Current Mayor
Councillor Sudhakar Achwal is the Mayor of Winchester, having been elected at our annual Mayor Making ceremony on 14 May 2025. He is the 826th Mayor of Winchester.
The Mayor has chosen three charities to support this year: Trinity Winchester, Home-Start Winchester and Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis. You can learn more about each of these organisations on the Mayor's Charities web page.
The Mayoralty of Winchester dates back to 1200.
Mayor's Biography
Sudhakar Achwal’s biography
I was born and raised in Nashik near Mumbai, India. My academic path led me to the United Kingdom in 1974, where I pursued a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Salford, supported by the Science Research Council. Those years shaped my curiosity and discipline, culminating in the completion of my doctorate in 1977.
Soon after, I moved to the University of Newcastle as a research assistant. It was there that I met Vivian, who would become my life partner and greatest source of inspiration. We married in 1980 and soon embarked on a new chapter together in Saudi Arabia, where I taught and supervised research at a university during a time of rapid industrial growth in the Kingdom. It was a rare opportunity to contribute to education while witnessing transformation on a national scale.
After several fulfilling years in academia, I returned to my engineering roots with a bold step into the emerging world of Information Technology. I joined Davy Powergas in India, where I applied my technical background to a new digital frontier. This experience led me back to the UK, where I was fortunate to work on a groundbreaking global IT project.
Eventually, I returned fully to chemical engineering, working on the design and development of numerous projects in the petrochemical, refining, and oil & gas sectors. My work took me across Europe, the Middle East, India, the Far East, and the Americas. With every new destination came not just professional milestones, but friendships and cross-cultural understanding that enriched my life immeasurably.
Beyond my career, I’ve found deep fulfilment in volunteering. I was honoured to serve as a parish councillor of the Whiteley Parish Council when it was first formed at the turn of the century—an experience that connected me more deeply to the place I now call home. Whether supporting the Fishermen’s Mission in Whiteley, assisting Communicare, or working with the Royal Voluntary Service, I believe in giving back to the community that welcomed me so warmly. I’m also passionate about the environment, and I try to stay active - on the squash court, walking long distances, or joining local parkruns. My shelves are always full, especially with history books, which continue to fuel my curiosity.
Family remains at the heart of everything. Vivian and I have shared 45 wonderful years together. Her dedication as a Winchester District Councillor for 18 years has always inspired me. Our daughter Apurva-Amy and her husband Callum now live in Canterbury, and we are overjoyed to be proud grandparents to a delightful grandson, who brings new joy into our lives.
Today, I live in Whiteley, England—a place I’m grateful to call home. My journey continues, filled with gratitude for the many experiences, lessons, and people that have shaped it.