Hackney's first-ever Green Mayor, Zoë Garbett, has unveiled her cabinet following a landslide victory in the local elections. The new mayor announced her eight senior councillors on Monday, May 11, assigning them responsibility for key policy areas including finance, housing, and education. Most of the cabinet members were first elected to the council just days earlier, on Friday, May 8.
Youngest Deputy Mayor in History
Mayor Garbett has appointed 20-year-old Dylan Law as her deputy, making him the youngest councillor and cabinet appointee in Hackney Council's history. Law will oversee housing management and repairs, the private rented sector, and affordable housing. The previous record was held by Labour's Mete Coban, who was first elected at 21 in 2014 and later became a cabinet member at 29 before stepping down in 2024 to become Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy.
Mayor's Own Responsibilities
In addition to her mayoral duties—budget, strategy, and political leadership—Garbett will personally oversee community safety and policing, as well as efforts to tackle domestic violence, hate crime, and poverty. She expressed pride in the team, stating: 'I'm so proud that Hackney has put its faith not just in me but an incredible group of new councillors who believe that Hackney can change for the better. My new cabinet has deep roots across Hackney, reflecting the borough's diversity, its solidarity, and its communities.'
Experienced and New Faces
The only cabinet member with prior council experience is Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, who served as co-leader of the Greens' opposition group during the previous term. He becomes Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Inclusive Neighbourhoods. Another notable appointee is Florence Schechter, founder of the Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green and former director of the Museum of the Home, who will serve as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resident Services and Digital.
Portfolio Adjustments
Mayor Garbett has also restructured some portfolios, converting the Homelessness Prevention and Temporary Accommodation brief into a Deputy Cabinet Member position. Further appointments are expected in the coming days, and the Town Hall's committees will be reorganized to reflect the new political makeup of the chamber.
Full Cabinet List
- Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Inclusive Neighbourhoods
- Cllr Florence Schechter – Cabinet Member for Finance, Resident Services and Digital
- Cllr Soraya Adejare – Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Early Intervention
- Cllr Sam Mathys – Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Nightlife and Licensing
- Cllr Rachel Nkiessu-Guifo – Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Skills, High Streets and Markets
- Cllr Laura-Louise Fairley – Deputy Cabinet Member for SEND Support
- Cllr Abi Kingston – Deputy Cabinet Member for Homelessness Prevention and Temporary Accommodation
Election Landslide
The Greens swept to victory in the 2026 local elections, winning 42 of 57 council seats and dismantling Labour's long-held majority, which was reduced to just nine councillors. Garbett won the mayoral race with 47.2% of the vote, defeating Labour incumbent Caroline Woodley by 8,855 votes. Labour, which had won every mayoral election since the office's creation and controlled the council for all but seven years since 1965, is now the official opposition. The Conservative Party secured six seats, becoming the third-largest group on the council.
