The new Mayor of Richmond upon Thames and his deputy were formally announced following last night’s Full Council Meeting.

Ben Khosa, a Liberal Democrat councillor for St Margarets and North Twickenham, becomes the 54th Mayor of the borough and will serve a twelve-month term.

He has chosen to raise money for Refuge Richmond during his Mayoral term, a charity supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, prostitution, stalking, human trafficking and modern slavery, forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and so-called ‘honour’ based violence.

Cllr Khosa said: “I am honoured to serve as the first Indian Mayor of the borough for the year 2018/19 and have chosen to fundraise for ‘Refuge Richmond’ during my term as Mayor.

Refuge Richmond does great work helping women and children affected by domestic violence in the borough and I look forward to working with them throughout the year.”

The charity also offers emergency housing and community based support for women threatened by domestic violence.

Cllr Khosa has lived in Twickenham since 1985 and has served as a Councillor since 2006.

A local businessman, he previously served as the Deputy Mayor of the borough in 2009/10 and has two children and two grandchildren who have gone to school in the borough.

He is also a keen cyclist, at one time the borough’s Cycling Champion, and enjoys Bhangra Dancing.

Cllr Mona Adams from the East Sheen ward will serve as Cllr Khosa’s Deputy.