The mayor of Harrow

Councillor Anjana Patel is proud to serve as the 73rd Mayor of Harrow, making history as the UK’s first British Tanzanian, Indian-born Mayor and Harrow’s first Hindu woman Mayor.

Born and raised in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Cllr Patel spent five years in India before moving to the UK in 1975. She has lived in the London Borough of Harrow for over 25 years. Alongside raising a family, she built a distinguished 30-year career in British banking, working in the City of London while dedicating herself to public service.

Elected as a councillor in 2002, she currently represents Belmont Ward and has held several key leadership roles, including Cabinet Member for Community & Culture, Schools & Children’s Development, and Environment & Community Safety. She previously served as Deputy Mayor before being elected Mayor in May 2025.

As Lead Member for Equality & Diversity at London Councils, she launched the pioneering “Be a Councillor” campaign, encouraging women, ethnic minorities, and young people to enter local politics. She also made history as the first Asian woman to serve as Chief Whip of the Conservative Group in Harrow.

Her commitment to the community extends well beyond politics. She has served as a trustee and board member for organisations including Harrow MENCAP, MIND in Harrow, The Arts Council (London Region), and the Harrow Heritage Trust. She has also been a school governor for over 15 years and has worked closely with organisations such as the National Congress of Gujarati Organisations, the Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK, and the National Patidar Samaj to promote culture, inclusion, and community cohesion.

Her mayoral theme is “Kindness, Caring and Respect”, and her chosen charities for the year are VIA and the Samaritans.

Guided by the teachings of her Guru, Pramukh Swami — “In the joy of others lies our own” — Mayor Patel continues to serve with compassion, integrity, and a clear vision of building a united and inclusive Harrow.

Mayor's role and responsibilities

The mayor is the First Citizen of the London Borough of Harrow. The mayor's office is apolitical. This means that the mayor is politically neutral. They represent the council at civic and ceremonial events. Their attendance at events can add to their importance.
Their responsibilities include:

• Attending different types of functions throughout Harrow.
• Chairing full council meetings. This ensures that we follow constitutional provisions.
• Hosting citizenship ceremonies.
• Hosting visits to the mayor's parlour from various groups and schools.
• Hosting visitors, including representatives of various organisations. As well as foreign visitors like those from our twin town of Douai, France.

Mayor's dress code

The mayor wears their chain and badge of office at functions and events held in Harrow. The mayor does not wear their robes at non-civic events, except in special cases.

Mayor's Chain

The Harrow chain was given gifted by Alderman C.E Brady O.B.E in 1942. He was the first person to wear it when he was elected Chairman in 1943. He later adapted the gift, and it is now the mayoral chain for Harrow. The chain was made in Birmingham by Thomas Fattorini Limited. It is worn by the mayor when attending official engagements.

Mayor's Mace

The mace is the symbol of the mayor's authority. It precedes the mayor at ceremonies and full council meetings. Maces were originally weapons of war, used as clubs and bludgeons. Maces today are merely used ceremonially.

The tapestry on Harrow's mace shows one being wielded by Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Harrow's mace was presented to the Borough in 1954 by the then local MP, Sir Albert Braithwaite D.S.O M.C M.P.

Mayor's Robe

On some civic or ceremonial occasions, the mayor wears a scarlet robe. It is made of superfine scarlet wool with a fur or fake fur trimming. This is based on a High Court Judge's robe. The robes are worn with a lace jabot (like a cravat) at the neck. Lace cuffs may also be worn with white cotton gloves.
The same robes are worn whether the mayor is male or female; but:

• If male, the mayor wears a bicorn hat with a gold cockade.
• If female, the mayor wears a tricorne hat again with a gold cockade.

The cockade is always worn on the right-hand side.

Mayor's Crest

See the video where the mayoral crest is described by Mr Mark Dickens. Mr Mark Dickens is a direct descendant of Charles Dickens.

Mayor's chosen charity and donations

The Mayor’s chosen charities are:

• Harrow Samaritans (Reg Charity No. 1174064). 
  They are the Harrow branch of Samaritans with over 60 years supporting those in need of emotional support. Whatever you’re facing, Samaritans are there to listen. Call free day or night on 116 123. 
• Via (Reg Charity No. 1031602)
  Via Harrow provides free, confidential support in Harrow for anyone 18+ affected by alcohol, drugs, or looking to quit smoking or vaping. Call 0300 303 2868, email harrow@viaorg.uk or visit www.viaorg.uk/services/harrow/ to find out what help is available.

You can donate to the mayor's charity appeal by bank transfer:

• Account name: London Borough of Harrow Mayor of Harrow Special Appeal Bank
• Account number: 85692271
• Bank Sort Code: 60-10-10
• Reference: Patel

Event attendance

• Arrival time. The mayor will arrive 10 minutes before an event. (This is unless requested otherwise). The mayor should be welcomed at the entrance by a responsible person. They should escort the mayor to the event.
• Car. Please arrange parking for the mayoral car near the event entrance.
• Attendance of the Deputy mayor. When the deputy mayor attends a function in the mayor's place, he should be given the same respect as the mayor.

Ceremony and protocol

The correct title of the mayor is 'The worshipful the mayor of the London Borough of Harrow'. The correct forms of verbal address are:

• The mayor (male): Mr Mayor.
• The mayor (female): Madam Mayor is the correct form of address. 
• The mayoress: Madam mayoress, or mayoress. It is incorrect to refer to the mayoress as the Lady mayoress.
• The Consort: Mr (followed by name).
• The Deputy mayor: Mr Deputy mayor.
• The Deputy mayoress: Madam Deputy mayoress, or Deputy mayoress.

The mayor is the borough's first citizen. He/she has statutory precedence, ranking him/her just below the Royal Family. The only exception is when His Majesty's Lieutenant (or a Deputy Lieutenant acting for the Lord Lieutenant) is attending to represent the Sovereign.

At a function, unless Royalty (or a representative) is present, the mayor should be to the immediate right of the presiding person. It is customary for those present to rise when the mayor enters and leaves.