The Town Mayor is the first citizen of Burgess Hill and the Office of Mayor is the most important civic appointment in the Town. By custom, it is usual for the Town Mayor to be accorded precedence in his own Town over everyone except Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family or the Lord Lieutenant of the County when representing the Crown.

The role of Mayor includes the responsibility for civic, ceremonial duties as well as promoting the Town and the Town Council.

The Town Mayor is elected annually by his/her fellow 17 councillors and serves for a period of 12 months during the civic year that runs from May.

If you wish to invite the Town Mayor or the Deputy Town Mayor to attend an event, please telephone Sara Moss on 01444 238212 or email sara@burgesshill.gov.uk.

Mayor of Burgess Hill, Councillor Chris Thomas-Atkin
Chris was born and educated in Nottingham and also lived and worked in Birmingham for a number of years before moving to Sussex in 1990. He has lived in Burgess Hill since that time and is married to Mandy, who is currently the Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council. They have three children, Nathanael, Zenobia and Thornley.

Chris was first elected to represent the Victoria Ward of Burgess Hill Town Council in May 2007 and held the position of Vice-Chairman until being elected as Chairman of the Council in May 2008. His role as Chairman was changed to Town Mayor in July 2011 as part of a re-organisation of the Town Council’s leadership structure.

Deputy Mayor of Burgess Hill, Councillor Anne Jones MBE