Councillor Anthony Okereke took charge yesterday as leader of Greenwich Council.

Okerere, 32, defeated previous leader and fellow Labour councillor Danny Thorp on May 11 in a closely contested electoral race.

Thorp had represented the borough of Greenwich from May 2018.

Born and raised in Greenwich, Okerere will also serve as the borough’s first black leader.

Prior to his victory, Okerere had served as a cabinet member for Woolwich Common since 2018.

Cllr Okereke said: “It is an honour to have been elected as Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

"This is my home borough; it’s where I grew up and where my family lives and it is going to be a privilege to serve as leader.

"It is my aim to make our borough the very best it can be, with residents at the heart of every decision we make.”

The newly elected leader also set out the main points of his manifesto to best serve the borough’s residents.

He explained: “I understand the issues that residents face every day.

"My priorities will be responding to the cost-of-living crisis head-on with new support schemes, working closely with the NHS to tackle health inequalities, and addressing climate emergency to ensure that our borough is in the best shape it can be for future generations.

"I will do everything I can and give everything I have, to achieve these goals and make life in Royal Greenwich fairer for everyone.”

Okerere has since selected who will be included in his cabinet.

Avril Lekau, who has represented Thamesmead on Greenwich Council for the last eight years, will serve as deputy leader.

The remaining members of the cabinet include:

Adel Khaireh – Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities

Matt Morrow – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Pat Slattery – Cabinet Member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness

Ivis Williams – Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value

Ann-Marie Cousins – Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement Denise

Scott-McDonald – Cabinet Member for Health and Adults’ Social Care

Mariam Lolavar* – Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills

Aidan Smith – Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Councillor Lolavar is presently on maternity leave and for the period of her absence, Councillor Denise Hyland is appointed as the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills.

Appointments made to other key Council roles, include: 

  • Mayor – Cllr Leo Fletcher 
  • Deputy Mayor – Cllr Dominic Mbang 
  • Opposition Leader – Cllr Matt Hartley

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.