I grew up in a family where resilience was the only inheritance we had. My father arrived in London from Malaysia in the 1970s with little money and no support network. My grandmother, one of three young children brought over from Jamaica, spent nights sleeping rough on City streets before a kind stranger helped them get on their feet. Their grit taught me the value of hard work and gave me the drive to seize every opportunity they never had.

Education became my route forward. After an early interest in psychology, I juggled construction site work by day and hospitality shifts by night while studying carpentry and surveying. I eventually earned three degrees, including an MSc in Construction Law from King’s College London where I was recognised by the Society of Construction Law and published in academic journals housed nearby in Chancery Lane.

Breaking into the property and construction sectors after the 2008 financial crisis wasn’t easy. But over time, I built and led multiple companies in the City including EEDN Ltd at 60 Cannon Street in Vintry Ward and delivered complex real estate projects across the UK. I co-founded Constructing Science, the first technical guidance platform for life sciences real estate, and now advise organisations on innovation, inclusion and dispute resolution in the built environment.

In 2022, I was elected as a Common Councillor and became the City of London’s first Policy Lead for SMEs. I launched the Square Mile’s first SME Strategy, chaired major initiatives under the Lord Mayor’s Connect to Prosper programme and served on the City’s Finance, Investment and Audit & Risk Committees.

Alongside this, I’ve held national and international leadership roles: Trustee of Heart of the City, Advisory Member of the City of London Chamber of Commerce, Governor at Emanuel School, and participant in UK–Italy trade diplomacy. One of my proudest moments was being appointed on the Advisory Board of the European Cancer Community Foundation. Following my partner’s diagnosis last year, I’m joining the Foundation’s work with both purpose and perspective. In the Livery world, I was proud to become one of the youngest and first ethnic minority Court members of the Worshipful Company of Constructors, where I now serve as incoming Junior Warden.

Today, I feel firmly rooted in Vintry not just professionally but personally. I’ve walked its streets as a business owner, engaged its voters as a councillor and listened to its traders, commuters and residents. With your support, I want to continue giving back to this Ward that now feels like home.

Thanks to the values my parents instilled in me, I’ve lived a full life grounded in service, drive and community. I now ask for your trust to carry that same energy and purpose into the next chapter as your Alderman for Vintry Ward.