By Oscar Woods 
When people search for salma shah husband andrew smith, they’re looking to understand a couple who’ve made quiet but significant marks on British public life. Salma Shah, the political commentator regularly seen on BBC Politics Live and Good Morning Britain, is married to Andrew Smith, who served as Lord Mayor of Westminster from 2021 to 2022.
Their partnership represents a modern blend of media expertise, civic service, and strategic communications. While many know Shah from her television appearances, fewer understand how her marriage connects two distinct but complementary spheres of British public life.
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Who is Andrew Smith?
Andrew Smith entered his role as the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster in September 2021, taking office at the first in-person mayor making ceremony since the pandemic. The position placed him at the center of civic duties in one of London’s most historic boroughs.
First elected as a Westminster City Councillor for Lancaster Gate in 2008, Smith had already built substantial experience in local government. He previously served as Cabinet Member for Housing and chaired the Communities, Regeneration and Housing Policy and Scrutiny Committee. His knowledge of Westminster politics made him well prepared for the ceremonial and representative duties that came with the lord mayoralty.
Beyond civic service, Smith works in communications and public affairs. He’s held senior positions at firms including Weber Shandwick and Kreab, advising clients on strategic communication and government relations. This professional background in communications mirrors the expertise Shah has developed in her own career.
During his mayoral term, Smith chose Westminster Befriend a Family as his beneficiary charity. The organization supports vulnerable families across Westminster through mentoring and advice, helping them overcome challenges like poverty, isolation, and risk of family breakdown.
Salma Shah’s Career Path
Born in July 1984 to immigrant parents from Pakistan and India, Shah studied journalism with politics at the University of Salford. Her career began at the BBC, where she produced the flagship Today programme on Radio 4 from 2014. Working on one of Britain’s most influential news programs taught her how political narratives are constructed and what actually matters to audiences.
In 2014, Shah made the transition from journalism to government. She worked as a special adviser across multiple departments, including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Her most prominent government role came in 2018 when she became special adviser to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, a position she held for five years spanning four different departments. In this capacity, Shah oversaw strategy and communications on sensitive issues including immigration, security, and social policy.
After leaving government in 2019, Shah founded Kraken Strategy Limited, her own consultancy focused on communications and public affairs. She later joined Portland Communications in a senior advisory role before becoming a non-executive director at Mitie in 2022. Her corporate board work earned recognition when she won the Sunday Times Non-Executive Director to Watch award in 2024.
Public Presence and Media Work
Shah maintained her media presence throughout her government and business careers. She writes columns for The Independent and provides political commentary across BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and The Guardian. Her regular appearances on programs like Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, and BBC Politics Live have made her a recognizable voice in British political discussion.
In October 2025, Shah appeared as a guest on Have I Got News For You, the long-running satirical panel show. The appearance demonstrated her ability to balance serious policy expertise with the quick wit the program demands.
Shah is also a Policy Fellow alumnus of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University and was appointed to their Advisory Council in June 2025. She serves as a Trustee of the think tank Policy Exchange, extending her influence in shaping policy discussions beyond her media appearances.
Their Partnership
The relationship between salma shah husband andrew smith reflects mutual support between two professionals committed to public service. While Smith managed ceremonial duties and civic functions during his mayoral year, Shah continued expanding her presence in political and media circles.
The couple appeared together at significant events during Smith’s tenure, including the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2022. Stock photo agencies documented their attendance, with captions identifying Shah as the wife of the Lord Mayor. These public appearances showed a partnership that could balance the demands of civic ceremony with ongoing professional commitments.
Both maintain relatively private personal lives despite their public roles. Sources indicate they have two children, though the couple has chosen to keep family details largely out of public discussion. This approach reflects a deliberate choice to maintain boundaries between professional visibility and family privacy.
Distinct but Complementary Careers
What makes their partnership noteworthy is how two separate professional identities coexist. Smith’s background in local government and communications complements Shah’s trajectory through journalism, government advising, and corporate board work. Neither defines themselves primarily through their marriage, yet their shared understanding of communications and public service creates natural common ground.
Smith’s civic leadership during the pandemic recovery period required balancing tradition with contemporary challenges. His work emphasized community engagement and promoting Westminster as a hub of business, culture, and history. Meanwhile, Shah’s expertise in navigating political narratives and media strategy developed through distinctly different channels.
The couple represents what some observers call a modern political partnership. Both work in fields connected to governance and public affairs. Both understand the intersection of politics, media, and public perception. Yet they’ve built separate professional reputations rather than functioning as a single unit.
Looking Forward
Smith concluded his mayoral term in 2022 and returned to his work in public affairs and communications. Shah continues her multi-faceted career combining media commentary, corporate board work, strategic consultancy, and policy engagement.
The story of salma shah husband andrew smith isn’t about celebrity or prominence for its own sake. Instead, it reflects two professionals who’ve built careers around public service, strategic communications, and civic engagement. Their partnership shows how people can maintain distinct professional identities while supporting each other’s work in complementary fields.
As Shah continues her regular television appearances and board work, and Smith applies his experience in local government and communications, they remain examples of how British public life can accommodate professionals who value both meaningful work and personal privacy. The interest in their partnership likely stems from recognizing two people who’ve chosen substance over spectacle while still making genuine contributions to public discourse and civic life.