City Matters Edition 060
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PREM GOYAL OBE JP<br />
PRIORITISING PORTSOKEN<br />
ROCK ’EM SOCK ’EM<br />
LEFT IT LATE?<br />
Find out how sock brand<br />
ChattyFeet has a personality<br />
all its own, and why what’s<br />
hidden in your shoes can<br />
make quite a statement Page 11<br />
Time may be ticking away<br />
but there are plenty of venues<br />
in and around the <strong>City</strong><br />
still taking bookings for<br />
Christmas parties Pages 14&15<br />
CITY MATTERS<br />
Councillor regretting<br />
his right Goyal error<br />
15 - 21 November 2017 The <strong>City</strong> of London’s FREE hyperlocal with 30,000 WEEKLY READERS <strong>Edition</strong> 057<br />
‘SINCERE APOLOGY’ AFTER MEMBER ADMITS SPENDING PUBLIC FUNDS<br />
A COMMON Councillor has been forced to<br />
apologise after using public funds to print off<br />
election leaflets promoting his candidacy.<br />
Bishopsgate Ward representative Prem Goyal<br />
said he “sincerely regrets” not undertaking training<br />
on members’ code of conduct prior to using the<br />
Corporation’s printing facilities ahead of his<br />
joining the race to become the next Alderman of<br />
Portsoken.<br />
Mr Goyal’s case was dragged in front of the<br />
standards sub-committee on Monday after a<br />
complaint was lodged by Sir Michael Bear, the<br />
outgoing Portsoken Alderman – a pos that will be<br />
contested in December.<br />
Breached<br />
In an email exchange seen by <strong>City</strong> <strong>Matters</strong>, Mr<br />
Goyal admits to printing an estimated 1,000 leaflets<br />
as he “did not have a fast printer” adding that he<br />
“didn’ think it would be an issue”.<br />
He went on to explain that he did not plan to use<br />
the local authority’s equipment during the election<br />
expense-regulated campaign period that began<br />
on 14 November, and said that if he was found to<br />
have breached regulations then he would “happily”<br />
reimburse the <strong>City</strong> for costs incurred.<br />
When contacted by comptroller and <strong>City</strong> solicitor<br />
Michael Cogher, Mr Goyal was charged with<br />
acting against the public’s interest and utilising<br />
Corporation resources for political purposes.<br />
In his response, Mr Goyal said: “This situation<br />
Turn to Page 3<br />
Bowman’s bash hits target<br />
CHARLES BOWMAN was announced as<br />
the Lord Mayor of the <strong>City</strong> of London amidst<br />
spectacular scenes on Saturday.<br />
The 690th person to take the post was greeted<br />
with rapturous applause as he weaved through<br />
the Square Mile as part of Dominic Reid’s lavish<br />
pageant – and <strong>City</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> joined the fun.<br />
Some 7,000 people, 200 horses and 70<br />
decorated floats comprised the parade, which<br />
Mr Bowman (right) hopes will kickstart a<br />
fruitful year in office that will centre on a<br />
‘Business of Trust’ campaign.<br />
“It is entirely righ tha the show brings<br />
together so many diverse groups and communities<br />
from London and the UK, including hundreds<br />
of young people who love taking<br />
part,” he said.<br />
“Working with businesses,<br />
some of whom are taking part,<br />
and their communities,<br />
to promote integrity and<br />
create a positive effect<br />
on society will be at<br />
the heart of my<br />
mayoralty.”<br />
Picture Special Page 4<br />
Behind-the-scenes<br />
tour of Museum of<br />
London’s new West<br />
Smithfield site PAGE 2<br />
Conservation area<br />
bid for residential<br />
estates reaches public<br />
consultation PAGE 3<br />
Just go with it! The<br />
company making<br />
headway on the<br />
improv scene PAGE 9<br />
My name is Prem Goyal, an elected <strong>City</strong> Councilman and CEO of Global<br />
Markets Consultants (GMC), a consulting firm in the <strong>City</strong>.<br />
I am writing to you as I’m standing as an Aldermanic candidate for Portsoken.<br />
I love the Portsoken community where my friends, staff and I live and work:<br />
I’ve lived and worked in the Portsoken area for 18 years. I have loyally<br />
supported local businesses, including restaurants, barbers, shops and gym,<br />
for 18 years. To introduce myself further, I’ve included my journey, CV and involvement in Portsoken<br />
and in the <strong>City</strong>. You can find out more by visiting: www.globalmarketsconsultants.com/prem-goyal<br />
Portsoken is my home. I’ve walked on Minories, Mansell Street and Middlesex Street several times<br />
every day for 18 years and made lifelong friendships with local business owners and residents on both<br />
estates. I will put your interests first every day as your Alderman. I will prioritise Portsoken.<br />
I’d love to introduce myself to you and ensure that I prioritise your ideas and concerns in my<br />
manifesto. Please contact me at 07719035409 or prem.goyal@cityoflondon.gov.uk<br />
Prem Goyal OBE JP<br />
_____________________________________________________________________________<br />
My Journey<br />
My story began in Delhi, India, where I grew up the youngest of 11 children. During my summers, I<br />
would stay at my sister’s house; her place had no bathroom, no running water and one electric light. I<br />
remember collecting five buckets of buffalo dung every day, which I’d shape into pancakes, slap on the<br />
wall to dry and use for fuel. Back then I was the local dung collector champion!<br />
Later, having graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology near Kolkata, West Bengal, with a<br />
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, I was lucky to go to New York on a teaching scholarship. But my<br />
excitement at flying for the first time was short lived. I only had $20 to get me through my first seven<br />
days! Nonetheless, having scraped by on minimum wage by cutting grass, I worked hard and graduated<br />
with a Master’s degree in Engineering. I then got a job as a professional transport engineer.<br />
After saving $50,000 over six years, I can’t tell you how happy I was when I was able to pursue my next<br />
dream of completing an MBA from UCLA. After graduation, I worked 80 hours a week in New York,<br />
Tokyo and Zurich and gained the best international work experience from multinational institutions.<br />
Having lived in three continents, I settled in the <strong>City</strong> of London in an apartment on Minories and<br />
rediscovered my love for curry, cricket and Tower Bridge! In 2002, I launched my consulting company,<br />
GMC, with offices first on Liverpool Street, then on Houndsditch, then in Devonshire Square and now<br />
near Tower/ DLR station. I have created hundreds of jobs and internships since then. I’m proud that<br />
the UK has recognised my contributions, including receiving an OBE from HRH Prince Charles in 2013.<br />
Now retired, I serve as a magistrate and share my business acumen with SMEs and charities which<br />
promote diversity, help young people find jobs and care for the elderly. I also participate, support and<br />
contribute to community events in Portsoken, the <strong>City</strong> and Tower Hamlets. I want to continue to use<br />
my talent, time and savings to give back to Portsoken what it has given me. I love Portsoken.