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.
Saturday 9 August
Lord Mayor attending Austentations Ball and Performance of the Last Rose of Summer at Guildhall
Sunday 10 August
Lord Mayor attending Vedic Mela – Family Fun Day
Lord Mayor attending Town Mayor of Whitehall & Bordon Charity Event
Wednesday 13 August
Lord Mayor visit to Veterans Breakfast Club in Woolston
Friday 15 August
Lord Mayor attending Victory over Japan (VJ) Day 80th Events
Saturday 16 August
Lord Mayor attending VJ Day 80 Southampton Royal British Legion (RBL) & Veterans Breakfast Club Event
Monday 18 August
Lord Mayor attending Launch of OmniRise – United Voice of Africa Associations Event
Tuesday 19 August
Lord Mayor Hosting a visit from Calshot National Coastwatch Institution
Lord Mayor attending Dieppe Raid Memorial Service
Wednesday 20 August
Lord Mayor and Sheriff attending Old Bowling Green Knighthood Competition
Thursday 21 August
Lord Mayor attending Southampton Tourist Guides Association Jane Austin Walk Tour
Saturday 30 August
Lord Mayor attending Port Tour of the River Itchen
Sunday 31 August
Lord Mayor attending South Indian Arts and Cultural Society 4th Ganesh Festival
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 9 August
Sheriff attending Hiroshima, Nagasaki Commemoration event at the Bargate
Thursday 14 August
Sheriff visit to Heartbeat House
Wednesday 20 August
Lord Mayor and Sheriff attending Old Bowling Green Knighthood Competition
Sunday 24 August
Sheriff attending Filipino Parish Day
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.
