Southampton's 803rd Right Worshipful Mayor and 4th Lord Mayor of Southampton Councillor James Baillie, was sworn in at a 'Mayor Making' ceremony on 14 May 2025.
A series of special Lord Mayor events in support of the Lord Mayor's chosen charities will take place through the year. You can find out more about these below.
Lord Mayor Councillor James Baillie
Councillor Baillie became the 803rd Mayor and fourth Lord Mayor of Southampton on 14 May 2025 following his year as Sheriff of the City.
Lord Mayor Councillor James Baillie
Lord Mayor Baillie’s chosen charities are Saints Foundation, Mountbatten Hospice and The Courage Foundation.
Sheriff Patricia Evemy
Councillor takes on the role of 588th Sheriff of Southampton.
Children’s Mayor Zeyno Arabaci
Zeyno became the fourth Children’s Mayor of Southampton on 14 May 2025
Honorary Admiral of the Port
The Lord Mayor of Southampton is the Honorary Admiral of the Port.
Originally Maritime trade and domestic maritime problems were handled by common law. This was until the 14th century, when local customs started to be relied on to deal with these matters. Over time maritime law and jurisdiction developed in boroughs which were home to ports, such as Southampton.
Southampton is where, it is said, the first admiralty courts were held, soon after Henry VI’s specific grant in 1451.
These honours were bestowed to acknowledge the tremendous contribution the port had made to the country by "the eminence it had attained in overseas trade" and the Lord Mayors "Admiralty Jurisdiction" extended from Hurst Castle in the West to Langstone on the East - and included Portsmouth. Power was given to the mayor to exercise all the functions of Admiral of England within the town and port of Southampton.
As Admiral of the Port, the Lord Mayor also has their own flag, a traditional Admirals Flag of red St. George’s Cross on a white background with a black anchor motif in the canton.
Invite the Lord Mayor to your engagement
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Before you start
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Christmas Champagne and Canapés in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour
12 December 2025
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Lord Mayor’s Ball
10 April 2026
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Charity Golf Day
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Lord Mayor Baillie's diary summarySHOW
This diary is updated regularly, and every effort is made to ensure all events are accurate and up to date. However, some events and dates may be changed at the last minute, therefore we apologise for any inconvenience caused in such cases.
Friday 3 October
Lord Mayor attending University of Southampton Igniting Innovation in UK Silicon Photonics
Lord Mayor attending Mason Moor Primary School Harvest Festival Assembly
Saturday 4 October
Lord Mayor and Sheriff attending Knighthood Final at the Old Bowling Green
Sunday 5 October
Lord Mayor attending Town Mayor of Whitehill & Bordon's Civic Service
Tuesday 7 October
Lord Mayor attending Civic Award Presentations at Foundry Lane Primary School
Saturday 11 October
Lord Mayor attending Diwali Mela at Oasis Academy
Lord Mayor attending Basingstoke Civic Service
Sunday 12 October
Lord Mayor attending Law Sunday Service in Winchester
Lord Mayor attending Black Business, Art and Music Festival
Wednesday 15 October
Lord Mayor attending University of Southampton event – the Student Founder Showcase 2025
Friday 17 October
Lord Mayor attending Admiral of the Port's Trafalgar Dinner
Saturday 18 October
Lord Mayor attending Uganda Community in Southampton Independence Day celebration
Sunday 19 October
Lord Mayor's Church Civic Service at Bitterne Church
Tuesday 21 October
Lord Mayor hosting visit from Valentine Primary School
Lord Mayor attending University of Southampton 36th Annual Wellington Lecture
Thursday 23 October
Lord Mayor attending Children's Mayor event
Lord Mayor attending Hampshire police BME association – BEAM celebrating black history month
Saturday 25 October
Lord Mayor attending Woolston Scarecrow Festival 2025
Lord Mayor attending Mayor of Gosport Race Night
Sunday 26 October
Lord Mayor attending Mayor of Eastleigh Festival of Remembrance
Monday 27 October
Lord Mayor attending Read Easy Presentation Ceremony
Wednesday 29 October
Lord Mayor attending Rose Road Association Danceathon
Lord Mayor attending Visit to International Women's Club
Lord Mayor hosting Afternoon Charity Event
Thursday 30 October
Lord Mayor hosting Veterans Cream Tea
Lord Mayor attending South East Reserve Forces' and Cadets Association Civic Engagement
Friday 31 October
Lord Mayor attending visit to Cruise Welcome Desk
Lord Mayor attending Opening of Meachers Global Logistics
Lord Mayor Halloween Pit Stop
Lord Mayor Halloween Fancy Dress charity night
Sheriff's diary summarySHOW
This diary is updated regularly and every effort is made to ensure all events are accurate and up to date. However, some events and dates may be changed at the last minute, therefore we apologise for any inconvenience caused in such cases.
Saturday 4 October
Lord Mayor and Sheriff attending Knighthood Final at the Old Bowling Green
Sunday 5 October
Sheriff attending Harvest Festival in the season of Creationtide
Wednesday 15 October
Sheriff attending The Wickets Care Home, Marketing / Residents Show Suite opening
Friday 17 October
Sheriff attending Stop Domestic Abuse's AGM
Sheriff attending SCC Foster Carer Ball 2025
Monday 20 October
Sheriff attending Southampton City Council Black History Month event
The Lord Mayor's Office provides support for the Lord Mayor and Sheriff. The office manages their diaries and provides information and guidance for groups and organisations who wish to invite the Lord Mayor to events.
