Tributes are being paid following the death of former Nottingham City Councillor and Honorary Alderman Malcolm Wood, who has died at the age of 79.
Malcolm was one of Nottingham’s longest-serving councillors, representing the people of Bilborough and the wider city for more than 40 years between 1978 and 2019.
Born in St Ann’s and a resident of Bilborough for almost his entire life, Malcolm dedicated decades to public service and became one of the city’s best-known and most respected political figures.
During his 41 years on Nottingham City Council, Malcolm served in a number of senior civic and leadership roles, including Deputy Lord Mayor in 1991, before becoming Lord Mayor of Nottingham in 1992.
He chaired and served on numerous council committees throughout his career, including Housing, Overview and Scrutiny, Leisure Services, Education, and Planning, where he became known for his outspoken style, sharp political judgement, and unwavering advocacy for local residents.
Malcolm was also a passionate ambassador for Nottingham on the international stage. Through his work with Eurocities, including serving as Chair of the Eurocities Culture Forum, he represented Nottingham across Europe and beyond, championing the role of culture in improving quality of life and helping cities to prosper.
Closer to home, Malcolm was instrumental in securing improvements for Bilborough, including the development of the Bracebridge Drive Medical Centre, which colleagues said would never have happened without his vision and determination.
He was also a long-standing supporter of some of Nottingham’s best-known institutions, serving as Chair of the National Ice Centre and becoming a respected member of the Nottingham Racecourse and Jockey Club community.
As Chair of Nottingham in Bloom, Malcolm championed cleaner, greener neighbourhoods and believed strongly in the power of community pride to transform local areas.
Leader of Nottingham City Council, Cllr Neghat Khan, said:
“Malcolm Wood was truly one of a kind. He dedicated more than four decades of his life to serving the people of Nottingham and was fiercely proud of both Bilborough and our city.
“He was respected across political lines for his commitment to residents, his deep knowledge of Nottingham, and his tireless work on behalf of the city both at home and abroad.
“Malcolm made an enormous contribution to Nottingham, none more so than his longstanding commitment to Nottingham in Bloom, which inspired communities across the city to follow a proud tradition of caring for our green spaces, a legacy which can be felt to this day.”
Malcolm was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman in recognition of his exceptional and dedicated service to Nottingham following his retirement from the council in 2019.
A celebration of Malcolm’s life will be held at the Council House. For further details, please contact civic.office@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
