Common Councillors, City of London elections, 24th March 2022
Working for a stronger, safer, healthier, more sustainable and progressive City of London
Graeme Doshi-Smith
- City Worker & IT Liveryman-
- Information Security Professional -
- Pragmatic environmentalist -
- Common Councilman 2013-22 -
"It's been my privilege to represent our ward for the last 9 years. As well as representing Farringdon Within on Planning & Transport, and Finance, I was elected to serve on a number of Open Spaces committees, which has been a key focus for me.
I'm passionate about the City of London, its businesses, workers and residents, and I would be honoured to carry on, volunteering my free time, to continue to make the City a better place to work, live and visit."
About Graeme
Loyal & Independent
Non-partisan, pragmatic and people-focused
Graeme has only ever stood for election in Farringdon Within. He first started campaigning in our ward in 2008, and then standing in elections in 2009 and 2011. He was finally successful in 2013, and was returned in 2017.
He's has never stood in an election for a political party, and thinks we should keep party politics out of the City.
"I regularly vote for and support people from all political backgrounds to get onto Committees - it's about promoting the best people with the right skills for the job, with a range and balance of views, not just someone from a particular political party."
Local worker & liveryman
Helping fellow constituents for over 10 years
Graeme has worked in the City, in the Ward or directly neighbouring Farringdon Within, for almost his entire working life.
Up to 2018 he worked for BNY Mellon located in the South of the Ward for over 10 years. He now works for Fidelity International at the Carter Lane end of Cannon Street, just south of the Cathedral.
Graeme is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, based in the north of our ward in Bartholomew Close.
City knowledge & experience
Understanding how the Corporation operates
Having been on the Court of Common Council for 9 years, he's served on a number of ward committees including Planning & Transportation and Finance.
In addition, Graeme has been elected by his peers to serve on
Economic & Cyber Crime Committee of the City of London Policy Authority Board (2021- )
Finance Committee (2019 - )
Audit & Risk Management Committee (2014 - 2017)
Information Systems Sub (Finance) Committee (2013-14)
Environmental focus
Seasoned Open Spaces Chair, and pragmatic environmentalist
Over the last 7 years, Graeme has been elected by his peers as Chairman for 3 of the City's 4 Open Spaces Committees. So he knows a thing or two about how the City maintains the 4,500 hectares of diverse open space across London and beyond. He was born and has lived his entire life close to Epping Forest.
Epping Forest & Commons Committee (2015- ), Deputy Chairman (2016-19). Chairman (2019- )
Open Spaces and City Gardens (2014- ), Deputy Chairman (2015-16, 2019-20), Chairman (2016-19)
West Ham Park Committee (2014- ), Deputy Chairman (2015-16, 2019-20), Chairman (2016-19)
Supporting our Ward
A voice for Farringdon Within in the City
Throughout his time on the Court, and ever since running for election, Graeme has been a voice for our corner of the City, working to get our fair share of support and attention, and to protect the ward.
He knows Farringdon Within and the people who live and work here.
Most recently, with back-bencher colleagues from across the City, Graeme supported a motion to force the Policy & Resources Committee to provide funding and support for smaller businesses, to try to help them through the pandemic.
Cyber-skills
An experienced Information Security professional
Graeme has working in Information Security and Technology Risk since 1998, putting these skils to use on various City committees including Audit & Risk, Information Systems, and most recently the Economic & Cyber Crime Committee.
He holds a range of relevant accreditation, including CISSP, CISM, CRISC.
If re-elected, he wants to focus part of his time supporting and challenging City Police in their National Lead Force role.
Future priorities for 2022 & beyond
Please take a look at my priorities if re-elected
Environment and climate change
The City of London owns and maintains 4,500 hectares of diverse open space across London and beyond.
As well as safeguarding biodiversity and providing recreation, sports and wellbeing for millions of visitors every year, managing these green spaces provides the Corporation an amazing opportunity to help address climate change.
The City of London can and must make a difference.
I want to use my knowledge and experience to carry on this work.
Cybersecurity & Fraud
The City of London Police is the National Lead Force on fraud, so plays a vital part in protecting all of us against fraud and cybercrime, both as individuals and as a nation.
We want to provide City Police with effective support, oversight and challenge.
Graeme is has over 30 years experience in cybersecurity in the financial services industry, and wants to continue to volunteer to provide the City with the benefit of his experience and expertise.
Post-pandemic recovery
We need the City Corporation to assist in helping the Ward and City recover after the pandemic, encouraging businesses and workers back in a safe and sustainable way.
We need to help small and medium businesses adapt to a different City, through financial and practical assistance.
We're particularly excited by the Fleet Street Quarter 'Business Improvement Districts, which will involve multi-million pound investment plans, in the south of our ward and in the east of the City.
Diversity & inclusion
As a team, we are here to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts that companies in the ward may wish to implement.
Florence has extensive experience in this space and has rolled out projects to improve racial and gender equity in the workplace. Graeme has recently become a UK co-lead for LGBT+ where he works.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss how we support and champion DE&I initiatives in your company.
Well-being and mental health
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for companies to support their employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Both Florence and Graeme believe wellbeing needs to be adequately addressed in the ward and the City as a whole and will work to ensure wellbeing initiatives are launched across the ward as workers return to the office.
Please use two of your votes on Thursday 24th March 2022 to
re-elect Graeme and to elect Florence to represent our ward
City of London election - Thursday 24th March 2022
Contact Graeme
You can contact Graeme through email, Twitter or phone...
Email: Me@Graeme.City
Twitter: @GraemeCity
Mobile: 07517 453 820