Introducing the Mayor and Consort

Darren was born in Hightown, Castleford and was educated at Castleford High School, where he obtained O and A Level qualifications. Other than a brief time away from the area, Darren has always lived in the Wakefield District, living in the Stanley and Outwood area since 1983.

He first started work as a trainee retail manager in 1979, working up to the position of manager. He then spent 32 years working for Wakefield based YPO where he specialised in Procurement, moving later into a sales role, before taking early retirement in 2018. During his time at YPO, he travelled around the UK to represent the organisation at many national forums on procurement and supporting the public sector.

Darren was first elected to Wakefield Council in 2016, where it has been an absolute privilege to serve the residents of Horbury and South Ossett, winning 3 consecutive elections, most recently in May 2024.

As a Councillor, Darren has been involved in many groups and committees and was a cabinet member until standing down to spend more time supporting the communities across Horbury and South Ossett.

Darren’s involvement in the community is far reaching. He is a trustee of The Senior Citizens’ Support Group and Horbury Churches Together, as well as being active within the local British Legion, Horbury Village Partnership, and a founding member of the Friends of Horbury’s Parks.

Throughout his Mayoral year Darren will be joined by his husband, Peter. Darren and Peter have been together since 2005 and held their Civil Partnership on Darren’s 50th birthday back in 2011.

Peter was born in Blackburn and following his family’s relocation to Somerset, spent his early years in Glastonbury. Moving back to Lancashire, his education continued at junior and secondary school level, followed by attending Nelson and Colne College, where he studied Business Studies.

His working career commenced in 1986 when he moved to London to work as an office clerk for an international organisation at their UK Headquarters. Upon moving back to Lancashire, he commenced work as a care worker with the same organisation, before moving back to Somerset in 1992, to commence his Nurse training at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.

As an NHS Nurse, Peter has worked in different locations across the UK throughout his 32-year career. He took early retirement last year, to concentrate on other interests which include complementary therapies, music, historical research, and genealogy.

When Peter is unavailable to attend events, Darren will be joined by people drawn from the community of Horbury and South Ossett.

Darren and Peter are looking forward to meeting many hard-working groups and organisations across the District and beyond. They are both very proud to take up the position of Mayor and Consort, representing the District at the many and varied engagements during the coming year.