Councillor Shaukat Ali has been sworn in as the 128th Lord Mayor of Manchester following an official Mayor Making ceremony today (May 20). With over a decade of experience since his election in 2012, Councillor Shaukat Ali has served on key committees, including Planning and Highways, Children’s Scrutiny, and Neighbourhood Services, as well as regional boards.
Shaukat Ali, who was previously Deputy Lord Mayor, will replace Councillor Carmine Grimshaw as the Lord Mayor of Manchester. During his mayoral year, he will focus on supporting children in social care and strengthening community cohesion across the city.
What does the Lord Mayor of Manchester do?
The Lord Mayor of Manchester is a ceremonial figurehead who promotes civic pride, chairs full council meetings, and represents Manchester at official functions, engagements, and charity events. Unlike the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Lord Mayor holds no political decision-making powers.
The Lord Mayor’s duties include:
- Civic Duties: Hosting and welcoming official royal visitors, foreign dignitaries, and community leaders to the city.
- Meeting Chair: Presiding over full council meetings at the Manchester City Council to ensure proceedings are conducted properly.
- Charity Leadership: Serving as the Chair of Trustees for the We Love MCR Charity, spearheading major fundraising campaigns for local communities and vulnerable groups.
- Community Representation: Attending cultural festivals, awards ceremonies, and remembrance services to show the council’s support for local organisations.
Who is the Lord Mayor of Manchester?
Born in 1965 in District Mirpur, Azad Kashmir in Pakistan, Shaukat Ali grew up in the village of Batli in Kashmir, where he completed his schooling before moving to Manchester at age 16, speaking very little English.
Once here, he worked in textile manufacturing for several years before becoming self-employed. He went on to run a furniture business, followed by a small food outlet.
Alongside this, Shaukat Ali worked for several years as a licensed taxi driver in Manchester, while studying English in the evenings and later attaining an IT diploma from City College Manchester. In 2012, he decided to enter politics and was elected a councillor for the Manchester ward of Cheetham.
He also volunteered during COVID-19 delivering food to vulnerable people in North Manchester through the Rainbow Surprise charity.
A married father of four, the new Lord Mayor enjoys cricket and countryside walks. He is supported by his wife, Kausar Parveen, who will serve as Lady Mayoress throughout his year as Lord Mayor.
“It is a great honour to serve as Lord Mayor and to represent the people of Manchester.”
Councillor Shaukat Ali, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, said: “It is a great honour to serve as Lord Mayor and to represent the people of Manchester. My early years in Pakistan, alongside my life here in Manchester, where I have made my home and raised my family, have strongly shaped my values.
“In this role, I am proud to champion our city and celebrate the diversity, resilience and community spirit that make Manchester so special. I have seen firsthand how collaboration, mutual respect and hard work can bring people together and make a positive difference.
“With the continued support of my family and the people of Manchester, I look forward to supporting communities, promoting the city, and recognising the many organisations and individuals who contribute so much to its success.”