Cynthia Barker has been appointed Mayor of Hertsmere in Hertfordshire, England, the first Philippine-born official to hold the prestigious post.
As mayor, Barker continues to make her kababayans proud after she also became the first Filipino to be elected as Councillor and Deputy Mayor in the United Kingdom.
The former Hertsmere deputy mayor was appointed and sworn to the post during the Hertsmere Borough Council’s Annual Meeting on June 24, 2020, that was conducted virtually due to lockdown restrictions.
“While it is disappointing that we weren’t able to mark the moment in the usual way, I am still so proud and honoured to take on this role,” Barked said during the meeting.
Former Mayor Rabbi Alan Plancey commended Cynthia Barker as an excellent Deputy Mayor and said she will continue to serve the community well in her new role.
Barker revealed her priorities during her year as mayor include raising money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the leading UK charity preventing child abuse and helping those affected.
Also addressing the impact of COVID-19, Barker acknowledges the importance of the role of Mayor at this time of uncertainty, fear, and sadness for so many.
“I hope to carry on Councilllor Plancey’s work by celebrating all the wonderful support provided in our borough, particularly by the voluntary sector, and recognising all the brave and remarkable people who have helped fight coronavirus and are now picking up the pieces as we emerge on the other side,” said Hertsmere’s new leader.
Born in Laguna, Barker has lived in Hertsmere for 29 years, where she has been active in serving the community. Some of her previous roles include improving the wellbeing of resident’s lives as Councillor, council representative for the Youth Council, serving the Operations Review, Audit and Member Training and Development Group, and many more.
The Philippines continues to grab many “firsts” in having internationally recognized leaders like nurse Danilo “Danny” Favor who became the first Pinoy mayor of East Grinstead in West Sussex, United Kingdom and Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino New Zealander Member of Parliament.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Mayor Cynthia Barker for being the first Filipino mayor of Hertsmere in the UK!
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