Richard Smart is a dedicated public servant with more than fifteen years of experience in politics and local government. Richard has served as a Councillor for Newtownards since 2014 and was honoured to serve as Mayor of Ards and North Down in 2018–2019. Alongside his council role, Richard has worked extensively within the Northern Ireland Assembly, including as a Researcher and Constituency Manager. He is passionate about community development, regeneration, and preserving local heritage, with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for the people he represents.