Labour stalwart elected as Hackney Speaker for third time

New Hackney Speaker Cllr Sharon Patrick. Photograph: Hackney Council

Hackney’s longest-serving councillor has been unveiled as the borough’s Speaker for the third time.

Cllr Sharon Patrick was elected at the council’s annual general meeting in May.

The Kings Park ward representative, who has been on the council for more than 35 years, previously held the post in 2002 and then again in 2014.

The Speaker of Hackney fulfils many ceremonial and public duties, including chairing full council meetings, attending events, welcoming visitors to the borough, and presiding over citizenship ceremonies.

Each year, the new Speaker selects charitable causes to support, both by fundraising and by attending events.

Cllr Patrick has chosen to back Hackney Foodbank, Hackney Marsh Partnership and the Pedro Club.

She said: “Having lived in Hackney all my adult life, I am very proud to be able to represent our amazing, diverse borough once more. Hackney is a lively, bubbly place full of different cultures that is open to everyone and where no-one is excluded.

“Being the Speaker of Hackney is an amazing job and I am delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to do it again.”

Supporting Cllr Patrick in her duties will be Cllr Grace Adebayo, who was announced as the new deputy Speaker for 2025/26.