Redbridge Mayor
Cllr Beverley Brewer, , Mayor of Redbridge 2025/26 Municipal Year
It is a great honour and privilege to be Mayor of Redbridge. I look forward to representing and promoting the Borough as Mayor, to meeting many local residents and businesses and visiting many groups and organisations during the course of the year.
Redbridge has been my home for the last 23 years. It is where my husband and I raised our four children. I was born and brought up in Liverpool and moved to North East London soon after graduating. I started my working life in teaching however the majority of my career has been in health and social care. I have worked with many of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities, especially those with severe and enduring mental illness.
I have served Redbridge as a Councillor in South Woodford since 2018. In that time I have served as Chair of Health Scrutiny, on a number of other Council committees and also as a member of the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education.
In my year as Mayor, I want to help raise the profile of our Borough, our people, our businesses and our community organisations.
I will be supported in my Mayoral Year by my Consort, my husband David Lee. The Mayor’s Escorts will be my daughter, Dr Lilian Lee and my sons, Paul Lee, Daniel Lee and Mark Lee. I am very proud that Mark and Paul will be the first ever people with autism and learning disabilities to serve as Mayor’s escorts in our borough.
The Mayor’s Chaplains will be Rev Dr Elizabeth Lowson, Rector of St Mary’s Woodford and Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Rabbi of Woodford Forest United Synagogue.
My Cadets will be announced soon.
The Mayor traditionally fundraises for charity and during my Mayoral Year I will be fundraising and supporting three charities, Redbridge Foodbank, the Catholic Fellowship Disability Network and the Friday Evening Swimming Group.
Redbridge Foodbank
The Redbridge Foodbank believe that everyone has the right to have food on their plate, dignity, skills, a chance to work and hope for the future. The Foodbank believes that no one in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why they provide an emergency three-day supply of nutritionally balanced food and support to local people in crisis who are referred to them. In the last year, their efforts have delivered nearly seventeen thousand emergency parcels to help local people in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the country. They serve people of all faith groups and beliefs or none. They are passionate about inclusion and being non-judgemental is central to what they do. They operate according to the principles of compassion, honesty, integrity, openness, kindness and care of all people, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs.
Catholic Fellowship Disability Network
The Catholic Fellowship Disability Network has been in existence since 1962. Their mission is simple but important, to serve people with disabilities and their families from all faiths and none by creating a supportive community and promoting opportunity through their network and events. They believe that everyone deserves to feel included and part of a supportive community whilst promoting what's possible. The charity is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve. From swimming events to family disco's, their bi-weekly pub group for adults, seaside coach trips, adventure days at Lambourne End and much more, they offer a diverse range of events.
Friday Evening Swimming Group
This small charity was established in 2005, and their stated aim is to challenge disability through adventure, in the interests of improving the social welfare and life conditions of disabled young people. They operate swimming sessions for disabled children and organise social and sporting activities for the children and their families. They are by no means the largest organisation to become a Mayor’s charity, and I am confident that every penny that we raise for them will help make a real difference to them and the people they are dedicated to support.
Cllr Joe Hehir will be supporting me as Deputy Mayor. The Deputy Mayoress will be his wife, Louise Hehir. On occasions when Louise Hehir is unavailable, he will be accompanied by his sister Bridget Dickson.
I am extremely proud to be your Mayor and am excited to spend the next year serving our borough.
I will be organising various fundraising events for my charities and would be delighted to receive your support.
Donations to the Mayor's Appeal
If you or your organisation wishes to make a donation to the Mayor's Charity Appeal, please make cheques payable to ‘The Mayor’s Appeal” and send to Mayor’s Office, Redbridge Town Hall, 128-142 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1DD.
Payments can be also be made direct to the Mayor’s Appeal account quoting the details below:
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Your donation will be gratefully accepted.
Invitations to the Mayor
The civic protocol requires that the Mayor, as the First citizen of the Borough, considers each invitation request to determine whether or not they, or the Deputy Mayor, are able to accept the invitation.
Completing this form does not confirm the attendance of the Mayor/ Deputy Mayor.
Confirmation will be sent to all successful applications.
To support your application, please complete this form as fully as possible and return it to us at least 14 days before the function.
