Nuneaton and Bedworth's Mayor for 2024/25 is Cllr Bill Hancox who received the chains of office at yesterday's Mayor Making ceremony at Nuneaton Town Hall.
Cllr Hancox, 70, succeeds Cllr Martin Walsh as Mayor and will be supported by Sheila, his wife of 47 years as Mayoress. Sheila is also an Alderwoman of the Borough.
Having been a councillor for 31 years, this will be the third time he has served as the Borough Mayor. His previous terms of office were in 2001/02 and 2017/18.
This will be the first time in the Borough's history that a mayor will have served on three separate occasions.
Bill represents Bede Ward in Bedworth for the Labour Party on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, has two married daughters, Jane and Joy, along with three grandsons and two granddaughters.
He was proposed by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Watkins, and the proposal was seconded by his Bede Ward colleague, Cllr Anne-Marie Bull.
Cllr Hancox was born in Coventry, attending Limbrick Wood Junior and Infants and Woodlands Comprehensive schools.
He also attended Coventry Technical College as part of his apprenticeship as a glazier with Glass (Coventry) Ltd.
Having worked most of his life as a glazier, he then moved on to work with the National Probation Service prior to retirement.
He is a Freeman of the City of Coventry and a member of the City of Coventry Freemen’s Guild.
His main pastimes are Crown Green bowls, supporting Coventry City Football Club and spending time with his family.
Cllr Hancox said:
“Having had the privilege of being adopted by the Bedworth community and being able to represent them, it is indeed a great honour to be elected Mayor for the third time.
“Sheila and I are thoroughly looking forward to representing this wonderful Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth over the next twelve months, meeting as many of our residents and communities as possible.’’
Cllr Bhim Saru, who represents St Mary's Ward for the Labour Party, is the new Deputy Mayor, and Sharmila Saru is the Deputy Mayoress.
He was proposed by Cllr Kath Price and seconded by Cllr Nicola King.