Tower Hamlets confirms new civic Speaker: what residents need to know

By Munisha Newsroom

Tower Hamlets Council has confirmed Councillor Musthak Ahmed as the borough’s new Speaker following its Annual General Meeting at Whitechapel Town Hall on Wednesday 20 May.

Councillor Ahmed, who represents Bethnal Green West, will serve as the borough’s First Citizen. Councillor Iqbal Hossain, who represents Lansbury, has been confirmed as Deputy Speaker.

Musthak Ahmed elected at Whitechapel Town Hall

The Speaker’s post is a civic role, separate from day-to-day cabinet responsibilities. The office holder attends civic and ceremonial functions, represents the borough at public events and acts as an ambassador for local achievements.

Councillor Ahmed will also chair full Council meetings and receive official visitors to Tower Hamlets. After his election, he described the appointment as “a moment of deep honour, humility and profound responsibility”.

He said his earlier years in restaurant work, business and later education as a mature student had shaped his view of public service, opportunity and the dignity of work.

Deputy Speaker and cabinet roles confirmed

The AGM also confirmed Councillor Iqbal Hossain as Deputy Speaker. The meeting followed the local elections held on Thursday 7 May 2026 and set out the new administration’s cabinet portfolios.

Councillor Maium Talukdar was confirmed as Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and the Cost of Living, Improving Customer Services, and Voluntary Sector Engagement.

Other cabinet roles cover children and young people, council homes, finance, public health, community safety, leisure and culture, the environment, and jobs and growth.

Committee chairs named for the new council term

Several committee chairs were also confirmed, including Councillor Halima Islam for Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Abdul Wahid for the Development Committee, Councillor Amin Rahman for Strategic Development and Councillor Peter Golds for Licensing.

The council said Councillor Ahmed will formally announce his official charities at the next Council meeting.

Source: Tower Hamlets Council

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Source check Source trail

This brief is based on the published Tower Hamlets Council AGM update and keeps to the appointments, roles and dates named there.

Checks

• Confirmed the AGM location as Whitechapel Town Hall.
• Checked the named Speaker and Deputy Speaker against the council notice.
• Matched ward details for Bethnal Green West and Lansbury as stated in the source.
• Kept cabinet and committee details to roles confirmed in the AGM notice.

Tower Hamlets Council Check wider coverage

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Tower Hamlets Council

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Tower Hamlets

Updated

2026-05-26 20:17

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Article contextPeople & topics3#7

Musthak AhmedIqbal HossainMaium Talukdar

#Bethnal Green West#Councillor Iqbal Hossain#Councillor Musthak Ahmed#Lansbury#Local Government#Tower Hamlets Council#Whitechapel Town Hall

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