Councillor Tony Clayton was elected the Mayor of Sevenoaks on Monday 12th May 2025. Councillor Clayton was first elected to Sevenoaks Town Council in 1987, and in 2024/25 he held the position of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Tony Clayton previously held the position of Sevenoaks Town Mayor in 1995/96.
The Mayor and his wife, Gill, have lived in Sevenoaks since 1983, after moving from Glasgow with their two children.
Councillor Clayton has also served as a District Councillor for much of the time he has worked as a Town Councillor. As the Vice Chair of Housing, he oversaw major investment in the quality and sustainability of social homes. As the Chair of Town Centre Development, he supervised the evolution of the Bligh’s Shopping Centre plan, and the commissioning of the successful developer.
The Mayor has spent most of his career working as an economist, specialising in performance improvement and marketing strategy, for companies in Kent, across the UK and internationally. He has also held roles in the Office for National Statistics, including Director of Economic Analysis, and worked as the Chief Economist of the UK Intellectual Property Office. Since retiring from the Civil Service, he has worked as a consultant on intellectual property economic projects.
Since he first held the position of Sevenoaks Town Mayor in 1995/96, Councillor Clayton has been working to promote cycling in Sevenoaks. He continues to cycle and is often seen around Sevenoaks on a locally made e-bike. The Mayor is particularly interested in green initiatives, including promoting tree planting, supporting sustainable energy, and improving recycling.