Forest Gate councillor Winston Vaughan has been elected Chair of Newham Council – a new ceremonial role that will see him representing the Borough in numerous community events and activities over the coming months.

Winston, who has been a councillor for 23 years, will represent the Council at civic events while the executive leadership of the Borough remains the responsibility of Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz.

He came to London as a teenager after being recruited into the armed forces in Barbados in 1962.

Although he has represented the Council in many policy areas – including health care in recent years – he now assumes the role of “first citizen” and will focus on the Council’s engagement with the community.

“It’s a great privilege to represent the Council and I’m really looking forward to busy times ahead,” he said after his election at the Council meeting this week.

Winston is currently Chair of the Newham Voices Board of Directors. Aidan White, Newham Voices publisher, said:

“We are delighted that Winston has been elected. His dedication to the people of Newham is inspiring and he’s an ideal figure to represent the council. His experience, dedicated knowledge and love of the community will be a tremendous asset. We wish him well.”

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