Lifelong West Ham United supporter Dame Susan Langley DBE has become the 697th Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the first to use the title ‘Lady Mayor’.
Dame Susan was born in West Ham and attended school in Harold Wood before going on to forge a successful career in business and civic leadership.
The new Lady Mayor was elected to represent Aldgate Ward on the Court of Aldermen - a committee which forms part of the City of London Corporation - in 2018 and served as Sheriff of the City of London for 2023/24.
On Friday 7 November, Dame Susan was sworn in and began her year in office with the traditional Lady Mayor’s Show in the City of London on Saturday. The Show is the oldest, longest, best loved and least-rehearsed civic procession in the world, dating back to the 13th century, with over 125 organisations and thousands of people taking part in a parade more than three miles long.
Among the organisations and charities who took part in the Show was West Ham United Foundation, showcasing the history and legends of the Club since its formation as Thames Ironworks FC in 1895, the Hammers’ achievements and diversity and the community work done by the Club’s award-winning Foundation.
The Lady Mayor’s Appeal funded the Inspire Zone at The Foundry, West Ham’s recently opened community hub in Beckton in the London Borough of Newham.
As she begins her year as Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan spoke to the Official Programme about her West Ham-loving family and her new role...
Dame Susan, could you please tell us about your childhood - you were born and raised in West Ham and attended school in Harold Wood?
“I had a great childhood, surrounded by family. I’m a real East Ender, I was born in Whitechapel hospital and lived in, and around, West Ham. My family were from Forest Gate and Stratford. My parents, grandmother and I moved out to Harold Wood to live and I went to school around there.”
Were you born into a West Ham-supporting family?
“One hundred per cent! It’s in our blood. All of my family were staunch West Ham supporters. No one supported anyone else!”
What are your earliest memories of being a West Ham supporter?
“My earliest memories of supporting West Ham were matchdays, we mainly watched on TV. It was a serious undertaking, no one was allowed to watch anything else and we all had to be in the lounge sitting on the sofa, as you can see from the photograph of my Dad (below)! I have very vivid early memories of my Dad cheering and shouting at the TV. He had a big glass jar that he used for saving and after every match put in £2 if we won, £1 for a draw and 50p if we lost!! He’d do a reckoning at the end of the year.”
You have worked and travelled all over the world, and football is often a universal language! Has your support for West Ham played a part in your career?
“I think football is a great leveller, wherever you go it’s a conversation starter. It doesn’t matter if you are in New York, Japan or Madrid - whether you are talking to taxi drivers, CEOs or Royalty - you’ve made a connection.”
You were made a DBE for public service and to the financial services industry. How important is it for you to see West Ham have so many women in senior positions on the Board and management of the Club?
“Throughout my life, I’ve come to realise how powerful it is to see people like yourself in all sorts of roles. It proves the point that anyone can do those jobs. Like financial services or the Lady Mayor of the City of London, football should be open to everyone.”
You have been a City of London Alderwoman since 2018, were Sheriff of the City of London in 2023/24 and become just the third woman to become Lord Mayor of the City of London and the first to style herself as Lady Mayor. What does London mean to you?
“I love London, it’s open to everyone. With a little luck and a lot of resilience my journey has taken me from the East End of London, to Chairing one of the UK’s largest insurance brokers (Gallagher), to being made a Dame, and now, Lady Mayor of the City of London.”
What are your feelings on being elected to such an historic and prestigious civic role in your home city?
“It feels a little surreal and I’m really focused on making a difference this year.
“My priorities will be strengthening London’s global leadership, enhancing its reputation, driving business growth, and ensuring the City makes a positive social impact and attracts the talent that it needs. I am also passionate about demonstrating to the next generation that the City really is a great place to live and work.”
West Ham United become the first Premier League club to take part in the Lady Mayor’s Show - what a fantastic honour for the Club?
“It is a fantastic honour for the Club and for me! Another first. West Ham is making history with me… I love that. Can you imagine what my late Dad would have thought? …Life comes full circle…”
