The Mayor of Solihull for 2025 to 2026.
The Mayor of Solihull
2025 - 2026 Councillor Annette Mackenzie
Annette was born in Marston Green and was brought up in Sheldon, West Midlands. Annette’s parents moved from Scotland to the West Midlands when her father joined Birmingham City Police Force.
When Annette expressed interest in joining the police force, her father advised her to gain some life skills. After finishing college, she worked in an office. At 17, having never been abroad before, she travelled to Greece and found work as a nanny.
Over the next few years Annette had a variety of occupations, working in shops, offices, a sweet factory, as a fruit picker and an auxiliary nurse, as well as working as a nanny in Greece, Sweden and Switzerland. Her last employment before joining West Midlands Police as a Patrol Officer was managing the Blue Sea Pension hostel in Sitia, Crete.
Annette was stationed at Solihull Police Station for almost ten years, but after having two children, she made the difficult decision to leave, resigning with an ‘exemplary’ reference.
Annette has four children, two boys and two girls, who all attended local schools in Solihull. She began childminding, with the intention of returning to the police force when her children were older. However, this wasn’t to be, as Annette loved her new occupation and carried on childminding for almost 30 years. During this time, Annette helped run a Childminding Group and a parent/carer and toddler session in Shirley, while completing qualifications in Childhood Studies.
Annette also worked at Long Lartin Prison and as a Family Support Worker, only resigning from this post when she became a Local Councillor.
Annette was also a carer to both her parents in their later years which has helped her with her role on the Carers Partnership Board.
Annette has lived on the Shirley East Ward for over 40 years and has represented this area as a Local Councillor for the last 10 years. Annette has previously been a School Governor.
Annette is the proud grandmother of six children. She is looking forward to her new role as well as continuing with her other commitments.
The Mayor's Consort
2025/26 Kimberley Dodd
Kimberley is the Mayor’s eldest daughter.
Kimberley was born in Solihull and lives in Solihull.
She is the proud mother of three boys who all attend local Solihull schools.
Kimberley gained qualifications in Childhood Studies and worked in the childcare sector for many years. She now works full time as a case worker assisting Solihull residents.
Mayor’s Sea Scout
2025/26 Connie Bate
Connie has been a member of the 4th Knowle Sea Scout Group for seven years and an Explorer Sea Scout for 18 months.
She has recently completed her Paddlesport Instructor Qualification through explorers so is able to teach younger scouts how to Kayak and be safe with stand-up paddleboards (SUP’s). She is currently working towards her Young Leader Award, a part of which is to volunteer with a Beaver group.
She raised money through car boots, sweet sales at fetes, refereeing, and delivering magazines to participate in the World Scout Australian Jamboree 2025 for three weeks from 26 December 2024 to 18 January 2025.
Connie has also achieved her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and will begin working towards her Gold when she turns 16. She is currently studying for her GCSEs at Arden Academy.
Along with her hobbies in the sea scouts, Connie is also passionate about football, captaining the GU16 Hawks football team and is currently completing her refereeing qualification.
She is also a keen hiker, having climbed mountains such as Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Scafell Pike and hopefully soon, Ben Nevis. She has run for Solihull and Small Heath Athletics club for five years and represented Arden Academy, gaining the coveted Sports Tie and has been a sports leader, assisting local primary schools with sports.
