King’s is deeply proud of our alumnus, Councillor Hamza Taouzzale and his ongoing commitment to public service and local communities, especially his work with young people across Westminster. His appointment as The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Westminster at such an early stage in his political career is testament to his collaborative approach and commitment to supporting communities across the borough. We wish Councillor Taouzzale every success in this vitally important role and look forward to working in partnership with him and the City of Westminster as we continue to deliver on the shared ambitions set out more than three years ago in our joint Statement of Intent.”
Baroness Deborah Bull, Vice President (Communities & National Engagement)
09 June 2022
Global Affairs MSc alumnus elected Lord Mayor for Westminster City Council
Hamza Taouzzale (Global Affairs, 2021) is Westminster City’s first Muslim Lord Mayor and the first person from a Black, Asian or Multiple Ethnic background to hold the post.
At 22, Taouzzale is also the youngest Lord Mayor for Westminster City Council.
Taouzzale recently completed his master’s in Global Affairs and will graduate from King’s in September.
Following his appointment, Taouzzale shared how his education and time at King’s has shaped his journey to becoming Lord Mayor.
I would not be where I am today were it not for the support and guidance from my family, friends, and education. I will never forget my time at King’s and would like to thank you and all the staff for the opportunities given to me, and most importantly for taking a genuine interest in my life. Your knowledge and wisdom helped guide me to where I find myself now.”
Hamza Taouzzale
Staff from across the School of Global Affairs, where Taouzzale completed his master’s, wished Taouzzale well in his post and commented on his passion for helping others. This included his dissertation tutor, Sunil Kumar, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the King's India Institute, and his personal tutor, Louise Tillin, Director of King's India Institute.
As a student at King’s, Hamza was passionate to translate his experience and insights into inequality and poverty — particularly the parts of it engendered by race and questions of belonging — into research and learning. I greatly enjoyed working with him on his dissertation and learned a lot in the process. Hamza’s election as Lord Mayor for Westminster is fantastic news, and I wish him every success for bringing about real change.”
Sunil Kumar, Senior Lecturer and Hamza Taouzzale’s dissertation supervisor
The achievements of King’s alumni are an incredible source of pride to the university, and Hamza Taouzzale’s accomplishments at such a young age will serve as an inspiration to those that follow. We wish him all the very best in his role as Lord Mayor of Westminster and the important role he will play in supporting the city’s diverse communities.”
Hannah Harrison, Head of Alumni Relations
As the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Taouzzale will celebrate the achievements of Westminster’s citizens and communities, support the city’s diverse communities and promote and represent Westminster.
Reflecting on his new role, Taouzzale said: “At 22, I’m proud to say that I’m the youngest ever incumbent and I want to pack as much as I possibly can into my year in office. Because it’s a Jubilee year my diary has been filled with royal events from turning up at street parties to attending official engagements.
“In fact, I was just behind Prince George for the Platinum Party at the Palace - not bad for a boy who grew up on a Westminster council estate.
“While that is all great fun, I want the business of my mayoralty to be about getting out into the community, being at smaller events and making connection between the people living on the city’s housing estates and City Hall.
“It’s only been a few months since I was at King’s finishing my Masters in Global Politics, and up until I landed this job I had been planning on starting a career – I guess this will be my gap year.
“I have to say thank you to everyone at King’s, it was truly a privilege to study at the same college of so many distinguished alumni, who include but are not limited to, Rosalind Franklin, Thomas Hardy, Peter Higgs, Derek Jarman, Hanif Kureshi, and Desmond Tutu.
“They are all great and inspirational figures who one can only hope to one day emulate.”