Consort to the Mayor of Rochdale – Mr Ken Emsley
Consort to the Mayor of Rochdale 2025-2026
Ken was born in Southport and has lived in Miles Platting, Langley, Whitworth and Littleborough.

Consort to the Mayor of Rochdale – Mr Ken Emsley
He lost his mum soon after his birth and was brought up with his sister, Elaine, by his grandparents. Ken attended Saxon Nook Primary then Langley High School and was a member of the Boys’ Brigade and a Choirboy at All Saints and Martyrs Church, Langley.
On leaving school he became an apprentice joiner in Middleton having trained at Oldham College. He then worked at various local businesses in textiles: Vitafoam, Dexine Rubber and Proofings Technology and also as a taxi driver for June’s Taxis, Littleborough. Finally he worked as a production manager for Ferguson Polycom until his retirement in 2015.
Ken married his first wife Kathleen in 1969 and has 3 children. Widowed in 2000 he married Janet in 2008 and now has 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren to whom he is devoted. He is vice chair of Hollingworth Wine Society and enjoys travelling.
He has been involved in the community through volunteering at local events and is particularly busy at Christmas time. Ken is looking forward to meeting residents across the borough, participating in Rochdale’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture events and supporting Janet in her mayoral year.