Craig Simmons
| Craig Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Image | 
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| Born | October 1959 |
| Died | |
| Nationality | |
| Residence | Oxford |
| Occupation | Sustainability consultant, politician |
| Known for | Lord Mayor of Oxford (2019–2020), Jewish Greens activist |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Craig Simmons (born October 1959) is a British Green Party of England and Wales activist, former councillor and sustainability consultant based in Oxford. He served as Lord Mayor of Oxford in 2019/20 and has been a prominent member of Jewish Greens.[1][2]
Background
Family and personal life
Craig Simmons has lived at the same Oxford address as Elise Benjamin (former Lord Mayor of Oxford 2011/12 and Lady Mayoress during his term) since at least 2002, as recorded on the electoral roll. They have been long-term partners and frequently appear together at official civic and community events.[3][4]
Green Party roles
Craig Simmons was a Green Party city councillor in Oxford from 2010 to 2022. He served as Leader of the Green Group on Oxford City Council and was elected Lord Mayor for 2019/20.[5]
Involvement in synagogues and Yachad
Craig Simmons has been a long-standing member and co-Chair (until May 2025[6]) of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, a constituent synagogue of Liberal Judaism in south-west London, which since 2025 has merged into the Movement for Progressive Judaism.[7][8] In that capacity he has signed public letters and statements organised by Yachad, a progressive pro-Israel Jewish organisation that supports a two-state solution and criticises aspects of Israeli government policy while affirming Jewish self-determination.[9] Neither Kingston Liberal Synagogue nor Yachad is anti-Zionist; both operate within the mainstream progressive Zionist tradition of Liberal Judaism and the new Movement for Progressive Judaism.
Directorships
| Company name | Company number | Role | Appointment date | Cessation date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREEN & GREY ASSOCIATES LTD | 17201962 | Director | 6 May 2026 | — | Active |
| SIMMONS SUSTAINABILITY LIMITED | 08682456 | Director | 9 September 2013 | (company dissolved) | Resigned |
| MARINE FUTURES LTD | 15902133 | Director | 16 August 2024 | 16 August 2024 | Resigned |
| ANTHESIS (UK) LIMITED | 03409491 | Director | 25 July 1997 | 12 September 2013 | Resigned |
| EAST OXFORD ACTION | 04865022 | Director | 8 September 2005 | 25 September 2008 | Resigned |
| EAST OXFORD ACTION | 04865022 | Director | 13 August 2003 | 30 September 2004 | Resigned |
Notes
- ↑ Bright Green, author page for Craig Simmons, https://bright-green.org/author/craig-simmons/
- ↑ Oxford Mail, reports on Craig Simmons as Lord Mayor, 2019–2020: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17643559.taking-the-chains-of-office-oxford-has-its-first-zero-carbon-lord-mayor/
- ↑ Oxford City Council Facebook posts referring to “Lord Mayor Councillor Craig Simmons and Lady Mayoress Elise Benjamin”, 2020 onward: https://www.facebook.com/OxfordCityCouncil/posts/the-lord-mayor-of-oxford-councillor-craig-simmons-and-lady-mayoress-elise-benjam/3057275327653518/
- ↑ Oxford History, list of Lord Mayors noting Simmons and Benjamin as a couple, https://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/mayors/misc/statistics.html
- ↑ Association of Green Councillors, "New Green Mayor of Oxford announced", February 2019, https://agc.greenparty.org.uk/2019/02/02/new-green-mayor-of-oxford-announced/
- ↑ KINGSTON LIBERAL SYNAGOGUE TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Charity No: 270792 .
- ↑ Kingston Liberal Synagogue, "Looking forward to 5782 – A chat with our Chair, Craig Simmons, and Rabbi René Pfertzel", https://klsonline.org/looking-forward-to-5782/
- ↑ Liberal Judaism, "Liberal Judaism Chair’s Awards winners 2021", 6 May 2021, https://www.liberaljudaism.org/2021/05/liberal-judaism-chairs-awards-winners-2021/
- ↑ Yachad, "Keir Starmer letter – stop Trump’s Gaza plan", signed by Craig Simmons, co-Chair, Kingston Liberal Synagogue, 16 September 2025, https://yachad.org.uk/keir-starmer-letter-stop-trumps-gaza-plan/