'Deep honour' as city's new Lord Mayor announced

The next Lord Mayor of Bristol has described the role as a "deep honour", as he vows to help "ensure that every community feels recognised and valued".

Yassin Mohamud, who was elected as Green councillor for Lawrence Hill in 2021, will be stepping into Bristol City Council's ceremonial position in May.

The role rotates between the council's four largest political groups. He succeeds Conservative councillor Henry Michillat, who becomes Deputy Lord Mayor.

Mohamud, who moved to the UK from Somalia more than 20 years ago, said his political understanding of social issues "came from lived experience".

Mohamud has lived with his family in the St Jude's area of the city for 15 years.

He said over time, he became "increasingly aware" that some neighbourhoods, like Lawrence Hill, were "facing persistent inequalities yet often felt overlooked".

Following the Barton House evacuation in 2023, he worked with colleagues to push for changes that better support residents affected by unsafe housing conditions.

He has also supported efforts to reopen and protect community spaces in tower blocks, alongside issues like fly tipping, safer streets and tackling racial inequality.

"Like many people in our city, my understanding of politics did not begin in a formal setting; it came from lived experience," Mohamud said.

"It came from seeing how decisions affect everyday life: the quality of housing, the safety of our streets, the opportunities available to young people, and whether communities feel seen and heard."

The Lord Mayor of Bristol chairs the meetings of the full council and carries out around 800 engagements a year - each serving a one year term.

"It is a deep honour to be stepping into the role," he said.

"I want to use this platform to bring people together, to celebrate the diversity and strength of our city, and to ensure that every community feels recognised and valued.

"Above all, I remain grounded in the same principles that brought me into public service: to listen, to serve, and to work with the people of Bristol to build a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

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