A former leading sports broadcast journalist has been made the Mayor of Reading for this year.
Councillor Paul Gittings has been elected as the Mayor of Reading Borough Council for 2026/27, after serving as deputy mayor over the last year.
He has had a storied career in journalism, starting at The Reading Chronicle and the Bucks Free Press, then to the BBC, CNN, Reuters and other organisations.
His career involved interviews with Formula 1 drivers Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna (1960-1994).
He used his first speech as mayor to hail Reading as a place that welcomes refugees.
There was an interval when his mayoralty was officiated, with guests being entertained by the Ukrainian choir Kryla.
Cllr Gittings called the times “febrile”, given the rhetoric surrounding immigration and asylum seekers.
He said: “Reading is proud to be a City of Sanctuary.
“Many Ukrainians in the choir found sanctuary and support in our town. They now perform widely throughout the country in places with sizeable Ukrainian populations.
“Kryla means wings; this symbolises music, poetry, inner strength and hope. Let’s keep hope alive, said Jesse Jackson when he visited Reading in 2009.
“I’ll say now, if I encounter racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in our town, I will speak out. Diversity is our strength, long may it continue.”
He has long served on the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, which governs the rescue service, and is currently vice-chair of the authority.
On the controversial topic of mayoral expenses, he said: “We go to many events – travel costs for the mayor are fully costed for, and are a small price to pay.
“This is about civic pride and maintaining partnerships.”
Closing his speech, cllr Gittings said: “Reading remains a big little town, with a compact, accessible feel, that’s why we have a strong sense of community.
“Myself and my family owe so much to the big little town. Reading is a fantastic place, it’s the honour of my life to represent this town.”
He was nominated by his ward colleague and leader of the council, Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) and Graeme Hoskin (Labour, Southcote).
Cllr Terry said: “Anyone who knows Paul, knows he likes to talk! I’ve learnt to listen carefully.”
Cllr Hoskin added: “Paul is one of the most energetic people I know. His service to this town will be a quarter of a century.
“He hurls himself into every challenge. He has campaigned with unceasing passion.”
Thanking them, Cllr Gittings said: “Liz, for her sins, has been my colleague for 14 years now!
“I really appreciate her kind words. Graeme is now the longest serving councillor, for two years longer than me.”
Cllr Gittings has chosen Sport in Mind, ABC to Read, and the Refugee Support Group as his supported charities.
His mayoral escort will be Ellie Emberson, his former colleague who served as a Labour councillor for Coley from 2018 to 2026.
She narrowly lost her seat to Richard Walkem, the Green Party candidate, on Thursday, May 7.
Cllr Amjad Tarar (Labour, Battle) was elected as the deputy mayor.
The selections took place at the council’s annual meeting at Reading Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday, May 27).
