Councillor Dan Cohen has been officially appointed as the new Lord Mayor of Leeds during Leeds City Council’s annual general meeting.
Succeeding Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, Councillor Dan Cohen becomes the 131st individual to hold the prestigious role. Accompanying him throughout his mayoral year will be his wife, Mrs. Elayna Cohen, who will serve as the Lady Mayoress. Councillor Dan Cohen, a native of Alwoodley, was educated at Leeds Grammar School before studying law at Northumbria University.
After graduating in 1996 and qualifying as a solicitor, he spent the majority of his career as managing director and head of in-house legal at Madison Hosiery — a prominent Leeds-based SME that imports and distributes hosiery to major UK retailers. The company was founded by his father, Henry Cohen, in the 1960s. Elected to represent the Alwoodley ward on Leeds City Council in May 2011, Councillor Cohen has established a strong reputation as a committed and proactive representative. He has also served as chair of the council’s Children and Families Scrutiny Board.
In addition to his responsibilities on the council, Councillor Dan Cohen serves as head of in-house legal at The Cohen Foundation. He is also deeply involved in education, acting as Chair of Governors at Leeds Jewish Free School, a school he helped establish in 2013 and serving as a governor at Brodetsky Primary School, Highfield Primary School, and Allerton High School.
As part of his role as Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Cohen has selected Leeds Mencap as his chosen charity for the year. This independent local organisation provides vital support to children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, and other additional needs, helping them feel valued, empowered, and able to thrive. Rabbi Anthony Gilbert has generously agreed to serve as the Lord Mayor’s chaplain throughout his term in office.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen said:
“I am honoured and hugely humbled to become the 131st Lord Mayor of Leeds, especially as we move into our city’s 400th birthday year.”
“As a Leeds boy, it means the world to be able to serve my city in this way. Leeds is an amazing, vibrant, diverse, and dynamic city, and its citizens reflect all those qualities in bucketfuls. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to have this chance to serve my home city as its Lord Mayor.
“It is also an honour to be representing such a worthwhile charity as Leeds Mencap throughout my mayoral year. I will do all I can throughout my tenure to raise the profile and much-needed funds for this fantastic organisation.”
The new Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Elayna Cohen said:
“I’m very honoured to become Lady Mayoress and I’m really looking forward to supporting Dan in his Mayoral duties throughout the coming year.
“It will be such an honour to meet so many people, doing fantastic work for our city and the community, and to have the opportunity to thank and recognise everyone for all they do to make our city the very best place to live in the UK.”
Heartfelt Congratulations to Councillor Dan Cohen on his appointment as Lord Mayor of Leeds. On behalf of all who cherish the spirit and progress of our great city, we extend our warmest congratulations to Councillor Dan Cohen on his appointment as the 131st Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Your dedication to public service, deep roots in the community, and tireless advocacy for education and social inclusion have long distinguished you as a leader of principle and purpose. As you step into this historic role, we celebrate not only your personal achievement but also the values you bring — integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the people of Leeds. May your tenure be marked by unity, opportunity, and continued progress. We also extend our best wishes to Mrs. Elayna Cohen as she assumes the role of Lady Mayoress.
May this mayoral year be both impactful and inspiring, and may you lead our city with the same wisdom and heart that have defined your public life thus far.
