Goldsmiths graduate and staff member elected Mayor of Lewisham

A former Goldsmiths student who became a member of staff has been elected as Mayor of Lewisham.

Liam Shrivastava became the second-ever directly elected Mayor for the Green Party in the election held on Thursday 7 May 2026. 

His election came as the Greens won control of Lewisham Council, the first time since 1971 that the council has not been run by Labour. 

Liam studied MA Political Communications at Goldsmiths and last year joined us as Events and Communications Co-ordinator for the Migrant Futures Institute.

He formally took up the role of Mayor on Monday 11 May 2026 after immediately stepping down from his role at Goldsmiths.

Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor David Oswell wrote to Liam to offer congratulations and set out Goldsmiths’ ambition of continuing to work in partnership with Lewisham to make the lives better of everyone who studies, works and lives in our home borough.

David has also written to Baroness Brenda Dacres of Lewisham recognising her support for Goldsmiths and achievements as Mayor of Lewisham and a Councillor in New Cross and Deptford.

Goldsmiths has deep connections to Lewisham through a range of intiatives including the New Cross Fire Bursaries scheme, the Civic University Agreement and new learning space in the Old Town Hall in Catford in the heart of the borough.