In a ceremony rich with tradition and personal pride, Councillor Rukhsana Ismail was officially sworn in as the Mayor of Rotherham for 2025–2026, becoming the borough’s 120th First Citizen and the latest custodian of a civic role that has stood for more than a century.
But this mayoralty is more than ceremonial pageantry.
For Councillor Ismail, dressed in the formal robes of office, her daughter by her side as Consort, it is a moment layered with meaning: a milestone for her family, a marker of her community’s progress, and a beacon for others who might not yet see themselves in such a role.
“This is not just about wearing a chain,” said Mayor Ismail, speaking shortly after the Council’s annual ceremonial meeting.
“It’s about standing for something – for compassion, for public service, and for the idea that no matter where you come from, you can lead.”
A resident of Rotherham East, Councillor Ismail’s career has been shaped by a fierce commitment to the vulnerable.
From working in domestic abuse services to leading a Nottinghamshire charity as Chief Executive, she has spent her life advocating for those too often unheard. She is also a Magistrate, Vice Chair of Unison Sheffield, and trustee of several local charities – roles she has held with the quiet tenacity that has come to define her public life.
In becoming Mayor, she follows outgoing Mayor Councillor Sheila Cowen, and brings with her a vision that places dignity, inclusion and inspiration at its core. Her choice of Mayoral charities reflects that ethos, and include: Rotherham Hospice Trust, Age UK Rotherham, Sense Rotherham and Apna Haq.
“These organisations remind us what truly matters,” she said. “From the youngest to the oldest, they speak to the soul of our borough.”
But perhaps most moving was her message to young people – especially girls across Rotherham: “If I can achieve this, so can they.”
