On 16 May 2013, Shirley Crookes, Head of Student Support, became Lady Mayoress of Coventry. Her husband, Councillor Gary Crookes, became Lord Mayor of Coventry 2013-14, following a ceremony in Coventry Cathedral. It is an office they will hold for a year after having been Deputies in 2012-13.

Councillor Crookes serves as a councillor for Wainbody ward, which incorporates a large part of the university campus. He was first elected to the Council in 1995. He was elected to the position of Lord Mayor following 18 years’ service on Coventry City Council

Shirley has worked for the university for 30 years, much of this time in the Counselling Service, but for the past year has been Head of Student Support. She says:

'I’m really proud to be the Lady Mayoress of my home city. We have already met lots of interesting people and have been amazed at the number and variety of great things that are happening in and around Coventry. We are looking forward to the year ahead which will hopefully include some civic visits to the university and our twin cities.'

Councillor Crookes came to Coventry in 1973 having met his Coventry born wife, Shirley, whilst they we were both studying at University College of North Wales, Bangor.

The role is one of only 30 Lord Mayors’ in the country as the title has to be bestowed upon a city by Letters Patent from the Queen.

More information about the Lord Mayor of Coventry is availble on the Coventry City Council website