Bangladeshi-origin Nadia Shah becomes mayor of Camden

Bangladeshi-origin Councillor Nadia Shah has been officially appointed as the new Mayor of Camden at a ceremony held at Camden Town Hall on Wednesday.

Councillor Shah represents Regent’s Park ward of Camden. Tulip Siddiq was a councillor at Regents Park ward before becoming MP.

London Borough of Camden has a large Bangladeshi community like East End Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Shah is of Bangladeshi origin but was born and raised in Camden. As a teenager she volunteered with young people in the borough, and has since managed projects helping people with drug issues and a community centre as a social worker.

She said: “I went to school in Camden and I’ve worked here all my working life and am very proud to take on the role of Mayor of Camden.”

“My work has given me an insight into the struggles that people face in their lives, and the support needed for them to flourish. I’m passionate about helping people to get the most out of life – from basic rights, to enabling opportunity and equality.

“Over the years I have worked with a number of organisations in Camden to improve access to services for the less able people, disadvantaged and vulnerable. I look forward to using my time as mayor to make a positive impact for those who need that extra support the most.”

During her time in office, Councillor Shah will be raising money for the Anna Freud Centre.

The Anna Freud Centre helps young people experiencing mental health problems in Camden through direct clinical services to families and pioneering research.

They provide support to the most vulnerable families through work within homeless hostels, youth centres and schools in the borough.

Expressing joy at Shah’s appointment as Mayor, Katy Vaughan, Head of Fundraising at Anna Freud Centre, said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Mayor of Camden”.