The Mayor

Councillor Ian Preece was elected as Mayor for 2024/ 2025 at the Annual Council Meeting and Mayor Making Ceremony on Thursday, 23 May 2024.

The Mayor will be supported during his year in Office by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Eileen Callear who is one of three elected representatives for the Hadley and Leegomery Ward.

The Mayor

Ian has lived in Telford all his life. Serving as a borough Councillor since 2021, Ian has previously held the position of Vice Chair of the Council's Governance Committee, as well as sitting on other Committees including Environment Scrutiny, Scrutiny Assembly, Planning and Licensing. In addition to serving as a Borough Councillor for Telford & Wrekin, Ian has also sat as a Parish Councillor for Dawley Town Council for five years, which included two terms as Mayor of Dawley. During his time as Mayor of Dawley, Ian raised over £12,000 for Severn Hospice. Ian raised money by taking part in extreme sports activities such as cycling for 99 hours from Lands' End to John O'Groats, cycling from Dawley to Dover in 24 hours and taking part in a 'Fire Walk' challenge by walking on hot coals barefoot. Furthermore he has committed to other challenges to raise funds for local charities, including an attempt to swim the English Channel, running the Wrekin 10 times consecutively and cycling from Wembley to Princess Royal Hospital in 12 hours.

Ian has always had a passion for sports after completing a number of qualifications at the University of Wolverhampton including a postgraduate degree in physical education teaching and coaching and a degree in Health and Social Science. After completing his qualifications, Ian went on to teach sports at Telford college for 12 years. Ian has previously worked for the Shropshire FA and now sits on the Board as a Director for Equality and Inclusion.

Within his busy lifestyle, Ian has been volunteer at Club 2000 since the age of 15, coaching football to adults with disabilities which he thoroughly enjoys every Thursday evening. He is also the founder of number of projects such as the ‘Christmas Kindness Project’ to help give those less fortunate food and gifts at Christmas and 'Give someone a sporting chance' which allows football kits to be sent around the country and to Africa. Both of which have been running for over 20 years combined.

The Mayor's chosen Charity for 2024/2025 is Severn Hospice. This is a cause particularly close to Ian's heart and his fundraising efforts will be based around communities and getting everyone together to keep fit and healthy. 

The Deputy Mayor

Eileen has lived in Shropshire nearly all her life. She was born in Ironbridge, and then grew up in Broseley, attending Abraham Darby School, and later moved to Hadley, where she still resides.

Following her election as a Borough Councillor for the Ketley and Overdale Ward in May 2019, Eileen has sat as a Cabinet Member since March 2020, holding various portfolios over the last 4 years, the most recent being for Education, Employment and Visitor Economy. In addition to her role as a Borough Councillor, Eileen has sat on the Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council since 2019, where she is currently Chair, and also Ketley Parish Council where she has been Chair for three terms. Following the election in May 2023, she now sits as a Borough Councillor for the Hadley and Leegomery ward, along with 2 other ward Councillors.

For 10 years Eileen worked in the family business producing local lifestyle magazines for Telford and Shrewsbury. She also has a background in working in Sales and HR.

Eileen has a great passion for animals, being a dog lover herself with four dogs at home. Eileen has an adult son who has ADHD and daughter who has Autism, so has a keen interest in increasing awareness around neurodiversity and will continue to promote this.

Last updated: 07/06/2024 10:05