OBV congratulates Gerry Jerome and Judy Best

OBV congratulates Gerry Jerome for his recent inauguration as Mayor of Sutton Council, and Judy Best as newly elected Deputy Mayor of Lambeth.

Judy Best is a graduate from Operation Black Vote's BAME Women’s Councillor Shadowing Scheme and has recently been appointed as Deputy Mayor of Lambeth. She served as a School Governor at Sunnyhill Primary for 8 years, and has worked in the Voluntary & Community Sector for over 20 years.

Judy Best became the first Chair for the Voluntary & Community Sector for Lambeth. Judy said about her recent appointment as Deputy Mayor: “Thank you to my Liberals Democrat Group who put me forward. I am honoured.”

Gerry Jerome has been a councillor of Nonsuch ward in Sutton for 10 years, and said it was an “honour” to be made mayor. He has pledged to help young people find jobs during his first year in office. Councillor Jerome, who was formally elected as the borough's first citizen at a meeting of the Full Council, has set up a new charity called Ways to Work to help young people find work who are not in employment, education, or training. Commenting on his new appointment, Gerry Jerome said: “I see this as a chance to help repay the good life that Sutton has given me.”