Jamie Scott sworn in as Winchester’s 827th mayor after 60-year connection to city
A lifelong Winchester resident and former St Luke ward councillor has been elected mayor, vowing to champion local charities and community ties during his tenure. His mayoral year will focus on Winchester Hospice and St John Ambulance.
Jamie Scott, a 61-year-old lifelong Winchester resident, was formally installed as the city’s 827th mayor on Wednesday at a mayor-making ceremony held in the Guildhall. Scott, who has represented the St Luke ward as a councillor since 2011, succeeds the outgoing mayor after a unanimous vote by Winchester City Council.
Born at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Scott has lived in the Stanmore area of Winchester since birth. His connection to the city spans generations: he attended Stanmore Primary School from 1969 to 1975 and Montgomery Alamein Secondary School—now Kings’ School—until 1980. After leaving education, he began his career at John Menzies before shifting into healthcare, working in operating theatres and managing linen services at the hospital where he was born.
💡 Pro Tip
Mayors often use their platform to highlight underfunded local services—Scott’s choice of Winchester Hospice and St John Ambulance reflects a strategic focus on end-of-life care and emergency response, areas with strong volunteer reliance.
Scott’s civic involvement deepened in the 1990s when he became a sessional youth worker at the Carroll Youth Centre, followed by a decade of community work in Stanmore. From 2004, he served at Stanmore Primary School, where he had attended as a child. His election to city council in 2011 marked the beginning of 15 years representing St Luke ward, a tenure that included eight years on the governing board of Kings’ School and earlier service as an LEA governor at his alma mater.
Key Points
- ✅ Scott elected 827th mayor of Winchester in ceremony at Guildhall on May 20, 2026
- ⚡ First mayoral term to prioritize Winchester Hospice and St John Ambulance as charities
- 💡 Served 15 years as St Luke ward councillor since 2011
In his acceptance speech, Scott emphasized personal pride in serving the city he loves. “My love and passion for Winchester runs through me,” he said. “I have proudly represented St Luke ward since 2011 and now look forward to representing the entire district as mayor.” He invited residents and organizations to contact him via email for visits, signaling an open-door approach to civic engagement.
📋 By The Numbers
- 827 — Scott is the 827th person to hold the mayoral office in Winchester since records began
- 32 years — Scott has been married to Wendy; their son Nathan and daughter-in-law Sophie are due to become parents this summer
Scott’s private life mirrors his public service. Married for 32 years, he and his wife have one son. Outside council chambers, he’s a lifelong sports enthusiast—formerly playing football in the Winchester District League and completing several half-marathons. Post-hip replacement surgery, he now competes in badminton, keeping fit while adapting to physical change. During the ceremony, Councillor Stephen Godfrey was elected Deputy Mayor, slated to support Scott through his mayoral year.
- 📊 Scott’s mayoral charity focus aligns with Hampshire’s aging population and rising demand for hospice care
- 🔍 His healthcare background may influence policy on local NHS estate management
- ⚠️ With no prior mayoral experience, his leadership style remains untested at the district-wide level
As mayor, Scott inherits a city grappling with infrastructure demands and rising living costs. His predecessor presided over a period of tight budgets and delayed maintenance, including a £4.2 million road repair fund deferred to 2026. Scott has not yet outlined specific policy priorities but has signalled intent to strengthen community bonds and support grassroots organizations.
| Role | Incumbent | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Jamie Scott | Lifelong Winchester resident, 15-year councillor |
| Deputy Mayor | Stephen Godfrey | City councillor, prior service on planning committee |
With a new generation on the way in his family and a city evolving around him, Scott begins his year in office with a blend of personal history and public expectation. His ability to translate lifelong local knowledge into effective civic leadership will define his tenure in the ancient Guildhall chambers where Winchester’s civic story continues to unfold.