Tower Hamlets confirms new civic Speaker
By Beehiveweb.co.uk staff
Tower Hamlets Council has confirmed Councillor Musthak Ahmed as the borough’s new Speaker, with Councillor Iqbal Hossain named Deputy Speaker after the Annual General Meeting at Whitechapel Town Hall on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
Councillor Ahmed represents Bethnal Green West, while Councillor Hossain represents Lansbury. The appointments were confirmed after the local elections held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
New civic office holders
As Speaker, Councillor Musthak Ahmed becomes Tower Hamlets’ First Citizen for civic and ceremonial duties. The role includes attending local functions, receiving visitors to the borough, chairing full Council meetings and representing Tower Hamlets at public occasions.
After his election, Councillor Ahmed described the appointment as “a moment of deep honour, humility and profound responsibility”. He said his earlier working life in restaurants, business and later education as a mature student had shaped his view of work, opportunity and public service.
He also described Tower Hamlets as “one of the great examples of modern Britain; diverse, resilient, ambitious and deeply rooted in community”.
Cabinet portfolios confirmed
The AGM also confirmed the new administration’s cabinet roles. Councillor Maium Talukdar was named Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and the Cost of Living, Improving Customer Services, and Voluntary Sector Engagement.
Other confirmed cabinet members include Councillor Faysal Ahmed for Children, Young People and Life Chances; Councillor Saied Ahmed for Homebuilding and Enhancing Council Homes and Neighbourhoods; Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury for Finance, Assets and Governance; and Councillor Sabina Akthar for Healthy, Caring and Inclusive Communities.
Further portfolios went to Councillor Kabir Ahmed for Safe Communities and Community Cohesion, Councillor Minara Khatun for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Shafi Ahmed for a Clean and Green Borough, and Councillor Shenaly Miah for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth.
Council committee chairs
Committee chairs confirmed at the AGM include Councillor Halima Islam for Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Abdul Wahid for Development, Councillor Amin Rahman for Strategic Development, Councillor Kamrul Hussain for General Purposes, Councillor Suluk Ahmed for Pensions, Councillor Peter Golds for Licensing, and Councillor Harun Miah for Human Resources.
The Speaker is expected to formally announce his official charities at the next Council meeting.
Source: Tower Hamlets Council
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This brief is based on Tower Hamlets Council’s published AGM update and keeps to the appointments and dates stated there.
- Matched the Speaker and Deputy Speaker names to the council notice.
- Checked the AGM location and date stated as Whitechapel Town Hall on 20 May 2026.
- Kept ward references for Bethnal Green West and Lansbury as given in the source.
- Included only cabinet and committee appointments named in the council update.
- Source
- Tower Hamlets Council
- Scope
- Tower Hamlets
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 20:13
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