Richmond Council Appoints New Leader and Deputy Leaders

20 May 2026

Richmond Council has appointed its new Leader and Deputy Leaders following the annual council meeting held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The Liberal Democrats hold all 54 seats on the council, a situation described as historic and completely uncharted territory in recent memory, which ensured the party secured all leadership positions.

Councillor Gareth Roberts was elected as the Leader of the Council. He will be supported by Councillor Alex Ayman and Councillor Jim Millard, who were appointed as Joint Deputy Leaders. Councillor Jim Millard will also serve as the Finance and Resources Lead Member.

In his acceptance speech, Councillor Roberts outlined several key directions for the council. A constitutional amendment will be brought forward at the next Full Council meeting in July to allow for party political questions. The council will also explore appointing an external chair for the Audit and Standards Committee and review governance to ensure more voices are heard. Additionally, the borough will appropriately mark the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough. Councillor Roberts emphasized the need to deliver on the council's manifesto, with decisions to be made on a case-by-case basis, trusting councillors to use their own judgment.

Councillor Gareth Roberts proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Penelope Frost and her consort. Councillor John Coombs, Vice-chair of the Planning Committee and Spokesperson for Arts, seconded the motion.

Councillor Frost reflected on her year in office, describing it as absolutely amazing and enormous fun, having attended getting on for 300 events. Key achievements included reaffirming twinning vows with Fontainebleau and Constance, and successful charity fundraising. A minor challenge mentioned was the temporary loss of their driver, necessitating reliance on taxi services.

The full details of the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack.

Councils Involved

Richmond upon Thames

Meetings Involved

the Council of Richmond upon Thames Council on 19 May 2026

People Involved

Councillor Piers Allen Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board • Liberal Democrat Party • West Twickenham

Councillor Richard Baker Liberal Democrat Party • Teddington

Councillor Nancy Baldwin Vice-chair of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee (Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector) • Liberal Democrat Party • North Richmond

Councillor Carey Bishop Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton North

Councillor Michael Butlin Armed Forces Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • South Twickenham

Councillor Julia Cambridge Chair of Education and Children's Services Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • East Sheen

Councillor Jonathan Cardy Chair of the Planning Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Councillor James Chard Vice-Chair Transport & Air Quality Committee. • Liberal Democrat Party • Twickenham Riverside

Councillor John Coombs Vice-chair of the Planning Committee, Spokesperson for Arts • Liberal Democrat Party • Heathfield

Councillor Sam Dalton Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton

Councillor Margaret Dane Disability Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • East Sheen

Councillor Jeremy Davis Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton North

Councillor Alexander Ehmann Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • St Margarets and North Twickenham

Councillor Charlie Engel Vice-chair, Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • Teddington

Councillor Penelope Frost Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames • Liberal Democrat Party • Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Elizabeth Gant Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton North

Councillor Phil Giesler Business and Growth Lead Member • Liberal Democrat Party • Teddington

Councillor Andy Hale Liberal Democrat Party • Barnes

Councillor Matthew Hull Liberal Democrat Party • Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Councillor Jo Humphreys Liberal Democrat Party • Whitton

Councillor Alan Juriansz Vice-Chair, Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee and Lead Member for Sport • Liberal Democrat Party • West Twickenham

Councillor Rhi Lee Liberal Democrat Party • South Twickenham

Councillor Katie Mansfield Richmond Town Centre Project Lead Member and White Ribbon Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • St Margarets and North Twickenham

Councillor Anton McNulty-Howard Liberal Democrat Party • Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Jim Millard Deputy Leader and Finance and Resources Lead Member • Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts Deputy Leader and Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • Twickenham Riverside

Councillor Lesley Pollesche Liberal Democrat Party • Heathfield

Councillor Richard Pyne Liberal Democrat Party • North Richmond

Councillor Gareth Roberts Leader of the Council • Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton

Councillor Fiona Sacks Sanctuary Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • Barnes

Councillor Kuldev Sehra Liberal Democrat Party • Whitton

Councillor Chris Varley Lead Member for Housing and Vice-Chair Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee • Liberal Democrat Party • South Richmond

Councillor Paulina Vassileva Tenants’ Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • South Richmond

Councillor Clare Vollum Deputy Mayor and Dementia Champion • Liberal Democrat Party • Kew

Councillor Richard Warren Chair of Policy and Performance Review Board • Liberal Democrat Party • North Richmond

Councillor Michael Wilson Liberal Democrat Party • Heathfield

Councillor Helen Baxter • Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Councillor Kelvin Cheatle • Liberal Democrat Party • Kew

Councillor Massimo Chiesa • Liberal Democrat Party • South Richmond

Councillor Geri Cox • Liberal Democrat Party • Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Michael Dingemans • Liberal Democrat Party • Mortlake and Barnes Common

Councillor Andrew Duncan • Liberal Democrat Party • Twickenham Riverside

Councillor Maureen Goldthorpe • Liberal Democrat Party • Kew

Councillor Jack Clothier Jones • Liberal Democrat Party • South Twickenham

Councillor Seamus Joyce • Liberal Democrat Party • Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Dermot Kelly • Liberal Democrat Party • Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Councillor Nick Kennerley • Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton

Councillor Dr Mohsin Khan • Liberal Democrat Party • East Sheen

Councillor Nathanael MacDonald • Liberal Democrat Party • Whitton

Councillor Maria Margiotta • Liberal Democrat Party • St Margarets and North Twickenham

Councillor Duncan Rasor • Liberal Democrat Party • Barnes

Councillor Rachel Robertson • Liberal Democrat Party • West Twickenham

Councillor Liz Tidhar • Liberal Democrat Party • Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Councillor Matthew Wherry • Liberal Democrat Party • Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Topics

Leader of the Council Joint Deputy Leaders Councillor Gareth Roberts Alex Ayman Councillor John Coombs Councillor Jim Millard