Bhim Saru is Nuneaton and Bedworth’s new Mayor following last night’s Mayor Making Ceremony at Nuneaton Town Hall.
He received the chains of office from Cllr Bill Hancox, who had held the post for the last year, his third term of office, with his wife Alderwoman Sheila Hancox as Mayoress.
He is the first member of the Gurkha and Nepalese community to hold the prestigious office, and his wife Sharmila is the new Mayoress.
Cllr Saru is a retired Captain from the Royal Engineers regiment and has an embroidery business in the borough.
He is also a President in the British Gurkha Veterans Association and volunteers as an advisor to support several Nepalese communities in the UK.
Cllr Saru, who represents St Mary’s Ward, said:
“It is a tremendous honour for myself, my family, and the entire Gurkha and Nepalese community for myself to be chosen as Borough Mayor.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to the next 12 months and especially having the opportunity to meet many of our Borough’s residents during my civic engagements.’’
The Borough is home to a large Gurkha and Nepalese community and has a Gurkha War Memorial which was built in Riversley Park in 2015 to commemorate 200 years of service to the crown and country.
Cllr Saru was proposed by Cllr Brady Hughes and seconded by Cllr Nicky King.
Cllr Saru’s deputy is Cllr Tracy Sheppard, whose consort is her father, former councillor Bill Sheppard, who held the position of Centenary Mayor in 2007/2008. Her mother, Cllr Jill Sheppard, was Mayor in 2016/2017.