Marvin Rees OBE

Marvin Rees OBE became the first elected black mayor of any major European city in May 2016. He previously worked as journalist with the BBC, in the US with President Clinton’s advisor Rev Dr Tony Campolo and in NHS Bristol’s Public Health team. He started his career at Tearfund, one of the UK’s leading international development agencies.

Marvin was re-elected Mayor in May 2021 and has overseen the building of over 12,500 new homes, has announced the development of a mass transit system, and provided almost 29,000 quality experience of work activities for young people. Marvin has successfully worked with partners to secure £95 million to unlock Bristol’s Temple Quarter, one of Europe’s largest regeneration schemes.

He holds Masters in Political Theory and Government, and in Global Economic Development. He is also a Yale World Fellow, was Chair of Core Cities UK 2022-24, and co-founded the City Leadership Programme. Under his leadership Bristol played host to the Big Tent Ideas Festival in 2022.

He lives in Bristol with his wife and three children.