Biography: The Lord Mayor of York
Reverend Councillor Chris Cullwick is the Lord Mayor of York for the civic year of 2023 to 2024.
The Lord Mayor of York and the Lady Mayoress, 2023 to 2024
Photo credit: Furmoto Photography
Chris was first elected to City of York Council in 2015 to serve the ward of Huntington and New Earswick. He was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
He grew up in Swindon, studied Geography at Hull University and Theology at Oxford. Ordained in the Church of England since 1981 he came to York in 1984 to join the staff at St Michael le Belfrey before serving in Huntington and New Earswick from 1987 – 2002. Subsequently he took up a wider role developing chaplaincy during which time he was based at York St John University.
By the time he retired in 2014 he had been instrumental in establishing several new charities and initiatives including a network of Foodbanks, Street Angels, York Neighbours, Family Matters, One Voice and the York Schools and Youth Trust (YoYo). He had also pioneered a York Festival of Faith and Culture and helped to establish York as a Fairtrade City.
He has played a significant role in civic life having served as Chaplain to two Sheriffs, one Lord Mayor and four Guilds. He also served as Master to the Guild of Building 2015 – 16. He is a member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers and an honorary member of the Gild of Freemen.
The civic year 2023 – 2024 represents a second term as Lord Mayor of York. Chris served in 2021 – 2022 but recognising how the pandemic compromised this civic year he was subsequently nominated to serve a further term.
Chris and Joy met as students and have been married since 1976. They have two grown sons and four grandchildren.