The City of Leeds has appointed its first openly gay Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor’s Consort, marking a historic milestone for the city.
Councillor Stephen Holroyd was confirmed as the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds on Wednesday, with his partner Simon Mapals serving as Lord Mayor’s Consort for the 2026/27 civic year.
The appointment comes during the 400th anniversary year of Leeds receiving its royal charter.
Born and raised in Wakefield, Cllr Holroyd moved to Leeds in 2014 and was elected to represent the Ardsley and Robin Hood ward in 2023.
Before entering local government, he worked in hospitality and financial services. He also serves as a governor at Thorpe Primary School.
“Celebrating our differences”
Cllr Holroyd said he was honoured to take on the role and looked forward to meeting communities across Leeds.
“I’m honoured to become the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds,” Cllr Holroyd said. “Leeds is an incredibly diverse city, and I’m looking forward to getting out into our communities and meeting as many people as possible, making new friends and drawing people together through celebrating our differences while embracing what binds us together.”
Mapals, who was born and raised in Leeds and manages an established LGBTQ+ venue in the city centre, said he was proud to support Holroyd during the civic year.
“I’m very honoured to become the Lord Mayor’s Consort and to support Stephen in his mayoral duties. I really look forward to meeting the incredible and diverse communities of our city.”
The incoming Lord Mayor has selected Yorkshire MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice as his charities for the year.
For Leeds, the appointments represent not only a civic first, but also a visible moment of LGBTQ+ representation during a significant anniversary year for the city.
