The Worshipful the Mayor of Stafford Borough
Councillor Mark Winnington 2026-2027
Mark has always called Staffordshire home. Born to Arthur and Janet, for almost all of Mark’s life he has lived on his family’s farm outside of Gnosall.
During his early years he called John ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne his neighbour and has fond memories of the ‘Prince of Darkness’ visiting the farm while milking was underway.
It was while growing up on the farm that his love for Staffordshire was founded and has continued ever since.
Both his sons, James and Neil, were born and raised in the county before relocating to Yorkshire and Cumbria to begin their professional careers.
For much of his adult life Mark has been a ferocious supporter of the county and has served as a County and Borough Councillor for three decades. He still serves as the Borough councillor for Gnosall.
His achievements include the rollout of accessible broadband to 96 per cent of the county and was heavily involved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
For five years Mark was Chairman of the Board of West Midlands Rail Executive, where he worked tirelessly to establish the rail service as one of the best in the United Kingdom.
He is a keen member of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society and relishes being part of the organisation’s annual County Show where the best of Staffordshire is showcased.
The Mayor will be raising money during his civic year for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (midlandsairambulance.com) (serving Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent), Katharine House Hospice (khhospice.org.uk) and other local charities.
Mayoress - Mrs Rosie Winnington
Before she moved to Staffordshire in 2009, Rosie’s life has seen her move from Halifax in West Yorkshire to London, before travelling the world before settling in Australia.
After she briefly moved back to the United Kingdom, Rosie moved to Canada where she welcomed her first child, Joseph, in 1998.
In 2000 she welcomed her second child, Emily, in Newcastle, England.
Since she moved to Staffordshire, Rosie has immersed herself in local culture and traditions of the county. She is the current Chair of the Ladies Committee at Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society. Her principal role with the Ladies Committee raising funds for the Committee’s chosen charity, RABI (The Farmer's Charity).
Among other things she is looking forward to supporting Mark during his time as Mayor and raising the awareness of the Borough of Stafford.
Across her professional career, Rosie has worked in customer service, product management, early years, education, social care and retail. After she moved to Staffordshire in 2009, she gained an undergraduate degree in childhood education from Staffordshire University.