Councillor Mattu passed away on 23 February 2018 after battling his illness for a lengthy time. He was the 159th Mayor of Wolverhampton, elected on 17 May 2017 for the 2017-18 municipal year.

During his time as the Mayor of Wolverhampton he worked hard to raise money for his chosen charities:

•Street Pastors
•Sickle Cell Care
•Interfaith
•Alzheimer's Society
•Acorns
•Central Youth Theatre

Originally born in Punjab, North India, Councillor Mattu came to live in the City of Wolverhampton at the age of nine. Educated at Graiseley School, Wulfrun College and Wednesbury College of Commerce and Technology, he went on to study law at Wolverhampton University whist working as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau. He also studied for a certificate in Management and a Diploma in Leadership and Management at Warwick University.

He served as a councillor for Graiseley Ward for nearly 18 years and, as well as Mayor, held several other key positions on the City of Wolverhampton Council.

Councillor Mattu also held significant roles on outside bodies representing the council, including the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, West Midlands Police and Crime Panel, West Midlands Equality and Diversity Board, West Midlands LGA, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and its Central Region's Vice-Chairman.

As a local ward councillor, he served as a vice chair of the St Chad’s Association and Graiseley School Governing Body for 22 years, including 12 years as the chair of governors. He was shortlisted for a national award for his contribution to the development of the city’s successful community hubs.

Elias had a great passion for sports. Over the years, he participated in hockey, cricket, boxing and martial arts. He also enjoyed power-lifting, becoming a regional coach and referee – and in the late 1980s he opened his own club where he trained five British power-lifting champions and one European champion.