Gail Smith is the 124th Lord Mayor of Sheffield.
Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Gail Smith and Consort Mr Stephen Smith
I was born in Handsworth, Sheffield. The 7th child. My mother was a stay-at-home mum and my father was a works manager in various steel works. My favourite subjects at school were sport and history.
I love that I came from a large family, my elder brothers and sisters taught me such a lot. As a young child I would listen to them sat around the table with my father debating the news or politics of the day, I did not know then, but it was a learning curve for my future life as a politician.
I got married to Stephen in 1981. We first lived in Woodhouse where Stephen grew up, then moved to Mosborough in 1992.
Stephen is retired now but worked as a mechanic mending lorries. His passion is Sheffield Wednesday, a place where most of his family worked, so when he was old enough, he worked as a steward there alongside his uncles. He also loves sailing.
My 3 chosen charities for this year are Friends Hi5s. The Salvation Army (as my mother always told me, if you never support any other charity, give to the Salvation Army, they saved your grandad in the first world war). My 3rd charity is the Sheffield Hospitals Charity. As someone who has worked in the NHS and as someone who has been a patient, I have a lot to thank them for.
I have a dog, Charlie, who is my best friend and he keeps me active.
I have lived in Sheffield all my life. I am passionate about my city and so proud to represent all the people who live here.
My year as Lord Mayor will be very much a family affair. As well as my husband Stephen supporting me, my daughters will also share that roll.
We are up for a challenge and we are looking forward to meeting some amazing people as we work around the city.
I trained to be a nurse in Sheffield from the age of 17 at King Edward VII Hospital. Then worked in other hospitals in Sheffield. In 1977 I was the first nurse ever to work at Orgreave Coking Plant and, yes, I was there during the troubles.
I have 2 daughters, Rachael and Elizabeth. I was lucky to be a stay-at-home Mum and that’s when I got involved in the local community.
I was first elected to the Council in 1992. Since then, I have held many posts:
Chair of the Environment committee, Leisure Chair, Cabinet member for Health and, the hardest job on the Council, Chief Whip
My passion is young people. I set up a charity to support young people with learning disabilities, in a youth club setting. We take them on holiday every year, usually to an outward-bound centre. I am passionate about all young people and even more so after this long lockdown.
I want to use my year as Lord Mayor to bring people together and to say thank you to all the marvellous people who have kept us safe by working through-out the pandemic.
Inviting the Lord Mayor to an event
Please contact the Lord Mayor’s Office if you would like to invite the Lord Mayor to an event. If you are sending an invite in the post or by email please include appropriate details such as the date, time, place and type of event.
The Lord Mayor has a full programme of civic engagements and it is not always possible to fit in events at short notice.
Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund
Charitable donations are given to the Lord Mayor from various individuals and organisations throughout the year. These are controlled by the Lord Mayor’s Office acknowledging donations, banking the money and keeping appropriate records. This year the money collected in the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund will benefit: