A range of leadership, Cabinet and committee appointments were confirmed at Brent’s Annual Council Meeting this evening (Wednesday 20 May).
Councillor Muhammed Butt, who represents Tokyngton, was elected Leader of Brent Council. His appointment follows the outcome of the local elections held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Labour is the largest single group with 26 councillors, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both have 11 councillors each and the Green Party 9 councillors.
Cllr Butt said: “It is an enormous privilege to continue serving the borough where I was born and raised, where my family is from, and a community whose future I care about deeply.
“The priorities for this administration are clear: cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, more affordable homes and a borough where opportunity is shared more fairly across every community.
“We will focus relentlessly on the issues that matter most to residents. Brent is one of the most ambitious and dynamic boroughs anywhere in Britain. My focus now is on working every single day to make sure that ambition is matched by opportunity for all residents.”
Cllr Gwen Grahl was appointed Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources while Cllr Butt will also cover Adult Social Care as part of his remit. The other councillors who make up the Cabinet, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the council, are:
- Cllr Tina Amadi, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support
- Cllr Liz Dixon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health
- Cllr Robert Johnson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters
- Cllr Matt Kelcher, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning
- Cllr Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm
- Cllr Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Employment and Climate Action
In addition to the Cabinet appointments, the council also confirmed the main committee appointments at the Annual Council Meeting, including positions on key decision-making committees that oversee areas such as planning and licensing as well as the key roles on Scrutiny Committees. The appointments ensure the council’s formal committees are in place to support transparent decision-making, robust scrutiny and the effective running of council business. In line with legislation, committee appointments are politically balanced to reflect the outcome of the May 2026 local election.
For more information, read the Agenda or watch the recording of the meeting.
