Your Excellency, distinguished guests,

On behalf of the Chief Minister and of the Government it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this ceremony.

Today we are tasked with the formal Investiture and appointment of Mr Nicholas Guerrero as Mayor and Mrs Andrea Simpson as Deputy Mayor.

In Gibraltar, the Mayor plays an important civic role.

The office is not a political office.

Neither is the incumbent directly elected by the people.

Instead, the post-holder is chosen by those whom the people elect.

So this ceremony follows a unanimous Motion adopted by the Gibraltar Parliament last Thursday.

That means that these appointments enjoy the support of all the elected representatives of the people of Gibraltar.

In recent times, the role of Mayor has transformed itself.

In May 1955, the office of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the City Council became known as the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor.

That was seventy years ago this year.

But the City Council was later abolished in 1969.

And the Mayor became a ceremonial post.

For decades, only Members of Parliament could hold this position.

However, after 2006 the restriction was removed to allow the wider community to serve.

The new Mayor Nicholas Guerrero will be the 21^st since 1955.

CARMEN GOMEZ

But before he takes office formally, I would like to start with a word of thanks to the outgoing Mayor Carmen Gomez.

Each and every Mayor brings something of himself or herself to the role.

They leave their mark.

And Carmen has done so as well.

She has carried out the functions of Mayor in an exemplary manner,

with gravitas and with grace,

with compassion and with care,

with passion and with pride.

I say pride because on every single engagement her pride in this country has not failed to shine through.

I know that for some months it has not been easy.

And that Carmen was unwell.

But she has persevered, overcome and upheld the office with the same dignity as ever.

Additionally, it would be remiss of me not to thank her sister Yvonne as well.

For a lifetime a companion, a friend and a guide on this journey.

Thank you both.

NICKY GUERRERO

So on to the business of today.

I am delighted to welcome Nicholas Guerrero, better known to all as Nicky, to City Hall.

This is a moment which carries some personal resonance for me.

Nicky and I were in the same school year at Bayside Comprehensive.

So I am doubly delighted at this appointment!

And it has been difficult to resist the temptation to recount some school-time anecdotes on this solemn occasion!

Nicky brings the experience of his tenure as Deputy Mayor to this role.

Where he has performed his duties diligently, with quiet professionalism, reliability and humility.

He spent a lifetime working with different aspects of the world of tourism.

From developing the industry in Gibraltar.

To negotiating with airlines and cruise companies.

This part of his life included a long and productive spell as CEO of the Gibraltar Tourist Board.

A post he retired from in June 2021.

But his role reached further than local tourism.

Much of it was international,

where he always proudly showcased what Gibraltar had to offer.

That work is clearly one of his passions.

This is reflected in the senior positions Nicky has held in the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, MedCruise.

He has demonstrated through such work that representing Gibraltar is not just about facts and figures.

It is about sharing our identity and who we are as a people.

It is about projecting our country with pride and confidence.

And it is about being professional.

About displaying a human touch.

Always sprinkled with a wicked sense of humour.

This job was made for him.

Today, Nicky, you take on a position which is both an honour and a profound responsibility.

None of us here have any doubt that you will wear the mayoral chain and robe with integrity and devotion.

Because this is what has marked you throughout your career.

ANDREA SIMPSON

Ready to work as part of the City Hall team is another esteemed member of our community.

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our new Deputy Mayor Andrea Simpson.

Andrea is not the first person from the world of culture to be called to serve in this role.

She has long been one of Gibraltar’s leading vocalists and performers.

Decades of community involvement and professional dedication will stand her in good stead.

Her decision to allow her name to be carried forward reflects a sincere desire to contribute to the well-being of Gibraltar.

She has already set an example through the sensitive restoration of her family property which was granted the Gibraltar Individual Heritage Award.

So I have no doubt that this partnership of Nicky Guerrero and Andrea Simpson is a strong team.

A team which will honour the traditions of the past.

And also embrace the future with clarity and optimism.

They too will leave a personal imprint at City Hall as their predecessors have done before them.

Because today is not only about the passing of a chain of office from one Mayor to another.

It is a continuation of a tradition which belongs to us all.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are in many ways the heartbeat of civic life.

Not in political power, but

in community spirit,

in the representation of our home,

in their connection with the public, and

in their dealings with our diverse and multicultural society as a whole.

Your Worship,

Madam Deputy Mayor

Congratulations!