Guildford Has a New Mayor with Rock Star Quality

Published on: 7 May, 2025
Updated on: 9 May, 2025

The new Mayor of Guildford, Howard Smith, and his Deputy, Jane Tyson

Guildford has a new Mayor and it is the Labour councillor for Westborough since May 2023, Howard Smith, a former rock star.

As tradition dictates, he needed to be formally elected at the ceremonial annual meeting of Guildford Borough Council, which was held today (May 7) at the Guildhall.

Howard is a true Guildfordian. He was born in the town and grew up in Jacobs Well.

Cover of the sleeve for the Vapors’ single Turning Japanese.

He attended local primary and secondary schools before becoming the drummer in 80s band The Vapors. Their most well-known worldwide hit song was Turning Japanese. The band appeared on Top of the Pops and toured Australia and America.

When the group disbanded, Howard stayed in the music business. He has worked for The Performing Right Society in London, run a record shop, and now promotes live music around the town.

Howard’s theme for his mayoral year is “improving lives”:  from helping young people make the most of opportunities, particularly in music and the performing arts, to helping the more senior members of our community enjoy and make the most of their lives.

He has chosen to support three charities that impact on the wellbeing of our community: the Guildford Shakespeare Company, The Cheryl King Trust, and Phyllis Tuckwell Living Well Service.

Speaking at today’s meeting, Cllr Smith said: “I am truly honoured and delighted to have become the Mayor of Guildford. I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to become mayor of my hometown.

“I have a deep commitment to helping make our town the best it can possibly be for all our residents and will be using my role to effect change where I can.

“I want the year ahead to be great fun, not just for me, but for everyone. Our town of Guildford is a remarkable town, and borough, packed with great, generous people, beautiful villages, and wonderful countryside. I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to do everything that we can as a community, to help one another.”

Cllr Smith is the first Labour mayor since Angela Gunning, who served in 2007-8. He was Deputy Mayor for the 2024/2025 municipal year. Today Cllr Jane Tyson (Lib Dem Burpham) was appointed Deputy Mayor for the next municipal year.

Events attended by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor can be seen in the Mayor’s Diary published fortnightly in The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

For more information about the Mayor of Guildford and his duties visit www.guildford.gov.uk/mayor or follow him on Facebook: @GuildfordMayoralty.

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