Lord Mayor 2025 to 2026, Councillor Dan Cohen

Born and bred in Alwoodley, Leeds and elected as a Leeds City Councillor for Alwoodley in May 2011, Councillor Dan Cohen attended Deborah Taylor Nursery, Richmond House School and Leeds Grammar School before going on to read law at Northumbria University. After graduating in 1996, Dan secured a training contract with a then leading Leeds law firm.

A solicitor by profession, Dan spent most of his working career as the Managing Director and head of in house legal at Madison Hosiery, a family business started by his father Henry Cohen in the 1960’s.

During his time as a councillor, Dan has chaired the Children and Families Scrutiny Board and he has built a reputation as a highly effective and dynamic ward councillor throughout his 14 years of service.

Dan will be joined in the Mayoral year by his wife, Mrs Elayna Cohen, who is honoured to be taking on the role of Lady Mayoress and looking forward to supporting Dan in his Mayoral duties.

Role and responsibilities

As the first citizen of Leeds, the role of the Lord Mayor is to act as an ambassador for the City, meeting with citizens and communities and welcoming visiting dignitaries from home and abroad. The Lord Mayor holds a ceremonial, diplomatic role, meaning that they cannot engage in political or Ward matters during their time in office. They are not an elected Mayor and therefore have no influence over policy and decision making.

Please contact your local councillor, local Member of Parliament, or the elected Mayor of West Yorkshire if you have any council or government related queries or concerns.

The Lord Mayor’s term of office is annual and normally starts on the third Thursday of May, however this can be subject to change.

Title and mode of address

The correct style for the Lord Mayor in writing is:
"The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leeds."

When starting your letter or email you should use:
"My dear Lord Mayor"

Verbally, in formal situations, the style is "My Lord Mayor", though in less formal circumstances it is quite correct when referring to the Civic Heads or introducing them to use simply "Lord Mayor" and when the Lady Mayoress is present the "Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Lady Mayoress".

The Lord Mayor is normally accompanied by the Sergeant-at-Mace or an Attendant, from whom advice on matters of protocol may be sought.             

Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2025 to 2026

Each Lord Mayor chooses a Leeds based charity, close to their heart, to champion during their year of office.

Throughout the year, the Lord Mayor focuses on the work of their chosen charity, with the aim of bringing the whole city together to raise awareness and funds through hosting a range of events and activities. It is a fantastic way for the city to support a local charity and show their civic pride.

Leeds Mencap

Councillor Dan Cohen is supporting Leeds Mencap during his term of office.

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity supporting children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and other additional needs to feel valued, supported and equipped to thrive.

Dan has chosen this charity to raise awareness of their fantastic work. He would like to raise much needed funds for this most worthwhile Leeds organisation to help the charity to continue empowering those it supports throughout the city, helping them develop their strengths, build lasting connections and experience new opportunities within a safe, inclusive and welcoming space.

Find more information on the Leeds Mencap website.

Just One Day

Every year the Lord Mayor reaches out to organisations in the city to ask for their support in fundraising for the Lord Mayor’s charity.

Organisations from all sectors are invited to participate in 'Just One Day' - one day per year that is dedicated to raising money and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s charity.

By working with organisations of all sectors at all levels, 'Just One Day' brings the city together to support the most vulnerable.

Find more information on our 'Just One Day' page.