Cllr David Lewis has been elected leader of the Conservative group and will be leader of the Opposition at the new East Surrey Council.
David represents Cobham & Oxshott South, along with fellow Conservative Alan Parker CBE, after both won substantial majorities over the Liberal Democrats on 7th May.
East Surrey Council has 72 seats - 40 are held by the Liberal Democrats, with 10 Conservatives, 9 independent/RAs, 8 Greens, and 5 Reform UK.
David said: "I am honoured to have been elected as Group Leader and Leader of the Opposition. We will work constructively with the Lib Dem Administration to ensure that the new Council is established on firm foundations and is set up for success.
"At the same time, we will not be afraid to hold the Lib Dems to account. In my continuing role as Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources at Surrey County Council, I have pledged to work with the new East Surrey team as the most important thing, post election, is for the new Council to be ready to deliver good quality services when it takes over."
Day to day services will continue to be provided by the existing borough councils (like Runnymede and Elmbridge) and Surrey County Council until vesting day on 1st April 2027 when the new East and West Surrey councils become sovereign and the old councils disappear.
David's deputy leader at East Surrey will be Cllr James King, who represents Banstead, Woodmansterne and Chipstead ward. And at West Surrey Council, Cllr Jane Austin and Cllr Jonathan Hulley have been appointed leader and deputy leader of the Conservative group.