Mayor's biography

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque

Sunderland has been my home since my family relocated from London when I was 10 years old. 

I attended Richard Avenue Primary School and Thornhill Comprehensive School. After school I continued my education at Sunderland College, University of Sunderland, and Cambridge University. 

My family are a very important part of my life. I recently was married, and my wife and I live in my family home with my parents and siblings, I have one younger brother and two younger sisters.

I work as a civil servant and have always had a keen interest in politics, and a great passion for my local community, which ultimately led to me being elected Ward Councillor for the Barnes Ward in 2023.

During my first year as Councillor, I have been a member of the Health and Scrutiny Committee, and I am a proud governor at Richard Avenue Primary School where I was once a pupil.

I look forward to serving on more committees, gaining a better insight into what is going on in the council and the city I call home, which will only permit me to better serve the constituents in my ward and the wider community.

To be nominated and elected to the Office of Mayor was an extremely proud point in my life, especially knowing that I am Sunderland's youngest Mayor and Sunderland's first Asian Mayor.

I very much look forward to working with Cllr Lynda Scanlan who is my Mayoress, and I am equally looking forward to working with Cllr Melanie Thornton who is supporting me as Deputy Mayor throughout my term in Office.

A cause very close to my heart is to help prevent poverty amongst children and families and because of this, I am both proud and honoured to announce that I have chosen Hopespring and Love, Amelia as the two charities to be supported by the Mayor's Charities and Good Causes for 2025-2026. I am really excited to work with these two charities during the year ahead and hope to help raise the profile of both wonderful causes and to also raise some much-needed funds to help them carry on doing the great work they do on a daily basis.