Lezley Picton

Lezley was first elected to Shropshire Council in 2017 and served as Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Waste and Communications. In May 2021, she became Council Leader.

Born and raised on the South coast, Lezley has lived in Shropshire for the last 22 years and while loving Shropshire’s rural appeal, she also wants to address the challenges that come with this.

After spending two years as a stage actor, Lezley worked in various roles in arts and venue management in the UK and USA and was responsible for the opening of Shropshire’s main arts venue Theatre Severn in 2009 and headed the Council’s Arts and Heritage service from 2009 until 2012, when she retired.

As leader of the Council, Lezley is eager to listen to the people and organisations across the county about the part they and the council can play in building a healthy population and a healthy economy in Shropshire.

Outside of her Council work, Lezley edits her local village magazine and is often seen picking up litter (her pet hate) along country lanes as she walks.

Her love for theatre, film and music has not diminished and is matched by her passion of all things sports, especially football and cricket. She also loves nothing more than exploring Shropshire’s wonderful countryside with her dog, Puck.

Lezley is married and has a grown-up son.