Councillor Stephen Holroyd and his consort, Simon Mapals, yesterday became the first openly gay couple to hold the office of Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor’s Consort of Leeds.
Councillor Holroyd was confirmed as the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds yesterday following Leeds City Council’s annual general meeting, replacing Councillor Dan Cohen in the role.
Councillor Holroyd will be joined throughout his mayoral year by his partner, Simon Mapals, who will serve as the Lord Mayor’s consort.
Born and raised in Wakefield before moving to Leeds in 2014, Councillor Holroyd developed a strong sense of community that continues to guide his public service.
Before he was elected to the council in 2023 for the Ardsley and Robin Hood ward, most of Councillor Holroyd’s career was spent in the hospitality sector, where he built extensive experience in customer service, leadership, and community engagement. He later moved into the financial sector, supporting people from Leeds and beyond.
Alongside his council duties, Councillor Holroyd serves as a governor at Thorpe Primary School, supporting the education and wellbeing of local children. A committed fundraiser, he has taken on several charitable challenges, including completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks in support of Macmillan.
Simon Mapals, the Lord Mayor’s Consort, was born and brought up in Leeds and has worked in the hospitality industry since the age of thirteen. Today, he manages one of the most established and well-recognised LGBTQ+ venues in the city.
As is traditional for a new Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Holroyd has nominated two charities to fundraise for during his term of office, selecting MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice.
MESMAC has stood as the backbone of the LGBTQ+ community for over 35 years. More than just a sexual health service, MESMAC is a safe space for marginalised communities, built on the principle of by us, for us. From HIV support and rapid testing to mental health advocacy and social groups, they meet you where you are, without judgment, without barriers, without exception.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Stephen Holroyd, said: “I’m honoured to become the 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds, especially as we continue to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Royal charter creating our city throughout 2026.
“Leeds is an incredibly diverse city, and I’m looking forward to getting out into our communities and meeting as many people as possible, making new friends and drawing people together through celebrating our differences while embracing what binds us together as a city.
“I’m equally honoured to be representing two incredible Leeds charities in MESMAC and St Gemma’s Hospice, who I hope to be able to raise much-needed funds to support their important work.”
The new Lord Mayor’s Consort, Simon Mapals, said: “I’m very honoured to become the Lord Mayor’s Consort and to support Stephen in his mayoral duties throughout the coming year.
“I really look forward to meeting the incredible and diverse communities of our city and making new friends along the way.”
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