‘The honour of a lifetime’: Maria Coward installed as 113th Lord Mayor of Hull

NEW LORD MAYOR: Councillor Maria Coward

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

Councillor Maria Coward has today been installed as the 113th Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber in a ceremony at the Guildhall.

Coun Coward was elected at a Full Council meeting on May 21 as Lord Mayor for the 2026/2027 civic year.

Her consort will be Jon Laugley.

Coun Coward succeeds Councillor Cheryl Payne, who concluded her tenure by handing over the chain of office in the council chamber.

HANDOVER: Outgoing mayor Cheryl Payne passing the chain of office to Maria Coward

The new Lord Mayor said: “I am beyond delighted to be the next Lord Mayor of our fantastic city. Taking this role is an honour of a lifetime.

“I’d like to thank my predecessors, including Cheryl Payne, who did a fantastic job last year; I hope to carry on her success.

“I will give this role my all in the coming year. I am so passionate about our home and the communities in it, and I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

NEW ROLE: Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Daren Hale

The new Deputy Lord Mayor is Councillor Daren Hale.

Coun Hale will continue his role as leader of the council’s Labour group.

The Lord Mayor’s long-standing ceremonial role as first citizen of the city differs to that of the elected mayor of the recently created Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority.