Cllr Donna Lumsden has taken over from out-going Mayor, Cllr Faruk Choudhury, at the annual ceremonial event held on Friday 19 May at an Extraordinary Ceremonial Council.

Cllr Lumsden has been a resident of Barking and Dagenham since 1999, with strong family and community connections in the borough. Serving as a Councillor since 2018 representing Beam Ward and then re-elected in 2022.

Since becoming a Councillor, she has served on the JNC Appointments, Salaries and Structures Panel, Overview and Scrutiny Panel, represents the borough on the Barking and Dagenham Adoption and Permanence Panel and the Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Lumsden also represents the borough on the Barking and Ilford United Charities, is a Governor at Mayesbrook Park School and is a member of the OFSTED Report Panel.

Cllr Lumsden is the Co-Chair for the JustSay Parents Forum which is the main parent and carer forum in Barking and Dagenham, who offer valuable support for parents and carers with disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN). 

Fostering and helping those with disabilities is her passion and she hopes to raise awareness for all those affected during her Mayoral year. Cllr Lumsden wishes to bring people with disabilities to the forefront to ensure they are respected and valued as active members of our community.

Children and adults with SEN need a voice and Councillor Donna Lumsden wants to be that voice.

Councillor Lumsden is a dedicated fundraiser for charitable causes and will be raising funds to support the Carers of Barking and Dagenham as her chosen charity during her Mayoral year.

Cllr Donna Lumsden said of her appointment: “It is a privilege and an honour to serve my local community as Mayor of Barking and Dagenham for 2023/24. I want to make sure that my Mayoral year is full of fun and happiness and I hope it will be an opportunity for me to engage with all members of our diverse communities, encourage love and respect for each other and celebrate our rich cultural backgrounds. I will be raising funds for Carers of Barking and Dagenham.”

Councillor Lumsden’s sister, Tovia Richards, her niece, Michaela Frantova and Councillor Sade Bright will accompany her as her Mayoresses during the Mayoral year. Her nephew Kino-Paul Heholt will accompany her as Consort.