The new Mayor of Kenilworth has said it is a "massive, massive honour" to be named the town's first citizen.

Cllr Alison Insley was confirmed as the new mayor last week by Kenilworth Town Council, following her 12 months serving as the deputy.

The former on-call firefighter was nominated by Councillors Zoe Leventhal and Kate Dickson, with Cllr Mark Stevens announced as deputy mayor for the 2026/27 civic year.

Speaking to Nub News, Cllr Insley said: "It is a cliche because everyone says the same thing, but it is a massive, massive honour.

"Aside from being a mum and a wife, it is one of the biggest things I have been able to do.

"As far as I am aware, this is the first time somebody who is non-white has been the deputy mayor and then the mayor, so there is an element of stepping into the unknown.

"I have lived here for 36 years, I feel like I belong here and part of the community.

"It is a massive honour to have been offered the role as the first citizen of Kenilworth for the year. I am really proud."

advertisement

Cllr Insley was elected to Kenilworth Town Council in 2023, serving the St John's ward.

But she is no stranger to local government, having worked for both Coventry City Council, and Warwickshire County Council over 34 years.

An avid cyclist, squash player and coach, Cllr Insley is well known for her various fundraisers and volunteering.



Deputy mayor Cllr Mark Stevens with mayor Cllr Alison Insley (image via Kenilworth Town Council)

With her year as deputy, she has already been involved with a number of groups across Kenilworth and the wider Warwickshire area.

"I have enjoyed the opportunity of attending events and activities," she explained.

"My last one was the opening of the memory cafe in Kenilworth at St Francis Church, it was great!

"I was chatting to people, people suffering with memory loss.

advertisement

"It was incredible and made me remember why I want to do this; connecting with people."

Cllr Insley - who grew up in Coventry with her five siblings - has nominated Warwickshire Search and Rescue and first responders Warwickshire Hearts as her mayoral charities for the coming 12 months.

As well as looking forward to celebrating Kenilworth Carnival in its 100th year, and other events through the calendar, she is also looking to reprise the picnic at the castle event which was held last year to mark the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I's visit to the town.

"It was such a fantastic event," she said.

"The feedback was phenomenal, people wanted it to be an annual event.

"To see so many people enjoy themselves in one space was just phenomenal."

And looking ahead to the coming 12 months, she wants to go further and engage with as many different parts of Kenilworth as possible.

"My overall theme for the year is community and health and wellbeing," Cllr Insley continued.

advertisement

"I love working with the community, Kenilworth is made up of communities from businesses, charities, volunteers and more, they are all communities of some description and form part of the Kenilworth network.

"I want to reach out to all corners of Kenilworth and connect with as many of those groups as I can.

"I want to celebrate the differences of individuals and bring together people who aren't always seen or heard."