New Mayor of St Helens Borough Sworn in for 2025-2026

Article date: 14 May 2025

The Annual Council meeting saw Councillor Gomez-Aspron, who represents Newton-le-Willows East ward, sworn in during a time-honoured ceremony dating back to 1868. Councillor Bisi Osundeko has been appointed Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year.

Councillor Gomez-Aspron succeeds Councillor Jeanette Banks, who attended more than 300 engagements and raised over £5,000 for St Helens Young Carers Centre during her mayoral year.

Speaking after his appointment, Councillor Gomez-Aspron said: "It is a tremendous honour and privilege to serve as Mayor of my home borough. I am incredibly proud to represent the place where I was born, raised, and continue to call home. I look forward to championing our communities and representing all residents of St Helens Borough in the year ahead."

Born and brought up in Newton-le-Willows, Councillor Gomez-Aspron attended Wargrave Primary School and Newton-le-Willows High School before studying at Carmel College. He later graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Biochemistry and went on to complete a PGCE. He worked as a Chemistry lecturer for six years before joining the Health and Safety Executive.

A passionate advocate for the Armed Forces and veteran community, Councillor Gomez-Aspron has pledged to continue supporting servicemen and women during his time in office. He is also a dedicated community volunteer with a strong interest in local and social history, particularly the area's rich railway heritage.

For his mayoral year, Councillor Gomez-Aspron has chosen to support two key charities with strong connections to the borough: Willowbrook Hospice and Racing Welfare Association.

Willowbrook Hospice is an independent UK charity formed in 1993 to establish and create a local, specialist palliative care unit for St Helens Borough and the wider area.

The Racing Welfare Association enhances and supports the wellbeing of those involved in racing, giving them the support and the opportunity to thrive at all levels in the industry. This support covers caring costs and expenses, housing advice, physical and mental health, financial matters, career support around being injured both in or outside of the workplace.

The charity is particularly relevant in St Helens and Newton-le-Willows, with Haydock Racecourse being a key economic driver in the area since 1899.