City Matters Edition 034

CITYMATTERS.LONDON 24 - 30 May 2017 | Page 3
News Matters
IBRAHIM OUT TO DISMANTLE ‘ANTI BUSINESS’ STIGMA
Labour’s Dogus
means business
AS the founder of the British Kebab
Awards, a beer brand innovator, and South
Bank restaurant owner, Labour’s Ibrahim
Dogus is out to prove his party isn’t as
anti-business as people think, writes
Anahita Hossein-Pour.
An employer of over 60 people whose fifth
annual kebab award was hosted by Radio
1 DJs Scott Mills and Chris Stark – and
endorsed by the prime minister herself –
Mr Dogus is running a pro-commerce and
society campaign and says he is the “fresh
young blood” to deliver it.
“I believe to achieve social justice we need
prosperity and growth, and that means
successful businesses,” he said.
Advantageous
“What’s more, businesses are run by
people who are part of society and affected
by its highs and lows, just like everyone
else.”
The Remain voter is concerned with the
uncertainty that leaving the European Union
will bring for business, and pledges to go
after the most advantageous deal on Brexit
if he’s successful in his first bid to become a
member of parliament.
Mr Dogus joined Labour in his teens after
his family moved to the UK as refugees from
Turkey, and has been campaigning for the
party since Tony Blair’s landslide victory
in 1997. The Labour candidate also made
headlines following the Westminster attack
as the restaurant owner who fed emergency
service personnel on the scene for free from
his nearby eatery.
“I saw first-hand the valiant efforts of our
first responders,” he said.
“I have been consistently impressed by the
work of the mayor as well, and I saw how
Londoners just got on with what needed
doing, showing admirable calm under
pressure.”
Fifteen years ago Mr Dogus’ life was saved
by the NHS after he was shot trying to break
up Turkish mafia gang violence, an incident
he believes was linked to his anti-drugs
and anti-gang campaigning in North East
London at the time.
Investment
As for the future of the NHS, Mr Dogus
told City Matters: “It will take several years
of hard work and probably some investment
to undo the damage of Tory mismanagement
and indifference.
“We have to bite the bullet and start
re-building the NHS, the alternatives are
pretty grim.”
With an unprecedented five Labour
councillors elected to the City of London
Corporation’s Common Council two months
ago, Mr Dogus is optimistic people are
recognising the appeal of the party locally.
“The bottom line is that the Conservative
businessman:
Ibrahim Dogus
Party is short on innovative, fresh young
blood.
“People who know me tend to describe
me as restless or full of energy: I am always
striving for new ways to innovate in business
and create partnerships.
“That is the approach I would bring to the
City of London.”
Why Green teen can’t
count on dad’s vote
Turn to Page 5
Bank revolution
From Front Page
impact of the changes. One TfL assessor told City
Matters that the junction was “less busy” than usual
and that they were confident the new rules had been
well enough publicised.
Cyclists and buses are still permitted to use the
roads in peak hours (7am-7pm), and a considerable
number of riders could be spotted utilising the
“quieter” roads.
However, a two-week window to still use the
junction without risking a £130 penalty meant for a
lively mix of vehicles on the roads. Drivers who do
pass through the junction prior to the fines process
becoming active will receive a warning letter.
The Corporation told City Matters that income
generated by the measures would be redistributed
into similar programmes.
A spokesperson said: “The purpose of this scheme is
to improve safety at Bank junction – one of London’s
most dangerous hotspots. Penalty charge notices are
there to encourage compliance and deter vehicles
from passing through the junction.
“Any income received will be reinvested in
improving the safety and infrastructure of the area.”
The rules will be in place for 18 months and form
part of the Bank on Safety Scheme, which aims to
reduce the number of accidents at the junction.
A total of 34 cyclists and 31 pedestrians were
injured at Bank between 2011 and 2015.
Concert blast alert
From Front Page
surrounding streets in the early hours of Tuesday
morning due to a suspect package. It was later cleared
and the station was re-opened.
Lord Mayor Dr Andrew Parmley joined the chorus
of leaders condemning this week’s terrorist attack in
Manchester, tweeting: “Our thoughts go out to the
friends and families of the victims. London stands with
you.”
On Tuesday afternoon police arrested a 23-year-old
man in connection with the attack.
Nominees fired-up
for Dragon Awards
WHAT does a Premier League football club,
a design and technology consultancy, and the
Capital’s transport operator have in common?
They are all in the running for this year’s
Dragon Awards, of course.
Prizes even The Hobbit villain Smaug doesn’t
have in his vast treasure trove are up for grabs
during the City’s annual salute to organisations
who do their bit in the community, and the
upcoming 30th instalment has no less than 18
businesses of all sizes and sectors making the
shortlist cut.
Previous winners and finalists have
benefited through their involvement with the
Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards, citing a boost
in employee engagement and new business.
This year Arsenal Football Club, design
and technology consultancy firm Keytree,
and Transport for London have all been
nominated.
Vulnerable
“The firms shortlisted have gone above and
beyond to support their communities,” said
Lord Mayor Andrew Parmley.
“They are making a real and measurable
difference to vulnerable people and those in
need.
“The immense, invaluable contribution of
business in tackling social issues often goes
unnoticed. In today’s challenging economic
climate we need their intervention more than
ever.
“These awards celebrate the leaders
of responsible business – inspiring and
encouraging others to step up.”
Firms shortlisted for last year’s awards
supported nearly 500,000 Londoners,
creating over 14,500 jobs and investing over
£10million in their local communities and
local enterprises.
Innovation
This year, to celebrate the third decade of
the ceremony, two new categories were added
– one of which recognises London businesses
supporting communities across the UK
and another that celebrates innovation in
responsible business.
The winners will be announced at
Mansion House in September where they will
receive a prestigious ‘Dragon’ from the Lord
Mayor.
dragonawards.org.uk
coveted gong:
a Dragon Award
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