Sheffield marked a significant moment in its civic history this week as Councillor Safiya Saeed was officially appointed the city’s 128th Lord Mayor during a council meeting held on Monday.
Saeed, a member of the Labour Party, is the first black woman wearing a hijab to hold the ceremonial position. Originally from Somaliland, she moved to Sheffield in 1985. Reflecting on the milestone, she said, “I am honoured to be the first black woman wearing a hijab to take this role. I came to Sheffield in 1985, and this city has truly become my home, a place where I have always felt I belong.”
Family members joined her for the special occasion, travelling from Somaliland to attend the inauguration at Sheffield Town Hall. Dressed in the traditional Lord Mayor’s robes, Saeed stood on the grand staircase where she was welcomed with applause.
In her speech to the council, she addressed the city’s residents and her commitment to inclusivity, saying, “I want every voice, no matter how quiet, to feel heard in the heart of this city.”
A single mother of five, Saeed has long been active in local community work. In addition to her role as councillor for Burngreave since 2021, she is the founder of Reach Up Youth, an organisation dedicated to supporting young people, especially those from Black and ethnic minority communities.
While the Lord Mayor role is ceremonial and does not carry executive power, it remains a significant ambassadorial position for the city, representing Sheffield at a wide range of public and civic events throughout the year.
In the same meeting, political leadership roles within Sheffield City Council also saw changes. Tom Hunt, also from the Labour Party, was re-elected as council leader, with Labour remaining the largest party though the council remains under no overall control.
Leadership transitions were also confirmed in the Liberal Democrat and Green parties. Martin Smith took over as Liberal Democrat leader following Shaffaq Mohammed’s decision to step down. Mohammed, who was nominated for a life peerage in the House of Lords in 2024, continues to serve as councillor for Ecclesall.
Councillor Angela Argenzio has been named the new leader of the Green Party, replacing Douglas Johnson, who stepped down after six years.
