Apprentice Star Kayode Damali Runs for Lewisham Mayor 2026

Key Points

• Kayode Damali, a former contestant on BBC’s The Apprentice in 2018, entrepreneur, professional speaker, and Run Director for Catford parkrun and Forster Memorial Park Junior parkrun, is running as an independent candidate for Mayor of Lewisham in the election on 7 May 2026.
• Born and raised in Lewisham, Damali advocates for a “new style of leadership” with a resident-first approach, independent of political parties.
• His campaign relies primarily on social media, particularly TikTok, where he has around 15,000 followers, posting videos on local issues that generate thousands of views and responses from residents.
• Damali pledges monthly Q&A sessions in a town marquee to engage directly with residents.
• He stated to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I believe Lewisham should be run independently, not by a mayor who has to tow the party lines. The minute I become part of a party, then it’s Lewisham plus a party. For me, it’s Lewisham or nothing”.
• Launched his campaign at a combined launch and birthday party on 27 March 2026 at Cube Club and Lounge in Catford.
• Key concerns include safety, opportunities for young people, cleanliness, and local environment; the first action as mayor would be to “unite the council”.
• In a speech at the launch, Damali said: “I left Lewisham, travelled the world, went up to university, went all over, really trying to discover myself, find my meaning, find what I stand for, and it turns out it was right here in Lewisham this whole time. One thing I do not buy, one thing I refuse to buy, is that Lewisham will not be saved. I refuse to buy that Lewisham is crap, I refuse to buy that nothing can be done here, and that’s exactly why I’m running for Mayor of Lewisham”.
• The election features eight candidates: Jay Coward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Kayode Damali (Independent), Amanda De Ryk (Labour and Co-operative Party), Josh Matthews (Liberal Democrats), Roger Mighton (Independent), Peter Newman (Reform UK), Liam Shrivastava (Green Party), and Sylbourne Sydial (Conservative Party).
• Incumbent Mayor Brenda Dacres, who succeeded Damien Egan, entered the House of Lords in January 2026 and is not seeking re-election.
• Damali positions himself as “not a politician. I’m Lewisham. And Lewisham needs a reset,” aiming to increase voter engagement and discussion in the election.

Lewisham (South London News) April 30, 2026 – Kayode Damali, born and raised in the borough, has launched his campaign as an independent candidate for Mayor of Lewisham, emphasising a resident-first approach free from party politics ahead of the 7 May 2026 election.

Who is Kayode Damali, and Why is He Running for Mayor?

Damali gained national recognition as a contestant on the BBC’s The Apprentice in 2018. Since then, he has built a career as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and event host. Locally, he serves as Run Director for Catford parkrun and Forster Memorial Park Junior parkrun, engaging with community initiatives.

As reported by the MyLondon team, Damali believes Lewisham needs “a new style of leadership” with a focus on residents rather than party lines. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):

“I believe Lewisham should be run independently, not by a mayor who has to tow the party lines”.

This independent stance differentiates him from party-affiliated rivals in the race.

Damali’s social media presence underpins his campaign strategy. He regularly posts TikTok videos discussing local news and issues, attracting thousands of views and responses from Lewisham residents. Branded the “TikTok mayor” by Salamander News, his 15,000 followers on the platform have powered the campaign launch.

How is Damali Powering His Campaign Without Traditional Canvassing?

Instead of large-scale canvassing, Damali is leveraging social media to promote his bid. As covered by the London Post, his approach aims to make the mayoral election the most discussed in Lewisham’s history, boosting turnout. He has generated millions of views on local issues, fostering direct engagement.

At his campaign launch on 27 March 2026 at Cube Club and Lounge in Catford – which doubled as a birthday party – local residents attended after seeing his TikTok content. Herzon, a young Lewisham resident, told Salamander News reporter that he came because of Damali’s videos. Martin, another attendee who met through parkrun, raised concerns about cleanliness.

Damali pledges monthly Q&A sessions in a town marquee to maintain resident interaction. He positions this as a way to answer directly to people, not parties.

