The Mayor is known as the First Citizen of Medway and has ceremonial titles of Constable of the Castle and Admiral of the River.
The Mayor chairs Full Council meetings. A large part of the their time is spent promoting the importance of Medway in a regional and national context as well as promoting Medway Council objectives.
For May 2026 to May 2027, the Mayor of Medway is Councillor (Cllr) Douglas Hamandishe.
Cllr Hamandishe officially took up duties on 13 May 2026, when he was elected at the Annual Council meeting. His fiancée, Victoria (Vicky) Slater, will act as Mayoress. His daughters Armaris and O’nai will serve as Consort.
Cllr Hamandishe has 3 careers. He is a part-time mental health nurse with over 20 years’ experience in the NHS, a digital transformation consultant, and the author of 'The AI Leverage: Building Purpose, Resilience and Success'. He was first elected to Medway Council in 2023, representing Gillingham North, and served as Deputy Mayor of Medway in 2024 to 2025.
“To be entrusted with the chain of Medway is the honour of my life. My theme this year is 'Community Cohesion', not as a slogan, but as a living standard. Medway is a place of remarkable cultural heritage and remarkable people, but it's also a place where life expectancy can vary by 10 years between neighbourhoods. A mother once told me, on her doorstep, that her child had never known the smell of fresh bread. We cannot accept that. Anyone can turn a garden into a desert - the harder, nobler work is turning a desert into a garden. That is the work I dedicate this year to.” Mayor of Medway, Cllr Hamandishe.
Cllr Hamandishe has chosen the following charities for the year:
- The Wisdom Hospice
- Chatham Royal Marine Cadets
- The Legend on the Bench
- The Sunlight Development Trust.
Read about the Mayor’s chosen charities.
The Mayor is also an honorary and ex-officio representative for:
- Admiralty Court, Admiral of the River
- Arthur Ingram Trust
- Chatham Charities Trustees
- Court of the University of Kent at Canterbury
- Gillingham Golf Club
- Medway Macmillan Cancer Support Welfare Fund
- Rochester Cruising Club
- Rochester Grammar School for Girls Charity
- The Association of the Friends of Rochester Cathedral.
The Deputy Mayor of Medway
For May 2026 to May 2027, the Deputy Mayor is Cllr Sharon Jackson. Her daughter Rachel will act as her Consort.
Cllr Jackson was born in South East London and moved to Medway in 2000 alongside 5 foster children with additional needs. Medway very quickly became a place she proudly called home, and she became actively involved in a wide range of local community groups, including the Medway Parents and Carers Forum, where she now proudly serves as a trustee.
Cllr Jackson sits on the expert committee for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and has spoken in Parliament on numerous occasions about the condition alongside her daughter, Rachel. She is also an award-winning trainer in lived-experience FASD education and advocacy.
Cllr Jackson is a passionate advocate for vulnerable people, a strong ally for the LGBTQIA+ community and has received awards recognising her allyship and community support. She is also a stand-up comedian and regularly runs comedy nights across Medway, using humour and community events to bring people together.
“Medway became home to me very quickly because of its incredible sense of community. The area is filled with amazing community groups, charities and grassroots organisations that work tirelessly to support local people, and throughout my journey I’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly inspiring individuals.” Deputy Mayor of Medway, Cllr Jackson