Cllr Mimi Harker OBE elected Mayor of Amersham

OBV congratulates Cllr Mimi Harker OBE on her election as Mayor of Amersham. Harker, also re-elected as a Councillor has been a campaigner on both the national and local stages. She has worked tirelessly to increase the number of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic (BAME) women in politics as part of the BAME Women’s Taskforce with the Government Equalities Office. Harker is also a seasoned local campaigner, working on issues such as the environment and to help save the local post office. Mimi is the first Asian Mayor of Amersham.

As Mayor of Amersham, a role which leads the council, Mimi will chair Council meetings, represent the town in civic events and along with representing the 13,000 voters in the area she will manage a budget of over half a million pounds. Her term as Mayor runs for two years and is directly elected by local people. Mimi was first elected in the ward in 1999 and has demonstrated incredible longevity in retaining her seat on the Council for over a decade.

Mimi was a member of the 2010 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women Councillors Taskforce (BAME) that was set up by Harriet Harman MP to tackle the inequality in local politics and also served as a mentor on OBV's BAME Women Councillors Scheme.

Mimi became involved in politics just over twelve years ago after being involved in a successful campaign against a major building development; she was subsequently elected onto the Chiltern District Council. In 2004 she became a Cabinet member with responsibility for Community, Young people and Communications, a position which she has held since.

Cllr Mimi Harker OBE said:

"I'm so proud to have been elected as the Mayor of Amersham. It is a great honour and priviledge to represent the people and communities of Amersham across Buckinghamshire and the country. I am thoroughly looking forward to everything the year ahead holds in store for me, and to meeting as many people across Amersham as possible. Thank you to everybody for this honour and I will be delighted to keep you updated on my progress."

Commenting on her election Francine Fernandes, OBV Head of Shadowing Schemes, said:

“I have worked with Mimi for a number of years and am thrilled, though not surprised by her achievement. Mimi clearly demonstrates and symbolises the talent of BAME women to not only contribute to the democratic process, but to become democratic trailblazers.”