Preston's Vali Patel has become Lancashire County Council's first Asian Chairman.
Mr Patel took up the the honorary position and in a speech outlined his aspirations for the year which include creating cultural harmony across Lancashire's diverse communities.
Vali Patel, who joined the County Council in 1997, takes over the mantle from Coun Niki Penney.
Vali Patel, said, "During my term of office, I would like to give priority to matters of conflicts removal and community cohesion.
"Being Chair of this great county is very important to me. It is even greater, when I consider my background and origin - I remember as a young teenager walking miles to school in rural India.
"At that time, I had no idea that I would end up being in a country which is the most democratic in the world. I would never had thought that I would have the honour of becoming chair of the county council."
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