What Vision Does Damali Have for Lewisham?

Damali’s priorities include safety, opportunities for young people, cleanliness, and the local environment, as shared at the launch. He told Salamander News:

“The first thing I would do when I became mayor would be ‘unite the council, once we unite the council we can help the people'”.

In his launch speech, as reported by Salamander News, Damali stated:

“I left Lewisham, travelled the world, went up to university, went all over, really trying to discover myself, find my meaning, find what I stand for, and it turns out it was right here in Lewisham this whole time”.

He added:

“One thing I do not buy… is that Lewisham will not be saved. I refuse to buy that Lewisham is crap, I refuse to buy that nothing can be done here and that’s exactly why I’m running for Mayor of Lewisham”.

London Post quoted him saying:

“Lewisham has been run by the same political structures for decades, and on the whole I feel residents are not happy. Electing me would mean an independent leader that answers directly to residents. Not to party lines. I’m also not someone who only appears or cares during election time”.

He describes himself as:

“I’m not a politician. I’m Lewisham. And Lewisham needs a reset”.

Who Are the Other Candidates in the 2026 Lewisham Mayoral Election?

The 2026 Lewisham mayoral election, held alongside council elections for 54 wards, features eight candidates. South East Londoner listed them as: Jay Coward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Kayode Damali (Independent), Amanda De Ryk (Labour and Co-operative Party), Josh Matthews (Liberal Democrats), Roger Mighton (Independent), Peter Newman (Reform UK), Liam Shrivastava (Green Party), and Sylbourne Sydial (Conservative Party).

Labour’s Amanda De Ryk, a councillor, stated:

“My ambition is clear: A Lewisham where every child gets a fair start, where every resident can live in a decent home, and where no one’s health or chances in life are limited by where they live”.

Green Party’s Liam Shrivastava focuses on lowering the cost of living, protecting nature, and opposing council cuts. Jay Coward said:

“We need no cuts – and to mobilise workers and young people to campaign for the funding our services need”.

Wikipedia notes Labour and the Greens as the strongest contenders. Nominations closed on 9 April 2026.

What is the Context of Lewisham’s Mayoral Elections?

Lewisham, one of five London boroughs with a directly elected mayor, saw Labour dominate in 2022 with all 54 council seats and 55% of the mayoral vote. Damien Egan (Labour) won with 58%, but stepped down in 2024 for Parliament; Brenda Dacres succeeded him before entering the House of Lords in January 2026.

The borough, in south-east London bordering Southwark, Greenwich, and Bromley, has over 300,000 diverse residents. Key issues include housing crises with damp and mould, crime 11% above London’s average (92 per 1,000 in 2026), and gentrification fears.

Background of the Development

The development stems from the vacancy created by Brenda Dacres’ departure to the House of Lords in January 2026, following Damien Egan’s 2024 exit. This triggered the 7 May 2026 election, one of Lewisham’s regular cycles since adopting a mayoral system. Damali’s entry reflects growing interest in independent candidacies amid resident dissatisfaction with party politics, as Labour held a clean sweep in 2022 but faces challenges like crime and housing. His social media-driven launch on 27 March 2026 aligns with broader trends in local elections where digital engagement supplements traditional methods, especially post-nominations closure on 9 April.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Lewisham Residents

Kayode Damali’s candidacy introduces an independent voice emphasising direct resident engagement via social media and monthly Q&As, which could increase voter turnout and discussion in a race dominated by Labour. Residents may experience heightened awareness of local issues like safety and youth opportunities through his TikTok content, potentially pressuring all candidates to address them more visibly. If successful, his party-free approach might shift council dynamics towards unity, as he proposes, affecting service delivery on cleanliness and environment for the borough’s 300,000 diverse population. However, with eight candidates and Labour’s historical strength, the race could fragment votes, influencing who prioritises housing and crime – key concerns for everyday Lewisham households. This could lead to more community-focused policies if independents like Damali gain traction or continuity under established parties.