Committee for 2016/17 and as Chairman of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee for 2021/22. He was Leader of the Conservative Group at Maidstone Borough Council from 2017 to 2021 and Deputy Leader of the Council from 2022 to 2023. He has been Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, which includes the Council’s finances, from 2022 until 2024.
The Mayor continues to be an active Member of Staplehurst Parish Council and is currently its Vice-Chairman. He is also a Trustee of the Friends of All Saints Church Staplehurst.
Commenting on becoming Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Perry said:
“It is a great honour to represent the Borough Council and residents as the new Mayor. I will enjoy meeting organisations, charities and as many people as I can from across the borough during the year and will look forward to promoting Maidstone at every opportunity."
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As part of his Mayoral duties John will be required to attend civic and ceremonial functions on behalf of the Council with preference being given to local organisations and to events within the borough. John welcomes invitations from people across Maidstone. Anyone who would like to invite the Mayor to attend an event should apply on line: Maidstone Mayor