Councillor Anjna Khurana – along with deputy Cllr Jason Jackson – was made the new Mayor of Islington at a Town Hall ceremony last night

IT’S that time again!

The pomp and circumstance came to town last night (Thursday) as the annual mayor-making event took place, replacing Councillor Gary Heather with his deputy mayor and Tollington ward councillor Anjna Khurana.

Cllr Khurana – who once jumped out of a plane to raise funds for the MS Society after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006 – was announced as the new mayor at the annual council meeting at the Town Hall, while Cllr Jason Jackson was appointed as deputy mayor.

The lifelong Liverpool football club fan chose the Brickworks Community Centre in Crouch Hill as her selected mayoral charity.

“I am very proud to be raising funds and awareness for Brickworks Community Centre,” said the new mayor.

“They are my local community centre, and they are everything that I love about our community. Their doors are open to all, no judgements, no questions, just support, care, and compassion.”

Cllr Khurana was elected as a councillor in 2018. Before then, she volunteered for charities promoting child literacy and safe spaces for those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Last night she said: “I want my mayoralty to emphasise that everyone is welcome in Islington. I am looking forward to engaging with the communities that do so much, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, that work with and for each other.”

Cllr Khurana has lived in and around Islington since 1994, first in Clerkenwell and now in Hillrise. First elected as a councillor for Tollington Ward in 2018, she has served on the council for seven years. During that time she has been a member of various committees, including the policy and performance scrutiny committee, licensing committee, the council’s fostering, and adoption permanence panels, and was chair of the employment and appointments committee for four years. Cllr Heather’s chosen charity was Voluntary Action Islington (VAI).
The mayor’s Consort is Micky Khurana, and the deputy’s Consort is Tatiana Jackson.