The Mayor of Solihull for 2026 to 2027.
The Mayor of Solihull
Councillor Sardul Singh Marwa MBE JP
Sardul Singh Marwa was born in Punjab, India, where he was educated up until high school, when he and his family moved to England in 1960.
From a young age he showed an interest in learning and after he was settled in England, he completed his secondary education, going on to study Electrical Engineering at college. He later gained a Diploma in Education (DipEd) and also qualified as a Computer Hardware Technician.
His professional career has consisted of work within the electrical industry and after this, work in prisoner finance at HM Prison Birmingham. He began his work in public service at Birmingham City Council as an elected councillor from 1982 to 1987, accepting senior responsibilities such as the Chair of Race Relations and Equal Opportunities Committee. Throughout these years he also chaired the Birmingham C1 Police Consultative Committee, involving duties of community engagement during the aftermath of the Handsworth Riots.
His long-standing commitment to equality and public service included serving:
- as Chair of the Community Relations Council Birmingham
- as a Board Member of the Birmingham Area Health Authority
- as a member of the West Birmingham Health Authority
- as a member of the Birmingham Civic Housing Association
- on the Conservation Advisory Committee Birmingham
- on the National Equal Opportunities Committee for the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union
He was also a founding Board Member of West Midlands Cable Communications, one of the first companies to provide cable television services in the West Midlands.
Councillor Marwa has continued his public service in Solihull and was elected to Solihull Council in 2023, representing the St Alphege ward, which is now known as the St Alphege with Monkspath and Hillfield ward.
Since his election, he has served as Chairman of the Licensing Committee and also on our:
- Planning Committee
- Police and Crime Panel
- Children’s Services and Education Scrutiny Board
- Solihull Schools Forum
- Economic Development and Management Growth Scrutiny Board
- Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board
He is also a Governor of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
He also stood as a Parliamentary candidate in 1983 and 1997, and as a candidate for the European Parliament in 1999.
In recognition of his dedication to young people and community service, he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1990. He also served as a Justice of the Peace from 1995 to 2019, sitting on the adult court bench dealing with serious cases.
Councillor Marwa has also been actively involved in cultural and creative activities throughout his life. In 1965, he formed one of the pioneering Punjabi Bhangra music groups in Britain, The Musafirs (“The Travellers”), and performed as a singer. He is also a public speaker, poet and writer, with a long-standing interest in promoting culture, community engagement and public discussion.
Councillor Marwa is married and has three sons, all of whom have pursued good educational and professional careers. He is also a proud grandfather and takes great pride in seeing the younger generation continue the family’s strong commitment to education and public contribution.
Outside of public life, he is enthusiastic about current affairs, travelling, community broadcasting and sport. He has also presented television programmes on Sikh Channel and hosted radio shows, alongside participating in and following a wide range of sporting activities.
The Mayoress
Satnam Kaur Marwa JP LLB (Hons)
Satnam Marwa is the wife of the Mayor of Solihull. She has a distinguished record of public service within the West Midlands, particularly in the administration of justice and community engagement.
Satnam served for over 38 years as a Magistrate at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, sitting as Chair in adult, youth, and family court sessions, adjudicating on a wide range of serious criminal cases.
She was a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for nine years, contributing to the appointment and assessment of new magistrates and handling sensitive judicial matters with professionalism and integrity.
In 2020 Satnam was honoured to have her portrait displayed at the Magistrates’ Association in London as part of its '100 Years of Justice' exhibition celebrating diversity.
She also served as a member of the Board of Visitors at HMP Birmingham, now known as the Independent Monitoring Board, an unpaid voluntary role appointed by the Secretary of State to help ensure that independent standards of care are maintained within the prison.
Satnam is a member of the Solihull Independent Advisory Group, a collaboration between West Midlands Police and members of the community that provides advice and guidance to local policing within the wider Solihull community.
In addition to her public service, Satnam worked locally at Paragon Banking Group Plc for eight years.
Mrs Marwa holds an LLB (Hons) degree from Birmingham City University and continues to be recognised for her longstanding commitment to public service and the fair administration of justice.
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.
