After more than a decade in local politics, Councillor Anthony Kelly has stepped into Ealing’s top civic role – in a borough he’s called home for most of his life.
Councillor Kelly was officially sworn in as Mayor of Ealing on Tuesday night (13 May 2025) during a ceremony at the Royal Nawaab in Perivale. The event followed the council’s annual general meeting and marked the start of his year as the borough’s ceremonial figurehead.
Councillor Kelly was first elected in 2014 to represent Greenford Broadway ward and most recently served as deputy to outgoing mayor Councillor Yvonne Johnson. Born 1973 in Chiswick and raised in Hanwell, he has lived in Greenford since the late 1990s with his wife Maria and their 19-year-old son, Luke.
Councillor Kelly said: “As a lifelong resident of the borough of Ealing, living in Hanwell and making my home in Greenford for last 20 years with my wife and son, I’m so pleased to now be the first citizen of the borough. I enjoyed being deputy to the outgoing mayor Councillor Yvonne Johnson and I look forward to the many engagements I will attend and the opportunity to highlight the work charities, and other organisations, across the borough’s seven towns do.”
Before entering public life, Councillor Kelly worked in transport and property and later as a community transport driver. His chosen mayoral charity, Ealing Soup Kitchen, supports people experiencing homelessness with food, clothing, advocacy and a place to talk.
As well as a new Mayor of Ealing, the ceremony also saw the appointment of a new deputy mayor. Southall West ward’s Councillor Faduma Mohamed will serve alongside Councillor Kelly, representing Ealing at events across the borough during 2025/26.
Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason said of Councillor Kelly: “He brings a wealth of lived experience, compassion and public service to the mayoralty. I know he will serve the entire borough with pride, humility and unwavering commitment.”
