Jeremy Newmark was appointed as Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council in May 2023, having been first elected to the authority in 2017, becoming principal opposition leader shortly afterwards. Jeremy is the first Labour & Cooperative Party Leader of Hertsmere for twenty-four years. As member for Borehamwood’s Cowley Hill Ward he represents an area that scores as one of the highest in the country on the national indices of multiple deprivation.
Cllr Newmark was elected Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board in July 2024. Jeremy also sits on the Board of the Local Enterprise Partnership, known as Hertfordshire Futures, where he co-chairs their Business and Enterprise Panel. Jeremy is a member of the Board of the District Councils Network and is currently their Finance & Investment Spokesperson. Jeremy is also the Chairman of the iconic Elstree Film Studios. He chairs a local Film and Television Community Interest Company that invests in cinema provision and film and TV heritage exhibits.
Jeremy has a professional background in political consultancy with specialisms in international affairs, housing and transport policy. Jeremy has previously headed a national third sector organisation and worked for seven years as spokesperson for the former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks.
Former National Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, Jeremy also advised ministers in the Blair and Brown government on race and faith related issues and served on the Government’s review into relations with faith communities shortly after 9/11.
