The Mayor appoints elected councillors to the Cabinet to help him make decisions.
Mayor Forhad Hussain
Mayor of Newham and Portfolio Lead for Community Safety and Regeneration
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 studying Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London. He lives with his wife and young family in Plaistow.
He served as a Labour councillor for Plaistow North from 2010 to 2018, holding senior roles including Cabinet Member for Commercial Opportunities, Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, and Chair of the Audit and Pensions Committee.
As Mayor, he is focused on cleaner and safer streets, improving housing services, supporting young people and families, and putting Newham residents first.
Portfolio responsibilities include:
- Delivery of regeneration schemes and growth initiatives
- Planning policy and development management
- Local Plan
- Capital Programme Delivery
- Housing Supply
- Populo
- Property and Asset Management Strategy
- External Partnerships
- Best Value Notice
- Communications
- Mayor’s Office
Community Safety:
- Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
- CCTV, noise services and enforcement
- Crime prevention and tackling violence
- Police relationships
- Regulatory services
Transformation and Resident Experience:
- Transformation programme and performance
- Digital, Data and ICT
- Resident access, insight and digital experience
Cllr John Gray
Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing
Cllr John Gray has been a West Ham councillor since 2010 and has held several roles including Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing services. He works for a large Housing Association as a trade union convenor.
Portfolio responsibilities include:
- HRA business plan and housing finance
- Council housing improvement
- Compliance and safety
- Temporary accommodation and homelessness prevention
- Private sector housing
- Housing needs and allocations
- Leaseholders
- Housing repairs and improvements
Cllr Zulfiqar Ali
Cllr Zulfiqar Ali has lived in Plaistow for over 30 years and is proud to represent the community he calls home. As Cabinet Lead for Finance, he is committed to fair, transparent and responsible financial stewardship, with residents at the heart of every decision.
Portfolio responsibilities include:
- Budget setting and financial controls
- Revenues and benefits
- Internal Audit
- Procurement
- Corporate governance of Council companies
- Pensions
- Human Resources
- Legal Services and One Source
- Democratic Services
Cllr Susan Masters
Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment
Having lived in East Ham for over 30 years, Cllr Masters is proud to represent the community. She is active locally as a school governor and founding member of Newham Save our NHS.
Portfolio responsibilities include:
- Adult social care and safeguarding
- Public Health
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Homelessness and rough sleeping
- Transport and highways
- Climate change and air quality
- Parks and open spaces
- Burial sites and cemeteries
Cllr Lakmini Shah
Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities
Cllr Shah has lived in East Ham for over 33 years and works to promote social justice, equality and safer neighbourhoods, with a strong focus on supporting families and communities.
Portfolio responsibilities include:
- Children’s social services and safeguarding
- Corporate parenting and care leavers
- Early intervention
- Youth justice
- Education and SEND services
- Community services and neighbourhoods
- Libraries and cultural activities
- Voluntary and community sector engagement
Deputy Cabinet Members
Cllr Imam Haque
Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Children, Education and Communities
Cllr Imam Haque has been an elected councillor since 2022, representing Manor Park ward. He brings experience across local government, business development and community leadership.
He has worked with residents, small businesses, schools and international partners to drive economic growth, improve transparency and create opportunities for young people and communities.
His priorities include safer streets, stronger high streets, outstanding schools, a vibrant community and accountability in council decision-making. He is known for being accessible, solutions-driven and working closely with residents.
Outside the chamber, he supports community events that bring people together across faiths and backgrounds, including initiatives for local entrepreneurs and schools.
Cllr Shantu Ferdous
Deputy Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Communities
Councillor Shantu Ferdous has lived in Plaistow for many years and is a community activist and school governor.
She works to improve safety, support families and campaign for better resources for children, including education and SEND services.
She regularly engages with local communities to improve quality of life for residents.
Cllr Shaban Mohammed
Deputy Cabinet Member for Regeneration
Cllr Toni Wilson
Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing, with a focus on Temporary Accommodation
Mayoral Advisor for Jobs and Small Business
Cllr Toni Wilson is a dedicated public servant with a proven record of leadership, community engagement, and delivering results for residents across Newham.
As the former Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee and current School Governor, she has played a key role in shaping local policy, supporting education, promoting public safety, and championing the interests of residents and businesses alike.
Cllr Wilson is passionate about creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and ensuring residents remain at the heart of decision-making.
Cllr Salim Patel
Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment
Cllr Salim Patel has lived in Manor Park since 1992 and has served as a councillor since 2010, working to protect and improve local services.
He began his career with British Rail in 1993 and is currently a Train Manager with Avanti West Coast, responsible for ensuring safety.
He is passionate about supporting the community, protecting the environment and improving quality of life, working closely with residents and multi-faith organisations to address local issues.
He is committed to listening to residents and representing their views across Manor Park and the wider Newham community.
Cllr Reverend Canon Ann Easter
Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment
Mayoral Advisor for Faith
Cllr Ann Easter was born and raised in Newham and has worked in the borough throughout her career, mainly in the charity sector.
She has served as a councillor since 2014, representing Canning Town North and now Royal Albert Ward, and was Commissioner for Interfaith Engagement from 2019 to 2025.
Ann is a priest in the Church of England and has served as a Chaplain to the late Queen.
She is committed to supporting all residents, especially women, and building stronger communities.
