Councillor Aaron Regisford has been appointed as the new Speaker of Lewisham Council, with Councillor Hibaaq Aden taking on the role of Deputy Speaker. The appointments were confirmed at a full Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The Speaker of Lewisham Council presides over meetings, ensuring they are conducted lawfully and efficiently while maintaining impartiality. The role also involves being the ceremonial public face of the Council and the First Citizen of the borough.
Both councillors expressed their honour in taking on these significant roles and highlighted the importance of setting a positive example for young people. Councillor Regisford stated, It really is an honour to take a position like this to show people who look like me that they can aspire to something like this, to set an example to young people.
Councillor Aden was elected as Deputy Speaker, and both officeholders will serve for the municipal year 2026/27. The election process for Speaker and Deputy Speaker involves nominations, with candidates declared elected if there are no other nominations.
Councillor Regisford also acknowledged the outgoing Speaker, Councillor Jacq Paschoud, for her service. Councillor Paschoud, who served as Speaker for the last two years and previously from 2018 to 2020, reflected on her time in the role. Her tenure included welcoming hundreds of new citizens at ceremonies, participating in the New Year's Day parade, celebrating centenarian birthdays, and a poignant commemoration of the end of World War I in 2018 with a fall of poppies at the Broadway theatre. She emphasised her commitment to showing residents their importance to the council, stating, I've reminded them often that when I visit them in this, it's because they are important, not because I am important.
Further details regarding the council meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.
