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
!
Before you start
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A number of events are being held throughout the year to raise money for Lord Mayor Baillie’s chosen charities.
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.
Thursday 1 May
Lord Mayor attending and hosting Volunteer Awards
Saturday 3 May
Lord Mayor attending 100 Years of Woodcraft Folk Celebration
Sunday 4 May
Lord Mayor attending Victory in Europe (VE) 80 Day Reception and Concert
Wednesday 7 May
Lord Mayor attending Royal Garden Party
Thursday 8 May
Lord Mayor attending VE80 Flag Raising
Lord Mayor attending Career Inspiration Event
Lord Mayor hosting VE80 Day Afternoon Tea
Lord Mayor attending Holyrood Church and Light Beacon for VE Day
Friday 9 May
Lord Mayor attending Opening of South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
Lord Mayor attending Portswood Recreation Group Celebration
Saturday 10 May
Lord Mayor attending Salisbury City Annual Mayor Making Ceremony
Lord Mayor attending Requiem by Brahms at Romsey Abbey
Sunday 11 May
Lord Mayor attending South Indian Food Festival
Lord Mayor attending VE Day Street Party
Monday 12 May
Lord Mayor attending Annual Walk of Southampton Old Cemetery
Lord Mayor attending Music for the Mind Session
Tuesday 13 May
Lord Mayor attending Sri Lankan Buddhist Community Celebration
Wednesday 14 May
Lord Mayor Annual Mayor Making Ceremony and Annual General Meeting
Lord Mayor attending Southampton Divisional Association Senior Cup Final
Thursday 15 May
Lord Mayor attending Ghana Association of Southampton Special Education Needs Project
Friday 16 May
Lord Mayor attending Ceremonial Divisions at HMS Collingwood
Lord Mayor attending Indonesian Culture Festival 2025
Saturday 17 May
Lord Mayor attending Gantry Youth Theatre Theatreascope performance of "Into the Woods Jr."
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 10 May
Sheriff attending Bitterne Conservative Club Kitchen Opening
Sunday 11 May
Sheriff attending Victory in Europe (VE) Day Service of Commemoration 80th Anniversary
Contact details
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.
