Croydon has a new mayor.

Councillor Bernadette Khan was sworn into office last night (May 23) and plans to improve equality and inclusion during her time at the helm.

A social worker by training, the West Thornton ward representative moved to Croydon in 1976, and worked for Wandsworth Council in specialisms including fostering, adoption and child protection. Her career has also included co-founding a foster parent association in Lambeth and working as a magistrate in both family and adult courts.

Mrs Khan said she looked forward to her new position.

“I would like to use my tenure as madam mayor for the borough of Croydon over the next 12 months to focus and support equality of access and inclusion, recognising communities at the heart.”

Away from politics, the councillor has been instrumental in the creation of the Zakia Family Centre in St James’s Road and alongside her husband Qaiyun, the pair have been foster parents to more than 100 children.

This year’s deputy mayor is Councillor Humayun Kabir, who moved to Croydon in 1979 and worked as a family advisor at another London council before becoming a councillor in the 2010 local elections, representing Bensham Manor ward.