Councillor Geoff Wells was born in Brighton and educated in the city at Queen’s Park School. On leaving school, he undertook a five year apprenticeship in plumbing before deciding to set up and run his own plumbing business. During this time, he married his wife, Sally, and they now have a son, Lee, and two grand-daughters.

Councillor Wells was first elected in 1993 for Woodingdean Ward as a councillor for East Sussex County Council. When the towns of Brighton and Hove became a Unitary Authority, Councillor Wells stood for Woodingdean Ward and began his term with Brighton & Hove City Council in 1997. The Unitary became the City of Brighton & Hove in 2001, and Geoff is currently Member for Woodingdean Ward for Brighton & Hove City Council.

Prior to becoming Mayor, Councillor Wells sat on the Planning Committee as Deputy Chairman, and was a member of the Housing Management Consultative Committee, the Personnel Appeals Committee, the Adult Social Care and Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Environment and Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny Committee, and sat on the Environment and Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny Committee Ad-hoc Panel, which looked at the issue of 20 mph speed limits/zones for the city.

Whilst his council work keeps him very busy, Councillor Wells also enjoys researching the social history of Brighton & Hove, likes to watch most sports, and tries to include a little gardening when time permits.