Leadership, Inclusion and Community Spirit in the Royal Borough of Greenwich
London | 5 June 2026 | Tsering Passang
I was delighted to attend the Mayor Inauguration Ceremony at Woolwich Town Hall, headquarters of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, on the evening of 3 June, where Cllr. David Gardner was formally inaugurated as the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich for 2026–2027.
The event was attended to capacity, bringing together faith leaders, community representatives, former and current councillors, military representatives, and people from all walks of life. It was a wonderful reflection of the diversity, unity and community spirit that make the Royal Borough, home to nearly 300,000 residents, such a vibrant and welcoming place to live.
It was also a pleasure to reconnect with several councillors and community leaders, while at the same time making new connections with individuals from different sectors of civic and community life. The evening provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate not only a new mayoral term but also the relationships and partnerships that help strengthen our borough.
Outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Linda Bird, graciously passed the baton to Mayor Gardner and wished him every success in his new role. The Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr. Anthony Okereke, paid tribute to Cllr. Bird’s dedicated service and warmly welcomed Cllr. Gardner, whose many years of public service have earned him respect across communities throughout the borough. Public service runs deep within the Gardner family, and his appointment as Mayor reflects a longstanding commitment to serving local residents and strengthening community cohesion.
One of the highlights of the evening for me was presenting Mayor Gardner with a traditional Tibetan white scarf, known as a Khata, as a symbol of respect, congratulations and good wishes. It was a meaningful gesture expressing my hope for his successful leadership and his continued commitment to bringing together the borough’s diverse communities and cultures while upholding the values of human dignity, mutual respect and universal human rights.
Mayor Gardner has consistently demonstrated genuine care, solidarity and support for communities across Royal Greenwich. The photographs displayed during the reception in the Committee Room captured not only his inauguration as Mayor but also his longstanding engagement with local residents, voluntary organisations and community groups. Of particular significance to me and to the Tibetan community has been his unwavering support for the annual Tibet Flag Raising Ceremony at Woolwich Town Hall, as well as his support for Tibetan language and cultural classes held within borough premises.
As former Chair of the Tibetan Community in Britain (2014–2016), I first approached Cllr. David Gardner in 2015 with a proposal for the Royal Borough of Greenwich to raise the Tibetan national flag as a gesture of welcome to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who was due to visit The O2 in Greenwich in September that year to deliver public talks and Buddhist teachings to an audience of more than 10,000 people. Cllr. Gardner was receptive and supportive of the idea, recognising its significance to the Tibetan community and the values of inclusion, respect and cultural understanding that Greenwich seeks to promote.
The raising of the Tibet flag at Town Hall in 2015 was a memorable and meaningful occasion, symbolising friendship, cultural understanding and solidarity. It reflected the borough’s openness to different cultures, faiths and traditions, and provided a warm welcome to one of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders.
When I reconnected with Cllr. Gardner in 2020 regarding further community initiatives, he once again offered his support. Since then, under the umbrella of the Greenwich Tibetan Association and in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, the Tibet Flag Raising Ceremony has become an annual event in Royal Greenwich. Year after year, Cllr. Gardner has helped facilitate this important occasion, demonstrating his enduring commitment to compassion, community engagement and international solidarity.
His leadership has also been instrumental in championing Royal Greenwich as a Borough of Sanctuary, reinforcing the borough’s reputation as a welcoming place for people seeking safety, belonging and opportunity. This vision resonates strongly with the rich diversity of Royal Greenwich and reflects the values that unite our communities.
I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable contribution of outgoing Mayor Cllr. Linda Bird, whose warmth, accessibility and commitment to community engagement have been widely appreciated across the borough. She has been a valued friend and supporter of the Tibetan community. In July 2025, she attended and addressed the special celebration marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tibetan Peace Garden, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum in London. Her presence and heartfelt remarks were deeply appreciated by all those in attendance and reflected her longstanding support for the values of peace, compassion and intercultural understanding.
Earlier this year, in March, Cllr. Linda Bird, accompanied by her colleagues, including Cllr. David Gardner, met with representatives of the Tibetan community at Woolwich Town Hall. Although a full flag-hoisting ceremony could not take place due to scaffolding and ongoing works at the site, their presence and support ensured that the occasion was still marked with dignity and respect. For the Tibetan community, this gesture carried great significance and demonstrated the borough’s continued commitment to a longstanding tradition of friendship, solidarity and cultural understanding.
As Mayor, I am confident that Cllr. David Gardner will continue to strengthen relationships across faiths, cultures and communities, building on the borough’s proud tradition of inclusion and civic engagement. His dedication to public service, community cohesion and the promotion of shared values provides a strong foundation for the year ahead.
It was truly an inspiring and memorable evening, and I look forward to supporting Mayor Gardner as he embarks on this important chapter of service to the people of Royal Greenwich. I wish him every success in his mayoral year and look forward to seeing the borough continue to flourish under his leadership.
The Mayor’s Office also deserves special recognition for organising such a meaningful and well-attended event. The ceremony not only celebrated the transition of civic leadership but also showcased the very best of Royal Greenwich’s commitment to community engagement, democratic participation and public service. Bringing together residents, faith leaders, community organisations, councillors and representatives from diverse backgrounds, the evening demonstrated how local democracy can foster a shared sense of belonging, mutual respect and collective purpose. At a time when strong and inclusive leadership matters more than ever, the inauguration served as a powerful reminder that the strength of Royal Greenwich lies in its people, its diversity and its unwavering commitment to working together for the common good.
Useful Links
Mayor’s charity
The Mayor has chosen two local charities to support:
- Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP), which supports the homeless and people experiencing loneliness.
- South London Special League, which supports young people with learning disabilities organising football and tennis.
Make a donation to The Mayor’s chosen two local charities
Tsering Passang is a London-based Tibetan blogger and the founder and chair of the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities. A long-standing Tibetan human rights advocate, he works internationally to advance justice, freedom, and peaceful solutions for Tibetans and other persecuted communities living under authoritarian rule. His writing can be found at www.Tsamtruk.com.
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities (GATPM) 