“It was a deeply emotional day for me"
A former taxi driver has become the new Lord Mayor of Manchester, describing his appointment as a “deeply emotional” moment following the death of his mother.
Councillor Shaukat Ali was sworn in as the 128th Lord Mayor of Manchester during a ceremony on May 20, 2026.
Born in Pakistan in 1965, Ali grew up in the village of Batli in Kashmir before moving to Manchester at the age of 16.
His appointment came a day after the death of his mother following a long-term illness.
Ali said: “It was a deeply emotional day for me, my mother passed away yesterday after a long-term illness, and I feel profound sadness that she is not here to share this very special moment with me.”
Before entering politics, Ali worked in textile manufacturing and later ran a furniture business and a small food outlet.
He also spent several years working as a licensed taxi driver in Manchester while studying English during evening classes. He later gained an IT diploma from City College Manchester.
Ali was first elected as a councillor in 2012 and has since served on several key committees, including planning and highways, children’s scrutiny, neighbourhood services and regional boards.
During his mayoral year, he said he plans to focus on supporting children in social care and strengthening community cohesion across the city.
In his maiden speech as Lord Mayor, Ali said: “Manchester is a city built on diversity, culture, and fairness. It’s a city where people from every background, culture, faith, and belief live side by side, contributing to the rich fabric that makes Manchester truly special.
“Manchester has given me everything I have today.”
The ceremony also marked the departure of outgoing Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw, a former councillor for Miles Platting and Newton Heath.
Reflecting on his year in office, Grimshaw said: “If there’s one thing that this year has shown me beyond any doubt, it is that the real heartbeat of Manchester is within its communities.
“It has truly been an honour to service the remarkable city, and an even greater honour for me to learn from the people who give it life, thank you the people of Manchester.”
Councillor Pat Karney praised Grimshaw’s “magnificent” record during his time as Lord Mayor, highlighting that he completed 500 engagements and visited every ward in the city.
Tributes to Grimshaw were echoed across the council chamber.
Liberal Democrat councillor John Leech said: “I think it’s fair to say that you will be genuinely missed across the whole council chamber.”
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