Southampton's 801st Right Worshipful Mayor, and second Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent, was sworn in at a 'Mayor Making' ceremony on Wednesday 17 May 2023.
A series of special Lord Mayor events in support of the Lord Mayor's chosen charities will take place through the year. You can find out more about these below.
Lord Mayor Valerie Laurent
Councillor Laurent became the 801st Mayor and second Lord Mayor of Southampton on Wednesday 17 May 2023 following her year as Sheriff of the City.
Lord Mayor Valerie Laurent
Lord Mayor Laurent’s chosen charities are Oasis Southampton City Farm, Southampton Sea Cadets and Saints Foundation.
Sheriff Dave Shields
Councillor Shields takes on the role of 586th Sheriff of Southampton.
Honorary Admiral of the Port
The Lord Mayor of Southampton is the Honorary Admiral of the Port.
Originally Maritime trade and domestic maritime problems were handled by common law. This was until the 14th century, when local customs started to be relied on to deal with these matters. Over time maritime law and jurisdiction developed in boroughs which were home to ports, such as Southampton.
Southampton is where, it is said, the first admiralty courts were held, soon after Henry VI’s specific grant in 1451.
These honours were bestowed to acknowledge the tremendous contribution the port had made to the country by "the eminence it had attained in overseas trade" and the Lord Mayors "Admiralty Jurisdiction" extended from Hurst Castle in the West to Langstone on the East - and included Portsmouth. Power was given to the mayor to exercise all the functions of Admiral of England within the town and port of Southampton.
As Admiral of the Port, the Lord Mayor also has their own flag, a traditional Admirals Flag of red St. George’s Cross on a white background with a black anchor motif in the canton.
Invite the Lord Mayor to your engagement
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Before you start
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This diary is updated regularly and every effort is made to ensure all events are accurate and up to date. However, some events and dates may be changed at the last minute, therefore we apologise for any inconvenience caused in such cases.
Friday 3 May
Lord Mayor attending Queen Anne Plaque Ceremony
Lord Mayor attending Fathoming the Future Maritime Archaeology Trust Event
Saturday 4 May
Lord Mayor attending Exhibition Harbour Lights Cinema
Sunday 5 May
Lord Mayor Charity Rogation Day on Shieldhall
Tuesday 7 May
Lord Mayor attending Citizenship Ceremonies in the Civic
Wednesday 8 May
Lord Mayor attending Royal Garden Party
Thursday 9 May
Lord Mayor visiting Southampton (Old) Cemetery for a Tour
Saturday 11 May
Lord Mayor attending ‘Love where you Live’ Event
Lord Mayor attending Polish Heritage Day
Sunday 12 May
Lord Mayor attending an event at Blighmont Barracks
Tuesday 14 May
Lord Mayor attending Portsmouth Mayor Making
Wednesday 15 May
AGM and Mayor Making
Thursday 16 May
Citizenship Ceremonies
Saturday 18 May
Lord Mayor attending a performance at the Gantry Youth Theatre
Lord Mayor attending City of Southampton Orchestra Concert
Sunday 19 May
Lord Mayor attending South Indian Food Festival
Friday 24 May
Lord Mayor attending 85 Birthday Celebration of Cobbett Road Library
Wednesday 25 May
Lord Mayor attending Indian Goan and Mangalorean Community event
Thursday 30 May
Lord Mayor attending an Exhibition at Gods House Tower
Friday 31 May
Lord Mayor attending Southampton JCP Sustainable Fashion Show
Sheriff's diary summarySHOW
This diary is updated regularly and every effort is made to ensure all events are accurate and up to date. However, some events and dates may be changed at the last minute, therefore we apologise for any inconvenience caused in such cases.
Friday 3 May
Sheriff attending HMS Collingwood Ceremonial Divisions
Thursday 9 May
Sheriff attending BlueStar 16 Bus Launch
Sheriff attending Get Inspired Southampton & New Forest at the O2 Southampton Guildhall
Saturday 11 May
Sheriff attending ‘Love where you Live’ Event
Wednesday 15 May
AGM and Mayor Making
Thursday 16 May
Citizenship Ceremonies
Saturday 18 May
Sheriff attending the Re-Opening of Holy Saviour Church
Contact details
The Lord Mayor's Office provides support for the Lord Mayor and Sheriff. The office manages their diaries and provides information and guidance for groups and organisations who wish to invite the Lord Mayor to events.