The Mayor's Office

The Mayor, and Mayoress 2008 - 2009

Mayor of Solihull

David Stewert Bell

Born in Birmingham to Scots parents David lives in Berkswell, a part of the Meriden Ward which he has represented for 8 years.

A Chartered Surveyor he was educated at Moseley Grammar School and became Captain of School in his final year. David worked initially in Birmingham with day release at Matthew Boulton College before taking his Finals at West London College. At this time he served with the London Scottish Territorial Army and developed a modicum of proficiency at playing the Bagpipes.

Following a short period with Birmingham City Estates Department, he served as a volunteer with VSO in Tanzania at the Ministry of Lands in Dar-es-Salaam. Returning to the Midlands he joined a long established family firm of surveyors in Sutton Coldfield and eventually became Managing Partner prior to the firm being absorbed by General Accident. He retired last year with the introduction of Home Inspection Packs.

David has been a lifelong member of the Birmingham and Midland Scottish Society, and was President in its Centenary Year 1988. He was Founder Member and former President of Sutton Vesey Rotary Club. He served on the local VSO Committee for 20 years with 10 as Secretary and has recently retired as Chairman of the Meriden Constituency Conservative Association. His hobbies include tennis, swimming and golf and walking. His walks have included two up Mount Kilimanjaro in 1972 and 2000 and a trek through the Himalayas in Nepal. Although too slow to have had very much contact with the ball in his rugby playing days David now enjoys supporting Berkswell and Balsall Rugby Club as a Vice-President.

Having served on many Committees across the Council and outside bodies David was a Scrutiny Chairman for 2 years followed by 4 years as Cabinet Member for Community Services and the Environment.

Mayoress of Solihull

Sally Bell

Sally was born in Leicester. She was educated at Southend High School for Girls and attended Pitmans College in London before embarking on a career as a bi-lingual Secretary in Geneva where she lived for 9 years and developed a love of skiing. After completing a short term contract with UNESCO in Paris, Sally returned to the UK and subsequently worked as a tour guide travelling extensively overseas before settling down and raising her three daughters, combining motherhood with a number of part-time administrative positions.

A former County Netball player, Sally also enjoyed tennis, having recently been Ladies Captain of Berkswell and Balsall Tennis Club. Her hobbies include gardening, bread making and sewing and walking with Lucky, a much loved rescue dog. Her longer walks have included the Inca Trail, the Milford Track, the Himalayas and the Drakensberg Mountains. She is a Member of the WI and the National Trust.

Contact the Mayor's Office

The Mayor's Parlour,
The Council House,
Solihull
B91 9QS

Telephone: 0121 704 6041/6023
Fax: 0121-704-8421/8070
Email: mayor@solihull.gov.uk