Councillor Rifaqat Zarait was born in Slough and raised in Chalvey, the ward he is now proud to represent as a councillor. Having grown up in the area, Rifaqat has a strong personal connection to the community and understands many of the issues residents face because Chalvey has always been home.
Rifaqat comes from a family with a strong connection to public service. He is the son of Raja Mohammed Zarait, who served as Mayor of Slough from 2008 to 2009. From an early age, Rifaqat saw first-hand the importance of serving the local community and supporting the people of Slough.
Before becoming a councillor, Rifaqat built a career in aviation at Heathrow, where he has more than 20 years of experience in operational and management roles. His career has given him valuable experience in leadership, responsibility, teamwork and working with people from many different backgrounds.
Rifaqat was elected as a councillor for Chalvey Ward in 2023. From day one, he has been committed to listening to residents and taking action on the issues that matter most to them.
One of his key priorities has been tackling anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns in Chalvey. He has held several meetings with Slough Borough Council officers and Thames Valley Police, raising residents’ concerns and pushing for practical action to address ongoing issues. He believes residents deserve to feel safe in their own streets and that concerns should be listened to and followed up properly.
Rifaqat has also worked hard on a wide range of local issues, including parking, highways, road safety, housing, environmental concerns and local services. He regularly raises residents’ concerns with the Council and relevant agencies because he believes that local people deserve to have their voices heard.
In May 2026, Rifaqat was honoured to be elected Mayor of Slough for 2026 to 2027. He is proud to represent the whole borough and to meet residents, community groups, charities, businesses and organisations across Slough.
Family and education are also very important to Rifaqat. He is a proud father of a son and daughter, both of whom are currently being educated in Slough. This gives him a personal understanding of the importance of good schools, opportunities for young people and making Slough a place where families can live, work and build their future.
Rifaqat believes that being a councillor is about much more than attending council meetings. It is about being visible in the community, listening to residents, understanding their concerns and working hard to get things done.
Having been born in Slough, raised in Chalvey and now representing the ward he grew up in, Rifaqat is proud to give back to the community that has played such an important part in his life.
“Chalvey is my home. I grew up here, my family has served this community, and I am proud to now serve the people of the ward myself. I will always do my best to listen, represent residents and make a positive difference.”