Mayor of Newham

Biography of Mayor Forhad Hussain  

Mayor Forhad Hussain was elected as the Mayor of Newham in May 2026. A lifelong resident of Plaistow, he has a strong connection to the borough and its communities. Mayor Hussain attended Newham Sixth Form College before going on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London and lives with his young family in Plaistow.  

Mayor Hussain served the people of Newham as a Labour councillor for Plaistow North from 2010 to 2018, holding senior Council responsibilities including Cabinet Member for Commercial Opportunities, Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, and Chair of the Audit and Pensions Committee.   

Alongside his work in local government, Mayor Hussain has been involved in a range of community and charitable organisations across East London, including Essex Cricket in the Community, and has supported community engagement initiatives linked to the London 2012 Olympic Games. As Mayor, he is focused on delivering cleaner and safer streets, improving housing services, supporting young people and families, and ensuring residents remain at the heart of decision-making across the borough.