Apprentice Star Kayode Damali Bids for Lewisham Mayor 2026

Key Points

• Kayode Damali, a former contestant on BBC’s The Apprentice series 14 in 2018, is standing as an independent candidate for Mayor of Lewisham in the election on 7 May 2026.
• Born and raised in Lewisham, Damali is an entrepreneur, professional speaker, event host, and local community leader, serving as Run Director for Catford parkrun and Forster Memorial Park Junior parkrun.
• He is running a social media-powered campaign, primarily via TikTok and Instagram, where he discusses local issues and has garnered thousands of views and resident engagement, earning the nickname “The TikTok Mayor”.
• Damali rejects party politics, stating Lewisham needs independent, resident-first leadership without towing party lines.
• His campaign centres on the acronym WISH: Working and housing (affordable living), Identity and pride in Lewisham, Safer and cleaner streets, Honest and independent leadership.
• He proposes monthly town centre marquees for resident questions, transparency, and a diverse Cabinet from different parties.
• Damali has local involvement including founding Lewisham iCONS, past youth work for Lewisham Council, and current school governor role at Brindishe Schools.
• The election features eight candidates, including Labour’s Amanda De Ryk, Green’s Liam Shrivastava, and others; incumbent Labour mayor Brenda Dacres is not running after entering the House of Lords.
• Damali emphasises he is not career politician, running specifically for Lewisham now, and commits to presence before, during, and after the campaign.

Lewisham (South London News) May 6, 2026. Lewisham residents head to the polls tomorrow, 7 May 2026, to elect a new mayor amid a field of eight candidates, including independent contender Kayode Damali, a former BBC The Apprentice contestant known for his social media savvy and local roots. Damali, born and raised in the borough, positions himself as a non-politician offering a “new style of leadership” focused on residents rather than parties. The election coincides with local councillor votes in one of London’s five boroughs with a directly elected mayor role, responsible for council strategy, budget proposals, and cabinet leadership.

Who is Kayode Damali and what is his background in Lewisham?

Kayode Damali gained national recognition as a contestant on series 14 of BBC’s The Apprentice in 2018, where he won four out of seven tasks before exiting in week seven. As reported by Phoebe Fuller of the Evening Standard, Damali has built a career in professional speaking, entrepreneurship, and hosting events, delivering talks to inspire young people across the country.

He remains deeply embedded in Lewisham, having worked as a youth worker for the London Borough of Lewisham in 2011, organising youth club activities and trips.

Damali serves as Run Director for Catford parkrun and Forster Memorial Park Junior parkrun, fostering community running events.

He founded Lewisham iCONS, a platform celebrating local role models and creating opportunities for the next generation. Currently, he is a governor at Brindishe Schools, chairing the Standards Committee on educational outcomes and attendance. As noted in London Post coverage, Damali’s local ties underpin his candidacy:

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

Why is Kayode Damali running as an independent for Lewisham mayor?

Damali spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), as covered by Phoebe Fuller in the Evening Standard, explaining his aversion to parties:

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

He continued, “The minute I become part of a party, then it’s Lewisham plus a party. For me, it’s Lewisham or nothing”. Damali clarified this is not a career move:

“If this election wasn’t taking place right now, I wouldn’t be running anywhere else. I thought the best thing to do is to run and stand as an independent rather than see it as a career. I don’t want to work my way up to become Prime Minister or Mayor of London or anything like that”.

In Salamander News, Damali stated:

“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”.

He critiques long-term party dominance:

“Lewisham has been run by the same political structures for decades, and on the whole residents are not happy. Electing me would mean an independent leader that answers directly to residents. Not to party lines”.

Damali commits ongoing presence:

“I’ve been here before the campaign, I’m here during the campaign, and I’ll be here long after the campaign too”.

What is the WISH platform in Kayode Damali’s mayoral campaign?

Damali’s vision forms the acronym WISH, detailed in Evening Standard reporting by Phoebe Fuller:

“‘W’ [stands for] working and housing, I want to have a borough where people can afford to live and thrive”.

He elaborated:

“‘I’ – having a stronger identity and pride in Lewisham. ‘S’ – safer and cleaner streets for everyone. ‘H’ is for honest and independent leadership”.

This framework addresses affordability, community pride, safety, and transparent governance.

How is Kayode Damali powering his campaign through social media?

Forgoing large-scale canvassing, Damali leverages platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where his videos on local news generate thousands of views and responses from residents. London Post describes it as a “digital-first approach” already producing millions of views, with supporters dubbing him “The TikTok Mayor”.

His Instagram (@kayodedamali) boasts 10,000 followers and posts announcing his 2026 bid. Damali aims to boost engagement:

“He says he wants the contest to become the most widely discussed local election Lewisham has seen, encouraging more people to pay attention and turn out to vote”.

Who are the other candidates in the 2026 Lewisham mayoral election?

The ballot includes eight contenders, per Evening Standard: Jay Delaney Coward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Kayode Damali (Independent), Amanda De Ryk (Labour and Co-operative Party), Josh Matthews (Liberal Democrats), Roger Mighton (Independent), Pete Newman (Reform UK), Liam Shrivastava (Green Party), Sylbourne Sydial (Conservatives). Incumbent Brenda Dacres, Labour, entered the House of Lords in January 2026 and is not seeking re-election; Labour and Greens are frontrunners. Salamander News lists similar opponents alongside Damali.

What leadership style does Kayode Damali propose as Lewisham mayor?

Damali pledges approachability:

“[If I were mayor], I’d be so approachable. I’ll set up a marquee in the town centre once a month where residents can come and ask me anything”.

He prioritises transparency: “My cabinet members and my councillors will be known – that’s what I mean by honest and independent leadership. I will be so transparent with it you will know there’s nothing being held back”. Though independent, he welcomes cross-party collaboration:

“I would ‘love’ to have a Cabinet made up of councillors from different political parties… I get on with whoever… I’d love to work with people from different parties, I don’t think we should have a one-party domination in Lewisham”.

He added:

“I get on with the Labour councillors, I get on with the Green councillors… I would love to work with them”.

Damali admits limits:

“I’m never one to pretend I have all the answers but says he will listen to everyone’s ‘unique experiences’ no matter their background”.

Background of the Development

The 2026 Lewisham mayoral election occurs on 7 May 2026 alongside councillor polls, replacing directly elected mayors in five London boroughs, including Lewisham, where the role leads council strategy and budget. Incumbent Brenda Dacres vacated after her House of Lords appointment in January 2026.

Kayode Damali announced his bid in March 2026 via social media, with coverage starting in the London Post on 19 March, followed by the Evening Standard on 29 April and Voice Online on 4 May. His independent entry challenges Labour-Green dominance in a borough long under similar structures. Damali’s Apprentice appearance dates to 2018, with sustained local roles since.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Lewisham Residents

This development introduces an independent voice emphasising social media engagement and WISH priorities, potentially increasing voter turnout through digital discussions on housing affordability, safety, and pride. Residents may experience heightened transparency via proposed monthly forums, affecting access to leadership. A Damali win could diversify cabinet representation, influencing cross-party policy on streets and housing for everyday borough dwellers. Regardless of outcome, his campaign raises local issues visibility, impacting resident awareness ahead of polls. Lewisham voters gain an alternative to party lines, shaping budget and strategy decisions post-7 May.