Council and Democracy The Mayor of Swindon

Cllr David Wren - Mayor of Swindon 2009-10

David was born in London and moved to Swindon in 1983 when his employer, British Telecommunications Plc (BT), relocated. He is married with two daughters.

David joined BT straight from school as an engineering apprentice and took early retirement in 1998. During his time there he held numerous positions, latterly as a project manager and senior business analyst in the Procurement directorate.

A mathematics graduate, David is a past member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Charted Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

David was one of the founder members and Chair of a local charity group in Swindon for sufferers of Ankylosing Spondylitis, an arthritic condition. This group is still active after almost 15 years. The group uses the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool, which is one of the Mayor’s charities.

Having a keen interest in the health service, David became a non-executive director of Swindon Primary Care Trust in 2003 and has recently been re-appointed to the board of NHS Swindon. He is the Chair of, or is a member of various committees and in 2006 was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

During the past few years David has held the post of Vice-Chair of the Wiltshire and Swindon Combined Fire Authority (the Fire Brigade). As Vice-Chair he has special responsibilities as Chair of the Programme Board (scrutiny function). He also represents the service at the Regional Management Board, the Rural Commission and the South West Local Government General Assembly.

David has been a member of Swindon Borough Council for seven years, representing Dorcan ward from May 2002 to May 2006, and then Moredon ward since May 2006.

He has been a member of numerous committees and for two years was the Cabinet Member for the Local Environment, being instrumental in the borough-wide introduction of the recycling services.

David used to be the Secretary of a Swindon Working Men’s Association and for three years he was the Secretary of the Swindon Civil Service Sports Association.

A keen chess player, he enjoys cooking, fine wines and real ale, visits to the cinema and theatre, and has traveled extensively abroad.

Addressed as

'Mr. Mayor'

Mayoress Cllr Sinead Darker

Sinéad, who has been married to David for eight years, is also a Swindon Borough councillor.

She respresented Central ward from May 2004 to May 2006, and since then has represented the St Philip ward.

She was born in Dublin, where she graduated with a degree in Civil Law.

Sinéad is a school governor at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School and the Chalet School for children with special needs. She is also a Trustee on the board of the Study Centre at Swindon Town Football Club.

She is committed to green issues and is very enthusiastic about Swindon’s recycling progamme.

Sinéad speaks French and some German. A keen gardener and home maker, she also enjoys eating the food that David cooks and loves reading, opera, long walks in the Swindon’s beautiful parks, and cycling.

Sinéad returns to Dublin on a regular basis to see her parents and three sisters.

Addressed as

‘Mayoress’

The Mayor's Charities

Traditionally, the Mayor supports a group of charities during his or her year in office. This year's chosen causes are:

• Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool
• Community Radio 105.5FM
• Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Swindon Cares - supporting LEAVES (Local Enterprise and Vocational Employment Schemes) and Swindon Down's Syndrome Group

For full details, please see The Mayor's Charities 2009-10.

The above photograph is copyright Insight Photography