Former Taxi Driver Shaukat Ali Becomes Manchester’s New Lord Mayor

Shaukat Ali has officially become the 128th Lord Mayor of Manchester, marking an inspiring journey from working as a taxi driver to holding one of the city’s most prestigious civic positions.

Ali was sworn in during Manchester City Council’s traditional mayor-making ceremony on Wednesday, describing the occasion as both proud and deeply emotional following the passing of his mother just one day earlier after a long illness.

Born in Pakistan in 1965 and raised in the village of Batli in Kashmir, Ali moved to Manchester at the age of 16 in search of better opportunities and a brighter future.

Over the years, he worked in textile manufacturing, operated a furniture business and a small food outlet, and later spent several years working as a licensed taxi driver in Manchester while studying English during evening classes. He eventually earned an IT diploma from City College Manchester, continuing to build his life and career in the city he now proudly represents.

Speaking after his appointment, Ali reflected on his remarkable journey and the opportunities Manchester provided him and his family.

“Manchester has given me everything I have today,” Ali said during his maiden speech as Lord Mayor.

He also paid tribute to the city’s multicultural identity and strong sense of unity.

“Manchester is a city built on diversity, culture, and fairness. It’s a city where people from every background, culture, faith, and belief live side by side, contributing to the rich fabric that makes Manchester truly special,” he said.

Ali, a father of four, has served as a councillor since 2012 and has built more than a decade of experience in local government. During his time on council, he worked on several important committees and regional boards, including planning and highways, neighbourhood services, and children’s scrutiny committees.

As Lord Mayor, Ali said he plans to focus his year in office on supporting children in social care and strengthening community cohesion throughout Manchester.

The ceremony also marked the conclusion of the term of outgoing Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw, who was praised for his dedication and extensive community engagement during his tenure.

Grimshaw said his year as Lord Mayor reinforced the importance of local communities in shaping the city’s identity and future.

“If there’s one thing that this year has shown me beyond any doubt, it is that the real heartbeat of Manchester is within its communities,” Grimshaw said.

Manchester councillor Pat Karney praised Grimshaw’s “magnificent” service, highlighting that the outgoing Lord Mayor attended more than 500 engagements and visited every ward across the city during his term.

Ali’s appointment has been widely viewed as a symbol of opportunity, diversity, and social mobility within Manchester, reflecting the city’s long-standing multicultural identity and immigrant success stories.

His rise from newcomer and taxi driver to Lord Mayor has resonated strongly within local communities and among many immigrant families across the United Kingdom.

The new Lord Mayor’s story also highlights the role local government continues to play in promoting representation and inclusion in one of Britain’s most diverse major cities.

Courtesy: BBC