Councillor Veejay Patel was born and grew up in Leicester, where his parents settled in the mid 1950’s. He runs a successful employment and training business together with his wife, Varsha, which has been established for 25 years.
Since his election in 1995, he has chaired various committees, including Environment and Regeneration & Planning. From 2001 to 2004, he was Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead on several portfolios including Finance, Equal Opportunities, Community Cohesion, ICT, Property, Commercial Services, Best Value and Human Resources.
He has represented Leicester on the East Midlands Regional Assembly and held board positions with Business Link Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Combined Fire Authority, Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation and Leicester City Challenge.
In March 2010, Councillor Patel was elected as the first Asian Leader of Leicester City Council and has been a member of the Leicester & Leicestershire Leadership Board, Leicester & Leicestershire Public Service Board, Local Government Association General Assembly and Chair of Leicester Partnership.
Councillor Patel has delivered 6 budgets and in October 2010 was proud to be named the Public Sector National Man of the Year in the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards.
He is married to Varsha, who will serve as his Consort during his year of Office as High Bailiff, and they have two children.
More information relating to High Bailiffs of Leicester from the year 1252 and brief description of duties are available here
