Hounslow’s New Mayoral Team Appointed

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Cllr Genevieve Hibbs and Cllr Shirley Fisher Take Over Official Duties

Councillor Doctor Genevieve Hibbs is the new mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow. She replaces Cllr Andrew Morgan-Watts as the borough's first citizen.

Speaking after her election at the annual general meeting of the Borough Council on 20 May, she said,“I am so excited to have been elected mayor, it is a fantastic privilege. In 1998, I wrote my goal to make 10,000 new friends in my lifetime. I could not see how that would ever be possible. To be able to meet and interact with so many unique people is great.”

Cllr Hibbs, who held the position of lead member for service improvement until her appointment as mayor, has also been a ward councillor for Isleworth since 2002. She explained,“I have a long connection with Isleworth. I completed my nursing training at the West Mid hospital from 1954 to 1957 and came back to Isleworth in 1980, as senior lecturer in health studies at West London Institute, and lived there 22 years.”

Explaining her vision for her mayoral year, Cllr Hibbs said,“I am looking forward to launching exciting projects during this year. The theme is celebrating communication and building relationships. I would love to have every person in the borough learn at least one form of non-verbal communication during the year. This could be anything from finger spelling to mime, dance, sign language or texting! I want people to enjoy other people especially ones who for age, language or sensory reasons, communicate in different ways.”

Cllr Hibbs has worked as a nurse, midwife, Christian missionary, and specialised in health care at work. In her spare time, Cllr Hibbs enjoys a range of hobbies. She explained, “In particular I focus on recording some of the amazing things that I see.”

Cllr Hibbs concluded, "I am delighted to have Councillor Shirley Fisher as Madam Deputy Mayor and her husband Councillor Paul Fisher to support her. They are great local citizens. You will enjoy meeting them."

Syon ward councillor, Shirley Fisher, has lived in Isleworth for 11 years and was elected to the council in 2006. She said,“It was quite a shock and a surprise to chosen as deputy mayor. I feel very proud to have been asked and am looking forward to the forthcoming year and a new challenge. I am hoping to arrange some fund raising events for our charities and will hopefully meet lots of new people in my travels across the borough.”

May 21, 2008