Mayor of the Borough
The Mayor is the first citizen of the borough, elected for a term of office of one year from the end of May.
During the year the Mayor will represent the Borough by attending a broad range of functions, from formal receptions and official openings to visits to local clubs, schools and community groups, to 100th birthday celebrations.
Find out more about inviting the Mayor to your event and the engagements the Mayor is attending for the next four weeks.
Councillor Nick Harrison, Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead
Cllr Nick Harrison has lived in the Borough, in Epsom Downs, for over 40 years with his wife, Pamela. They are proud of their three children: Tim, Freya and Rowena, and of their grandchildren William and Edward.
He grew up in Surrey and gained a degree in economics and social studies from the University of East Anglia in Norwich. He trained as a chartered accountant and worked in the City for over 35 years. As a consultant, he specialised in designing and implementing IT systems for international banks in London and his work led to several years abroad in Switzerland and Kuwait. He was subsequently director of finance and back office operations for US and German banks in London.
In retirement he was elected to represent the Tattenhams ward (now Tattenham Corner and Preston ward) which he has done since 2003. He is passionate to make sure that the council delivers for residents and is financially sustainable. He has focussed much of his work on the Council’s budget and finances, initially chairing the budget scrutiny panel. More recently he has chaired the Overview & Scrutiny committee overlooking all aspects of council performance. He has also been leader of the Residents Association Group of councillors.
Locally he was pleased to promote the rebuilding of the Tadworth Leisure Centre with its comprehensive facilities. He took a strong interest in the redevelopment of the former de Burgh School site. When the county council threatened closure of its smaller libraries, he campaigned with local residents for the Tattenhams library to become volunteer-run, and is now a trustee.
Cllr Harrison was the county councillor for Nork & Tattenhams from 2005-25. He specialised in the financial health of the council and service delivery, chairing at various times the Audit & Governance and the Resources & Performance Select committees. Using his private sector pensions experience, for 10 years he chaired the Surrey Pensions board and committee.
Outside of his council work, Cllr Harrison served as a governor of Shawley Community Primary school for 20 years and was a non-executive director of the Surrey Ambulance Service. He is a long-term supporter – and mini-bus driver - for AFASIC, the national charity for speech and language impaired children.
He enjoys travel and the countryside, having walked Hadrian’s Wall and taken part in the London to Brighton cycle ride in the recent past.
He was deputy mayor in 2008-09 and is delighted with the opportunity to now serve residents and businesses as the Borough’s final mayor.
The Mayor's theme
The theme of Cllr Harrison’s Mayoral year is Change. Confidence and resilience in change. Embracing change and being hopeful in the face of change. Facing change as our Council works with neighbours in the new civic landscape.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, U S theologian 1892-1971
The Mayor's chosen charities
Cllr Harrison’s chosen Mayoral charities are: MYTI Youth Club and Age Concern Merstham, Redhill, Reigate.
For further details about these charities please visit the Mayor's chosen charities webpages.
Invite the Mayor to an event
During the year, the Mayor will represent the Borough by attending a broad range of functions, from formal receptions and official openings to visits to local clubs, schools and community groups, to 100th birthday celebrations.
Please complete this form to invite the Mayor to your event.