2017 GMC Community Activities

July – GMC CEO Prem Goyal attended the state banquet for His Majesty The King of Spain, Felipe VI (pictured with Prem) and Queen Letizia at the Guildhall. Prem was invited due to his role as a City Councilman and took Ayesha Azad, a local community champion, as his guest.  Te banquet was also attended by over 600 people including politicians, business leaders and diplomats from the UK and Spain. Prem found the event to be an extremely useful way to strength the UK-Spain bilateral relationship and emphasis that the UK can become a global trade hub post-Brexit.

July – GMC sponsored Three Faiths Forum’s (3FF) annual volunteer celebration event in the City of London. GMC CEO and 3FF Champion Prem Goyal attended the event, speaking to over 70 volunteers and 3FF staff about the importance of volunteering and presenting joint GMC & 3FF Volunteer Awards 2017 to the highest-achieving volunteers. Recapping the event, Prem said: “I was impressed and encouraged by the dedication and achievements of all of 3FF’s volunteers.”

July – GMC sponsored a special Eid celebration event for the people of Portsoken Ward in the City of London. 70 local business leaders, community leaders and members of the Portsoken community celebrated Eid together, which was held at the City of Paris restaurant. At the event, Ayesha Azad, a respected community leader in Portsoken, was awarded the GMC Life Achievement Award 2017 by GMC CEO Prem Goyal for her outstanding contributions to Portsoken Ward and the City of London.

July – GMC CEO Prem Goyal spent time with members of the Portsoken Ward community during a 3 Score Club trip to Boulogne in France. The whole party of people enjoyed touring the historic city and bonding over food and shopping. Prem said: “It was fantastic to meet more lovely people from the Portsoken Ward. It was truly an unforgettable day.”

June – GMC CEO & City Councilman Prem Goyal attended the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Governor of the Bank of England’s annual speech to bankers and merchants at Mansion House. Addressing the audience, Philip Hammond emphasised that job creation would be a priority for the new government and outlined the government’s plans to achieve economic growth. After the event, Prem said: “The City of London Corporation and I are going to support the government’s Brexit efforts and deliver the best deal for our businesses, workers and residents in the city.”

June – GMC CEO Prem Goyal visited Sir John Cass Foundation Primary School in the City of London. In addition to meeting pupils and teachers, Prem also presented a GMC Community Champion Award to Nikki Matthew, a parent who contributed invaluable help to the school’s sports clubs and projects. After the presentation, Prem said: “It was a pleasure to present Nicki with her award. She is very deserving of the accolade for the incalculable time and effort she has invested in Sir John Cass Foundation Primary.”

May – GMC recognised the achievements of Rina Begum, a community champion from Portsoken Ward in the City of London. At a special dinner with her peers from the ward, Rina was presented with a GMC Community Champion Award 2016 by GMC CEO Prem Goyal, for her frequent volunteering in the ward and for being an inspiration to young people. Afterwards, she was invited to tea at Guildhall to celebrate.

May – GMC invited 40 staff members, Trustees, Patrons and volunteers from the Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey to a special celebratory event in the City of London. Following a delicious dinner, Prem recognised the outstanding achievements of two of the centre’s volunteers, Jessica Grace and Vikki Razzell, with GMC Community Champion Awards 2016. Following the dinner, Prem said: “It was a pleasure for GMC to host the amazing people from the Salmon Youth Centre. All of them go above and beyond to support young people from all backgrounds in London.”

April – GMC CEO Prem Goyal made a visit to Ashdown Primary School in Sussex – his first visit as Patron. During morning assembly, Prem recognised 20 pupils on their outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievement by presenting each of them with a certificate of accomplishment. Recapping an enjoyable day, Prem said: “I was overwhelmed by the achievements and enterprise of Ashdown Primary School’s pupils. The school clearly has a fantastic set-up and a talented team of staff who clearly foster and nurture the talents of their pupils.”

