New mayor makes history as the first bangladeshi-born woman to take the job

SHE WILL BE THE 50TH MAYOR OF TAMESIDE AFTER AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY IN DUKINFIELD TOWN HALL 20:31, 20 May 2025 The first-ever female Bangladeshi mayor has taken on the civic chains in

Tameside. Coun Shibley Alam was officially sworn in as the 50th civic mayor of Tameside Council at a ceremony in Dukinfield Town Hall on May 20. Not only is she the first woman born in

Bangladesh to be a mayor of Tameside, but of any authority in the north of England. After taking over from outgoing mayor, Coun Betty Affleck, she said: “I am proud and deeply honoured to be

asked to serve as civic mayor of Tameside for the coming year. “I would like to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Coun Betty Affleck, for the fantastic job she has done and I will do

my very best to live up to the high standards she has set. Article continues below “Although I know the coming year will be very busy, I’m really looking forward to it and expect it to be

very rewarding. I want to meet as many people as possible across our wonderful borough – from schools and volunteers to community groups.” Currently serving as the borough’s deputy mayor,

Coun Alam came to the UK when she was eight and later moved to Tameside, making it her home. She is married to Mr Mohammed Khairul Alam who will be her consort. Article continues below The

new mayor has represented Hyde Werneth ward since she was elected in 2019. At the latest town hall meeting in Dukinfield, council leader Eleanor Wills threw her support behind Coun Alam,

saying she would be an ‘exemplary’ mayor for the borough. The new deputy mayor, destined to become the next mayor, is Coun Helen Bowden. The Hyde Newton ward representative will be supported

by her husband Leslie as deputy mayor’s consort.