Karen Grinsell
Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Karen Grinsell has led Solihull Council since May 2025 and, after the May 2026 election, heads a Conservative minority administration while holding the children and education portfolio.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Karen Grinsell
Asked three Reform councillors to step down
UK Local Elections 2026: Reform loses councillors after ITV clipsBackground
Karen Grinsell became the first woman to lead Solihull Council in May 2025, after six years as deputy leader. At that point she had spent 13 years as a councillor for Shirley East and had held Cabinet responsibility for adult social care and health, then children and education.
Following the May 2026 election, Grinsell continued as leader of a Conservative minority administration. She was re-elected for Shirley East and Sharmans Cross and retained the children and education portfolio. In October, she asked three Reform UK councillors in Castle Bromwich to step down. Their subsequent departures required the council to replace a deputy mayor and several committee and external-board posts.
How many Solihull councillors resigned after the ITV report?
What did Karen Grinsell ask Reform councillors to do?
Who is Karen Grinsell?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.