April – Portsoken Common Councilman Henry Jones was awarded the GMC Life Achievement Award 2017 at the Portsoken Ward Civic Dinner and Reception at Watermen’s Hall. GMC CEO Prem Goyal presented Henry the award in front of prestigious company, Including Lord Mayor Andrew Parmley and Alderman of Portsoken Ward Sir Michael Bear. Prem said: “Henry is one of the most worthiest recipients of this award. It is truly admirable how he continues to make a positive difference in his community everyday despite having a heart attack last year.”

March – GMC CEO Prem Goyal was invited to give a keynote speech at the annual Treloar Talks at Glazier’s Hall. Over 100 business leaders and distinguished guests attended the event to raise money for Treloar, a charity providing educational, care and medical support to young people with physical disabilities. In his speech, Prem talked about his passionate support for charities, ensuring that his “giving back account” is bigger than his bank account.

March – GMC CEO Prem Goyal was elected as a Common Councilman in Bishopsgate Ward of the City of London. Prem was elected as part of the Better Bishopsgate slate, on a platform of making the City of London Corporation more transparent and listening to both businesses and residents. Upon being elected, Prem said: “Now that I have been elected, I pledge to work with all 100 of my councilman colleagues to deliver sustainable solutions on the problems we face in the City. Together we can continue to ensure that the City continues to be the best place to live, work and do business in.”

March – GMC CEO Prem Goyal and Business Manager Aaron D’Souza were invited to observe the unveiling of Orbis’s new flying eye hospital at Stansted Airport. The eye hospital contains state of the art technology and is part of Orbis’ ‘Operation Sight’ campaign to train over 100,000 eye care professionals worldwide and improve eye-care practices at 30 hospitals in countries in Asia and Africa. Prem said: “I was blown away by the state of the art technology in the flying eye hospital and the progress of Orbis in battling vision ailments worldwide in equal measure.”

February – Bermondsey’s Carragher Academy won an incredible 17 championships at the Irish Dancing London Open, which they hosted on 25 February at Bacon’s College. Carragher Academy won all trophies in solo dance categories, with the academy’s talented dancers achieving many more podium finishes across all categories. Prem Goyal, GMC CEO and Patron of Carragher Academy, said: “I am pleased to hear about the success of the London Open. The dancer’s continued success makes me incredibly proud to be Patron,”

February – Longtime Portsoken community champion Ivan Kingsley was presented with the GMC Life Achievement Award by GMC CEO Prem Goyal. Ivan and his late wife Irene were indispensable in reviving the fortunes of the ward club and were also heavily involved with the Middlesex Street Estate Residents Association, working tirelessly to plan Summer and Christmas parties and charitably buy and wrap Christmas presents for children in the ward. Nick Cressey, Master of Portsoken Ward Club, warmly congratulated Ivan on his achievement and thanked Prem for this deserved award for Ivan.

January – GMC’s Business Manager James King became a Freeman of the City of London at a ceremony at Guildhall. Upon receiving the freemanship, James said: “It is such an incredible honour to follow in the footsteps of some of this country’s most eminent leaders across all walks of life by becoming a Freeman. It is a proud moment for me and I promise to abide by the rich traditions of the City and uphold them wherever possible.”

January – GMC sponsored a table for 10 at the Worshipful Company of Plumbers Charity Luncheon at Skinners’ Hall. GMC CEO Prem Goyal, who is a Liveryman of the Plumbers’ Company, attended the event alongside his nine distinguished  guests, including Former Mayor of Southwark Althea Smith and Robert Woodthorpe-Browne MBE, Master of the Worshipful Company of World Traders. The charity luncheon was graced by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who was awarded the title of Honorary Liveryman at the event.

January – GMC CEO Prem Goyal supported and attended the Boxing4Life staff and trustee social in East London. At the event, Prem congratulated many of the charity’s dedicated volunteers on the service they provide to 8-18 years olds in the community. Boxing4Life teaches young people non-contact boxing to develop their social and emotional skills. Thanks to Aamir Akram, Managing Director of Deutsche Bank, for facilitating the event and helping raise about £700 for Boxing4Life.