A new civic year has commenced in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with Councillor David Gardner officially inaugurated as the Mayor for the 2026-2027 term. Councillor Gardner, a resident of Charlton for more than three decades, is serving his fifth term as a councillor, representing his home ward of Charlton Village and Riverside.
Throughout his tenure in local government, he has held various significant positions, including Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, and other portfolios. He has also chaired multiple committees and panels, overseeing highways improvements and serving on both the Audit and Risk Management and Scrutiny panels.
Beyond his council work, Councillor Gardner has been actively involved with community organisations, charities, and school governance. He has championed the London Living Wage and helped the borough achieve Borough of Sanctuary status.
Councillor Gardner said: “It is a tremendous honour to serve as the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Having lived in Charlton for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the strength of our communities. During my mayoral year, I want to celebrate this strength and the incredible contribution our volunteers, environmental champions, and community groups who work tirelessly to improve our borough and support our residents make. I look forward to meeting residents, businesses, schools and those in the voluntary sector over the next year alongside my wife Alison Chubb who will be Mayoress, and with the support of deputy mayor, Councillor Raja Zeeshan.”
Councillor Gardner has selected two charities for his mayoral fundraising activities: the Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP), which supports the homeless and people experiencing loneliness by providing a warm welcome, meals, advice, and other vital services; and the South London Special League, which supports young people with learning disabilities through football and tennis, specifically to raise money for new chairs for PowerChair Football, now available at the state-of-the-art leisure centre Woolwich Waves, open to those with learning and physical disabilities.
For more information, visit the Mayor of Royal Greenwich Charity Appeal.
