When Marvin Rees was elected in May 2016, he became the first directly elected mayor of Black African heritage of any major European city.
Why you should listen
Mayor Marvin Rees has navigated the city of Bristol through some formidable challenges: national austerity measures, Brexit, the climate and ecological emergencies, protestors hauling down the statue of a slaver and, of course, COVID-19. He has pioneered new approaches to city leadership through the One City approach, championed social programs like Stepping Up and built thousands of new affordable homes. He strives to drive ambition, confront social immobility, promote economic inclusivity and improve life for all his city's residents.
Before taking office, Rees worked at the international development agency Tearfund, was a broadcast journalist at the BBC and a program manager for the National Health Service. He was re-elected as mayor in 2021.
