Mayor of Dacorum
The Mayor of Dacorum for 2022-2023: Councillor John Birnie
The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough and is elected to the post by fellow councillors at the annual meeting of the Council in May each year. The role of Mayor is a non-political position and during the mayoral year, a Mayor puts aside Council duties to concentrate on the role as the town's first citizen.
In addition to chairing the Council meeting, the Mayor attends many different types of functions throughout the borough. These include representing the Council at civic functions, receiving dignitaries, attending formal dinners and church services, opening events, talking to clubs and societies and visiting schools. On occasions, the Mayor hosts visits to the Mayor's Parlour from various groups or organisations. The Mayor also has a deputy to stand in if they are unavailable.
The Mayor's correct title is The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum.
Councillor Alan Johnson was appointed Deputy Mayor for 2022-2023.
The Mayor's charity
The Mayor's charity for this year is Dacorum Community Trust, which helps those most in need within the Dacorum area, by managing and distributing funds it raises locally from individuals, companies and organisations. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Mayor's Office.
Book tickets to a mayoral event
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Request the Mayor's attendance
If you'd like to invite the Mayor to a function or event, please complete the online request form (below), giving as much notice as possible and as many details as you can.
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Latest news
You can keep up to date with the latest Mayoral news and events on social media:
About the Mayor
John Birnie has been a Dacorum Borough Councillor since 2015, representing both the Bennetts End and Adeyfield East wards. He is also Chair of the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
He was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, educated at Wallsend Grammar School and the University of Leeds, and has worked in Durham, Accra in Ghana and London. For the past 40 years he has lived in Hemel Hempstead. He has two children and four grandchildren.
In 1963, after completing a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics at the University of Leeds, John joined the University of Durham as a Research Fellow, before moving to the University of Ghana to become a Lecturer in the linguistics department. In 1975 he began a series of jobs in London, including being Managing Director of West Coast Airlines and West One, a computer manufacturing and IT company.
Following this, in 1995, he became Chair of currency trading company Exchange Direct before taking up the position of owner/director of property development company, Complete Support Services Ltd.
In a voluntary capacity, John was Chair of Hemel Hempstead Town Cricket Club between 2004 and 2009 and was instrumental in fundraising and project managing the construction of a new pavilion. He is also a Trustee and Director of Community Action Dacorum – a charity that provides a circle of support to the local community.
Contact information
Address:
Mayor's Office
Dacorum Borough Council
The Forum
Marlowes
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP1 1DN
Telephone: 01442 228202
Email: mayors.secretary@dacorum.gov.uk
