On Wednesday 20 May, the city of Southampton will welcome the new Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Evemy, in the traditional Mayor Making ceremony.

Mayor Making is an opportunity for the city to come together to welcome and appoint its new Lord Mayor and its Sheriff, who will support the Lord Mayor throughout the year.

The prestigious event is a living piece of Southampton’s heritage, dating back over 500 years and will mark the start of the Lord Mayor’s year-long term of office. It will be attended by members of the public alongside civic dignitaries, councillors, and past Mayors. The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire’s Deputy Mr. Lou Taylor DL and the Honorary Recorder will also be in attendance.

The Lord Mayor is recognised as the ‘first citizen’ of Southampton and Honorary Admiral of the Port – playing an important ambassadorial role in representing the city at local, regional and national events.

Southampton’s Mayor Making ceremony will take place on Wednesday 20 May at 11am at the O2 Guildhall and will be attended by the outgoing Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor James Baillie, who has served the city since May 2025.

Councillor Evemy, who has supported Councillor Baillie as the city’s Sheriff for the past 12 months, will be confirmed as the new Lord Mayor after taking the oath of office and receiving the Lord Mayor’s chain and robes. One of the new Lord Mayor’s first duties will be to announce her chosen charities for the year for whom she will host regular fundraising events.

As Lord Mayor, Councillor Evemy’s key responsibilities will include chairing Full Council meetings, as well as attending hundreds of engagements during the year as Southampton’s first citizen.

Mayor Making is a public event. Doors will open at 10.30am and it is free to attend.