Luton Borough Council

27/06/2025 - New Mayor and Deputy Mayor officially appointed

Luton’s new Mayor Councillor Amy Nicholls and Deputy Mayor Councillor Shahanara Naser were officially appointed in a ceremony held in the council chamber last night, 26 June 2025.

Councillor Amy Nicholls, who represents the Northwell ward, has served as a councillor since 2018. Born and raised in Luton, she describes the Mayoral role as a unique opportunity to give back to the town she calls home.

Making history as Luton’s first openly LGBTQ+ Mayor, Councillor Nicholls also wants to use her term in office to champion inclusion and stand up for all marginalised communities in Luton that continue to face discrimination and exclusion.

Commenting on her appointment, Councillor Nicholls said: “To represent Luton as Mayor is both a privilege and an honour.

“We are one of the youngest and most diverse towns in the UK, with 36% of residents under the age of 25. That youthful energy and rich diversity are some of our greatest strengths. Yet, there are communities in Luton who still sadly face exclusion and hate.

“As Mayor, I will proudly use my platform to give voice to those often overlooked and to build upon our ‘Luton: No Place for Hate’ campaign – working to ensure that every resident feels safe, valued and heard.”

In line with her commitment to public service, the Mayor has chosen to support three local charities during her term in office; Luton, South Beds and Harpenden Samaritans, Luton Community First Responders, and the Bedfordshire branch of the Fire Fighters Charity.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Shahanara Naser has called Luton home for over a decade. With a background in public health, social care, and community development, she brings extensive experience from her work in the NHS and over 20 years as a professional interpreter in the public sector.

Beyond her professional work, the Deputy Mayor is a proud mother of three children and spends a significant part of her spare time volunteering across a range of local community centres, schools and cultural organisations.

A passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing, Councillor Naser is committed to working alongside the Mayor to serve all Lutonians “with integrity and compassion, no matter what their background” and to help deliver Luton’s 2040 vision of a healthy, fair and sustainable town.