Cllr Iain Sharpe
(Local Councillor)
Iain Sharpe moved to the Watford area from Scotland in the 1970s.
He served as councillor for Oxhey between 1991 and 2021 and was elected again in 2025.
He is passionate about preserving Watford’s heritage and improving the town’s parks and green spaces, both of which he has championed in his time as a councillor.
He enjoys supporting Watford FC, the Scotland rugby team, reading and writing about history and being a stepdad and grandad. He is married to Baroness Dorothy Thornhill, former Mayor of Watford.
Email: iain.sharpe@watford.gov.uk
Mayor Peter Taylor
(Mayor and County Councillor for Oxhey and Central)
Peter Taylor was elected Liberal Democrat councillor for Oxhey Ward in 2012 and served in Dorothy Thornhill’s Cabinet as Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Client Services, with responsibility for parks, leisure centres, waste collection and theatres. He became Mayor of Watford on 4 May 2018, succeeding Thornhill with 48.7% of first-preference votes—the first successful Lib Dem succession to the mayoralty since 2010.
His priorities include improving transport infrastructure and support for rough sleepers, notably through a Cycle Hire Scheme, an on-demand bus service, and a replacement for the cancelled Metropolitan Line Extension. He engages residents through regular social media activity, including Facebook Live Q&A sessions.
Originally from Sheffield, he studied at the University of Edinburgh before moving to Watford to work as a teacher and later as Assistant Director of the Catholic Education Service. He lives in Oxhey with his wife and three children.
Email: themayor@watford.gov.uk
