Councillor Simon Thomas
Councillor Simon Thomas is the Mayor of Trafford for the municipal year 2026 to 2027.
- Consort: Mrs Michelle Thomas
- Ward: Flixton
- First elected: 2018
- Chosen charities for 2026–27:
- The House Project
- The Cecilia Centre (an annex of The Christie)
Council service
Simon was elected as a councillor in 2018, succeeding Alderman Viv Ward. Viv remains a good friend to Simon and his wife, Michelle.
His early committee work included Licensing and Health, followed by a year as Sports Safety Chair. He then served on Licensing and Planning, including three years as Deputy Chair of Licensing, before stepping down.
Over the past two years, Simon has focused on Planning and Scrutiny, an area of particular interest given his earlier role as a Civil Engineering Technician with Manchester City Council.
Early life and introduction to politics
Simon was born on Torbay Road in 1965 and grew up locally, attending Flixton Infants and Juniors before moving on to Urmston Grammar School for Boys.
His first experience of politics came in the early 1980s, canvassing for Baroness Hughes.
He later stepped away from politics to focus on sport, playing football in local Sunday league pub teams, cricket for both Stretford and Flixton Cricket Clubs (where he captained the 3rd XI) and lacrosse for Urmston Lacrosse Club.
Time as a Parent Governor
When Simon's children started school, he became more involved in the community again, serving as a parent governor at Woodsend Primary School for eight years, including the final two as Chair.
This role gave him his first opportunity to speak in the council chamber, where he opposed the closure of the school. He later continued as a parent governor at Flixton Girls’ School.
Community involvement
Simon believes that building community cohesion and encouraging social development in young people starts at home. However, it must be supported by opportunities to participate in activities like sports clubs and dance schools.
He would also welcome the return of traditional youth clubs, as Flixton Youth Club played a hugely positive role in his upbringing.
The Mayoress to the Mayor of the Borough of Trafford
Mrs Michelle Thomas, Simon's wife, is the Mayoress to the Mayor of Trafford for the municipal year 2026 to 2027. Michelle is a self-taught knitter, sewer, and crochet queen, and is branching into soap and candle making.
She has been married to Simon for 35 years, and the couple has two daughters, Kirsty and Alicia. Simon and Alicia once achieved second place in the European Adult and Child Pairs competition and went on to win the Commonwealth Pairs title!
Mayoral charities
Simon’s charities for 2026–27 are The House Project, which helps young care-leavers transition into adulthood and the Cecilia Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, an annex of The Christie.
Donate to the Mayor's charity fund on JustGiving
You can also donate by sending a cheque to the Mayor's Office, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 0TH.
Full biography
You can read the full biography of Councillor Simon Thomas.