Councillor Sara Hackman has said she is ‘proud and humbled’ to have been nominated to serve as Mayor of Douglas for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Douglas mother of two and reconciliations administrator with Hansard International was elected to Douglas Borough Council in 2008, since when she has served on the former Environmental Improvements, where she was vice-chairman, and Housing and Property committees.

She has ‘a passion’ for protecting the environment and a strong sense of community, which saw her become a member of the Douglas Britain in Bloom working group. ‘That was a campaign I thoroughly enjoyed being involved with,’ she said, ‘so I was delighted when Douglas won the RHS Britain in Bloom Young People’s award as well as a silver gilt medal in the 2010 competition.’

She is also an active member of Ballakermeen High School’s parent teacher association and of the Mannanan Lions Club.

Councillor Hackman has already had a taste of what her civic role will entail, having served as Mayoress to Councillor Carol Malarkey throughout most of the 2013-2014 municipal year and as Deputy Mayor in the 2012-2013 municipal year.

Looking ahead to May 13th when she will accept the office of Mayor at the Council’s Annual General Meeting Councillor Hackman said: ‘As Mayor I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet the many individuals and organisations who contribute to making Douglas the very special place it is. I also hope to build on my work with various local community groups and lend visibility to a number of charitable causes with the support of my colleagues and friends.

‘I am very grateful to my fellow Members for their confidence in me and as Mayor I shall aim to be a good ambassador, not only for Douglas but also for the Isle of Man, promoting the capital and the island at every opportunity.’