Antiguan born, Councillor Sydney Knight, took up duties as Mayor of Luton, in the United Kingdom, on May 15th 2012, twelve days after his 69th birthday. The ceremony for his investiture took place on May 23rd.
 

Knight, who grew up in Antigua, is the son of the late Felix and Ethelinda Knight, who last resided in Otto’s. He left Antigua in 1966, in his mid twenties, for London, where his maternal grandmother lived.
 

Before leaving, he was a tailor at Lord’s Tailor Shop, and also worked at the General Post Office. He continued his education in London, while working there for British Rails, and his articulate nature and leadership qualities soon made him a shop steward.
 

In 1991, he became Councillor Syd Knight, winning a seat on the Local Government Council in Sundon Park, Luton, as a British Labour Party Member, and served as an executive member of that council until 2003, when he lost his seat. Eight years later, in the last election, he regained his seat, capturing the largest number of votes cast for any candidate. He was on his way to the mayor’s seat, and now he sits in it.
 

Councillor Mayor Syd Knight is the second of six siblings, the youngest two of whom, retired school teacher Alice Knight, and prominent physician, Dr James Knight, reside in Antigua. He is married to Rose Knight, originally from St Kitts, and has three children and three grandchildren.
 

Though he belongs to the third generation of persons in his family to hold prominent public service and religious positions which were once reserved for white people, becoming Mayor of Luton, United Kingdom, is an accomplishment for which he deserves the greatest congratulations and respect.