Norwich has a new Lord Mayor and Sheriff, after the pair took up their posts following today's official mayor making ceremony.
City councillor Marion Maxwell has become the 105th Lord Mayor in the city's history, while Richard Marks, boss of Norwich's John Lewis store, is the new Sheriff of Norwich.
The duo donned their robes and chains of office for the first time in a ceremony at City Hall, before embarking on a procession through the city's streets this afternoon.
The new Lord Mayor, Labour councillor for Crome ward, said: 'I feel very privileged to have been granted this honour of serving as Lord Mayor.
'Championing social issues has always been a passion of mine, something I have tried to do in my professional life and as a councillor.
'I'm excited that the year ahead will provide a whole host of opportunities to meet new people and help raise the profile of the fine work so many are doing in Norwich.'
Born in Manchester, the daughter of a police officer who served in the Lancashire constabulary. she came to Norwich in 1985 to take a senior post at Her Majesty's Stationery Office and has lived in the city ever since.
She worked for Unison in education and training and as the head of trade union studies at City College Norwich, before becoming a city councillor in 2012. New Sheriff Mr Marks, who is head of branch at the city's John Lewis store in All Saints Green, said: 'I'm passionate about Norwich, a truly fine city that I love living in with its excellent shops, restaurants, parks and other leisure facilities along with its rich cultural offering including its cinemas, theatres and museums, to mention just a few of its gems.
'Norwich is also an economic powerhouse for the region and one of the top tech cities. I'm very much looking forward to a fun year head with Marion as Lord Mayor, and in particular the added opportunities to meet more of the city's thriving small and start-up businesses and celebrate the work they do.'
Mr Marks started working for John Lewis 35 years ago as a graduate trainee in Oxford Street. His early career was spent in several London branches before moving to Norwich as general manager of Bonds in 1992.
In 2001 he oversaw the name change to John Lewis and the move to open on Mondays, followed by Sundays in 2003. He co-ordinated the £7m investment in the shop in 2011.
In the last few years he has acted head of branch at John Lewis shops in Peterborough, Kingston and Leicester before returning permanently as head of branch, Norwich in 2014.
Thanks were formally given to outgoing Lord Mayor Brenda Arthur and Sheriff Beryl Blower.
Norwich is one of just 25 cities in the UK which elects a Lord Mayor - always a serving city councillor. The role is primarily ceremonial and apolitical.
Norwich has had a mayor since 1404, but the Lord Mayor role came into being in 1910.
Norwich had the right to elect two Shire's Reeves (which became the word Sheriff) from 1404. That was reduced to one by the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835.
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