Worcester's new Mayor has taken up residence in the Parlour at the Guildhall. Cllr Allah Ditta was voted in at the Annual Council meeting on 14 May, taking over the chain of office from outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jabba Riaz.
This will be Cllr Ditta's second mayoral term in office; he became the city's first Asian Mayor in 2004.
Cllr Jo Hodges is Worcester's new Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Allah Ditta said: "I look forward to a challenging but fulfilling year as Mayor of Worcester.
"My door is open and one of my aims will be to strengthen communication between Worcester's communities, bringing people together from all parts of the city."
Cllr Ditta's nominated charities during his mayoral year will be St. Richard's Hospice, Worcester Wheels and Headway Worcestershire. He will also be raising funds to support Worcester Cathedral.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Allah Ditta moved to Worcester in 1967 and attended Samuel Southall School, which is now Bishop Perowne CE High School. He has been both employed and self employed, running a grocery store and a city taxi firm.
Cllr Ditta was first elected to Worcester City Council in 2000. He is a member of Disability Sport Worcester, the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, and the Cemeteries and Crematorium Forum.
He is married to Naseem Akhtar, who will be Mayoress. The couple have six children and twelve grandchildren.
