The story of Councillor Faisal Rana, Mayor of Rochdale, is one of determination, service and a strong commitment to the community.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Faisal Rana came to the UK in November 1996. His journey began with an unexpected challenge. Shortly before leaving Pakistan, he had a bicycle accident in Karachi and broke his collarbone, arriving in the UK with his arm in a sling.
At the time, he could never have imagined that his new life in the UK would eventually lead him to becoming Mayor of Rochdale.
From the Pakistan Navy to Business
Before coming to the UK, Faisal Rana served as a commissioned officer in the Pakistan Navy. He studied mechanical engineering at NED University in Karachi before joining the Navy’s engineering branch.
His military career also took him to France, where he undertook specialist training in warship construction and gained experience working on a minehunter.
The discipline and organisation he learned during his military service have remained important throughout his life. He believes the Navy taught him the value of punctuality, preparation, teamwork and doing things in a structured way.
When he arrived in Rochdale, however, finding employment proved difficult. Despite having engineering qualifications and military experience, he discovered that UK employers often wanted local experience and qualifications.
He took on several jobs while establishing himself, including work at Fisher Foods and Turner Brothers.
After around two years, he secured a position with Shell UK. This developed into a successful business career lasting around 21 years, including management responsibilities and overseeing a growing number of petrol stations.
An Unexpected Journey into Politics
Politics was never part of Faisal Rana’s original plans.
A friend who was involved in the Labour Party regularly encouraged him to become involved. Eventually, around 2015, he decided to join and gradually became active in local politics.
His involvement eventually led to him becoming a councillor and, in May 2026, taking on the role of Mayor of Rochdale.
His journey into public service reflects a progression from military service and business into a wider commitment to the local community.
Bringing Rochdale’s Communities Together
One of Faisal Rana’s central messages as Mayor is community unity.
He believes Rochdale’s diversity is one of its strengths. People come from different cultures, faiths, religions and backgrounds, but he sees them as part of one Rochdale community.
He also recognises the important role played by voluntary organisations and community groups in keeping people connected.
For young people in particular, he encourages greater involvement in volunteering. He believes the voluntary sector provides services and support that government alone cannot provide and that young people have an important role to play in the future of their communities.
Supporting Five Charities
During his mayoral year, Faisal Rana is supporting five charities, each with a personal or meaningful connection.
Springhill Hospice is supported because of the important work it carries out in Rochdale and because of his family’s previous connection with the hospice.
The Christie has a particularly personal significance because Faisal Rana’s brother received cancer treatment there. His experiences of visiting the hospital have encouraged him to support its work.
SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, also has a deeply personal connection to his family following the loss of his daughter’s child at 24 weeks. He was particularly touched by the charity’s memory box scheme and hopes fundraising can help provide support to other families facing similar circumstances.
Veterans are another important cause because of his own years of service in the Pakistan Navy. He has a strong personal connection with those who have served.
The fifth charity, Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, supports women affected by domestic abuse. Faisal Rana became aware of the importance of this work through cases encountered during his time as a councillor.
Throughout his mayoral year, he hopes to raise as much money as possible for these five charities.
Promoting Rochdale
Since becoming Mayor, Faisal Rana has been visiting schools, charities, businesses and community organisations across Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and surrounding areas.
He has also welcomed international representatives, including Consuls General from China, Spain and Italy, with the aim of showcasing Rochdale and exploring opportunities involving business, education, investment and culture.
He believes the Mayor has an important role in promoting the borough and bringing people together.
He has also made a point of recognising local people who have demonstrated bravery or made a difference to others, presenting medals and certificates to community heroes and volunteers.
A Practical Approach to Public Service
Faisal Rana’s long career in business has influenced the way he approaches public service.
He believes in careful financial management, maintaining standards and ensuring that budgets are respected.
Having spent many years managing staff and business operations, he understands the importance of planning and controlling expenditure. He believes similar principles should apply to public service, particularly when dealing with money raised from taxpayers.
Life Outside the Mayor’s Role
Away from his mayoral and councillor responsibilities, Faisal Rana enjoys badminton, which he tries to play several times a week.
He is also a private pilot and enjoys flying, although he acknowledges that flying requires considerable preparation and planning.
Walking is another activity he enjoys, while sometimes the simplest form of relaxation is simply being at home with a cup of tea.
A Legacy of Community and Service
Although he was only three months into his mayoral year at the time of the interview, Faisal Rana already had a clear idea of what he hoped people would remember.
For him, the most important things are the work carried out for his five charities and the message that Rochdale is one community.
His journey from Lahore to Rochdale, from the Pakistan Navy to business and then into public service, has taken him through several very different chapters of life.
Today, as Mayor of Rochdale, his focus is on supporting good causes, encouraging volunteering, promoting the borough and bringing its diverse communities together.
His message is straightforward: Rochdale may be home to many different cultures, faiths and backgrounds, but together they form one community.
