Former mill worker and bus driver appointed Burnley Mayor
A former mill worker, bus driver and trade union representative who has spent more than three decades serving Burnley residents has been officially appointed as the town’s new mayor.
Coun. Saeed Chaudhary was formally installed as Mayor of Burnley for 2026/27 during the council’s annual meeting at Burnley Town Hall.
The ceremony was attended by councillors, civic guests, family, friends and invited guests, marking the beginning of Councillor Chaudhary’s mayoral year.
Councillor Chaudhary takes on the role after what Burnley Council described as a lifetime of service to the borough, including working in Burnley’s textile mills, driving buses across the town, representing workers as a trade union representative, working in schools and serving on the Employment Tribunal.
He was first elected to Burnley Council in 1991 to represent the Coal Clough with Deerplay ward and later served the Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward.
As Mayor, Councillor Chaudhary will be supported by Mayoresses Naseem Akhtar, Sobia Saeed, Amira Akram and Iqra Mahmood.
Councillor Alan Hosker was also appointed Deputy Mayor of Burnley.
Councillor Chaudhary, who has lived in Burnley for more than 50 years, said the town had given him “not only a home, but a purpose”.
He said: “Burnley did not just give me a place to live. It gave me a purpose.
“The same energy I gave to the factory floor, I will give to this office. The same commitment and dedication shown in the classroom, I will show to every community across this borough. The same fairness I upheld in the tribunal, I will uphold in everything that bears Burnley’s name.
“It is truly an honour to serve, and I look forward to giving back to the community that has given me so much.”
The Mayor of Burnley acts as the borough’s first citizen and ambassador, attending civic occasions, community events, charity functions and official engagements throughout the year.
Beneficiaries for the Mayor’s charities are set to be confirmed at a later date.