Mayor of Rotherham – Councillor Rukhsana Ismail

Throughout her term, the Mayor will place the Rotherham community at the heart of everything she does. She says her role as First Citizen of Rotherham is “a very big responsibility and an honour” and that she is very excited to get started.

Although she was born in Sheffield, the Mayor moved with her family to Birmingham when she was very young. When she got married, she moved back to South Yorkshire, settling in a tight-knit community before moving from Sheffield to Rotherham with her young family in 2010.

The Mayor is driven by her desire to set high standards, to be a role model for her three daughters, and to give them the tools to create a successful life for themselves, instilling a positive “can do” attitude. Inspiring the wider community is also at the forefront of her thinking.

She returned to education, first going back to college to complete her GCSEs and then her A Levels. At the same time, she began volunteering for a domestic abuse and human trafficking charity in Sheffield. Once she completed her A Levels, she started working as a caseworker and soon rose through the ranks—becoming a co-ordinator, then manager, head of safeguarding, and eventually the Chief Executive Officer of a charity in Nottinghamshire.

Passionate about supporting her community, the Mayor also undertakes a range of other roles including serving as a Magistrate, chairing the South Yorkshire Community Foundation Panel for Rotherham, acting as vice chair for Unison Sheffield Branch, and working as a trustee for Rotherham Age UK, Rotherham Hospice, and the South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association. She also sits on various community groups and panels.

She reflects:
“If you had told me 10 to 15 years ago that I’d become a Councillor, a Magistrate, a Chief Executive Officer or even the Mayor, I’d say ‘carry on dreaming’. If I can do all of that, I think anyone can. You just have to believe in yourself. It’s the dedication that makes you able to achieve anything, and giving back to the community that means more than anything else.”

The Mayor is looking forward to meeting people who work in the community to provide support and care for those who need it most. She adds, “What I’m also super excited about is my daughter being my Mayoress!”

For 2025–2026, the Mayor will be supporting four charities: The Rotherham Hospice Trust, Age UK Rotherham, Sense Rotherham, and Apna Haq.

She explains:
“As Mayor, I have chosen these charities because together they represent the heart of our community – caring for people at every stage of life and in times of greatest need. From providing end-of-life care and supporting our older residents, to championing the rights of those with complex needs and protecting vulnerable women and girls. These charities reflect the compassion, strength, and diversity of Rotherham.”