Cllr Andy Morgan was officially appointed as Bolton’s First Citizen at a full council meeting today (May 15).
He takes on the role from Cllr Mohammed Ayub, who will now perform the duties of deputy mayor.
Cllr Morgan was born and raised in Leicester before joining the Army a week before his 16th birthday.
He graduated from training 18 months later and joined his regiment, the Army Air Corps, serving in Germany, Canada, and Northern Ireland.
After securing a position with British Aerospace he moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 22 where he spent ten years working for the company in Riyadh.
He returned to the UK with his family in 1999 and settled in Bolton after purchasing the family business, a care home, which they still own and where he is the managing director.
He has three sons with Helen, Elliott (26), Oliver (25) and Dominic (21) who all still live and work in Bolton.
In 2002 Cllr Morgan started his council career when he was elected to represent the then ward of Hulton Park until 2014.
In 2015 he was re-elected to the council representing the now Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor ward.
Cllr Morgan has been the shadow portfolio holder for the Adults, Health and Wellbeing portfolio since joining the council and was Executive Cabinet Member responsible for Adults Services, Safeguarding and Housing Services.
He has also held the positions of Adults and Health Scrutiny Chairman, served on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Scrutiny Committee and also the GMCA Health Scrutiny Committee and has been a member of the Planning Committee for 20 years.
He was also Bolton Council’s Armed Forces Champion for four years.
He has been with his partner Karen for 17 years and she will be his mayoress for his term of office.
During his year as mayor, Cllr Morgan will be supporting Bolton Hospice, Bolton FM, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, and the Darren Deady Foundation.
He has been a Trustee at Bolton Hospice since 2010, a Trustee of Bolton FM since 2018 and, as an armed forces veteran, has a natural affinity with the Darren Deady Foundation.
His family business is also a Community Partner of Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
As an adopted Boltonian, I am truly honoured to have been asked to become the First Citizen of our amazing town and borough.
Cllr Morgan said: “There are many amazing charities doing outstanding work for the Bolton family and I cannot thank them enough.
“During my mayoral year myself and the mayoress would like to meet as many of you as possible to personally thank you and celebrate all the great work you do in support of our borough.
“As an adopted Boltonian, I am truly honoured to have been asked to become the First Citizen of our amazing town and borough for the municipal year 2024/25.
“I will dedicate my mayoral year to promoting Bolton, our vibrant communities, and its residents.”
Following the appointment of a new mayor, the annual Civic Sunday Parade and Church Service will be held on May 19.
The procession will set off from Victoria Square at 10.30am and proceed via Hotel Street, Mealhouse Lane, Deansgate and Churchgate before an 11am service at the Parish Church.
The parade will be commanded by the 216 Battery Royal Artillery (v), Bolton’s local TA unit.
The Lancashire Artillery Band will lead the procession and will be joined by cadets, veterans, youth organisations and groups.
