The West Finchley Labour councillor is Senior Rabbi at Southgate Progressive Synagogue

Barnet's new mayor in his mayor robes and chain — Cllr Danny Rich receiving the chains of office as mayor – (Credit – Barnet Council)

West Finchley councillor Danny Rich has become the 61st Mayor of Barnet having been officially sworn in during yesterday’s Annual Council Meeting.

Cllr Rich takes over from the borough’s previous mayor, Cllr Tony Vourou. The mayoress will be his wife, Laura Lassman. Cllr Rich has selected Unitas Youth Zone and the Jewish Deaf Association as the charities he will support during his year as mayor.

The deputy mayor will be Cllr Edith Ngozi David and her husband Flint David will be the deputy mayor’s escort.

Speaking after being sworn in, the new mayor said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been elected mayor of the London Borough of Barnet.

“When I moved to Barnet, having spent the first 50 years or so of my life south of the River Thames, such a possibility would never have crossed my mind. It is true that I once stood unsuccessfully for Elmbridge Borough Council, Surrey, and have served as Christmas Day driver and a member of the chaplaincy team for a number of Mayors of Kingston.

“When I was approached to stand for Barnet Council I agreed because I saw an opportunity to assist local residents in receiving services, to support voluntary group efforts and to enhance the borough we live in.

“These remain my objectives as your mayor and it is my fervent hope to meet as many of you as I can.”

Cllr Rich was born and brought up in South London before studying politics and modern history at Manchester University. After ordination from the Leo Baeck College in Finchley, he served as Rabbi to Kingston Liberal Synagogue for two decades. He was Senior Rabbi and chief executive of Liberal Judaism between 2005 and 2020.

He is currently Senior Rabbi at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, while also serving as a magistrate and a hospital chaplain.

Cllr Rich was first elected as a councillor for West Finchley in 2018 and has previously chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.