North Bermondsey

Cllr Rachel Bentley

Rachel has lived in Bermondsey for over ten years. Since settling here, she’s actively participated in various charitable projects including providing emergency housing to young people, planting trees and helping to deliver food during the Covid pandemic. She is also a trustee of two charities that support children and young people in Southwark with their education and training.

Rachel spent 16 years overseas, living and working in Japan, the USA and South Africa. In her professional work, she’s advised governments, families, businesses and charities on many matters, including job creation, tax and land use.

She likes to stay fit and can be found pretty much every Saturday morning at the Southwark Parkrun cheering others on!

In May 2022,  Rachel was elected as a councillor for North Bermondsey and serves as the Deputy Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrat Council Group. She stood for Parliament in the 2024 General Election. She is committed to restoring trust and integrity in public life.

Rachel has campaigned on many issues including support for small businesses, period poverty and electoral reform. She brought together groups from multiple London boroughs to call for better management of the River Thames, led on efforts to promote better stewardship of our parks and campaigning against the blight of litter and fly-tipping across our estates and public spaces.

Contact Rachel: rachel.bentley@southwark.gov.uk

Francesco Guerrieri

Francesco has lived in Bermondsey Spa since 2010 and helps lead local resident organising, including securing Right To Manage for his block. He is standing to tackle poor housing conditions, unfair service charges and landlords who refuse to be held accountable. Francesco is standing for the council in May 2026.  

Patrickson Obanya 

Patrickson has lived in Bermondsey for 30 years and has served the community as a school governor and as Chairman of St Gertrude Catholic Church. He is standing for the council in May 2026 because of his belief in equity and social justice for local people.  

Cllr Hamish McCallum

Hamish is retiring from Southwark Council in May 2026.

Hamish, who lives on Chambers Street in Bermondsey, has been a local councillor for seven years. During that time he has fought hard for local residents to improve our local environment, represent local concerns in the planning system and to roll out the cycle hire scheme bikes to Bermondsey.

He is also a trustee of the Butlers Wharf Riverside Trust, seeking to improve the riverside area in Shad Thames.

In his day job, Hamish is a lawyer who used to be part of the team representing victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, and now works mostly in legal aid.

Contact Hamish: hamish.mccallum@southwark.gov.uk

Cllr Emily Tester

Emily is retiring from Southwark Council in May 2026.

Emily made Bermondsey her home over three years ago, and now lives in the Pynfolds Estate as a private renter.

She joined the Liberal Democrats after a talk from Simon Hughes at her sixth form and was elected as a town councillor in her hometown in Sussex. Whilst she served as a councillor, she helped fight Conservative plans to close a local leisure centre.

Emily now works for a major London housing association, consulting residents on estate regeneration.

Contact Emily: emily.tester@southwark.gov.uk