A new appointment was created from 2002 following moves made by a Mansfield-based businessman to change the governance of Mansfield after a public referendum.
The referendum was the culmination of a campaign led by local businessman Stewart Rickersey to have a directly elected mayor for the district.
Much was said of the first Executive Mayor, but during his time in office, Mansfield struggled with local land development and many projects across the region faltered.
The issue was raised again after his prominent role in the homecoming ceremony for swimmer Rebecca Adlington after her Gold Medal successes at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
[31][32][33] In late March Mansfield Labour group selected a third candidate in former teacher and civil engineer Andy Abrahams, following the suspension of Cllr Sean McCallum and resignation of Paul Bradshaw.
[37][38] Both the Conservative and Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates' campaigns included potentially seeking to abolish the position of executive mayor, subject to a successful public referendum.