Service Is in Our DNA Leicester s Fifth Punjabi Lord Mayor on Community, Compassion and a Lifelong Journey newly appointed Lord Mayor, Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal, has taken office with a pledge to stand up for the city s most vulnerable while marking a proud milestone for one of Leicester s longest established communities.
Johal, who arrived in the city as a six year old unable to speak English, is now Leicester s fifth Lord Mayor of Indian Punjabi heritage, a moment he describes as both symbolic and deeply personal.
“For our community, seva selfless service is in our DNA,” he says. “Being the fifth Punjabi Lord Mayor reflects decades of contribution to Leicester, not only through work and business, but through helping others.”
Johal was born in rural Punjab in the early 1970s and spent his early childhood in a village without the infrastructure most take for granted. When his family relocated to Leicester, he found himself part of a small minority at school and unable to communicate with his peers.
“My first few months at school were very difficult. I was isolated, I felt lost. But after six months, my English improved and football became my way in. Suddenly I had friends, and Leicester began to feel like home.”
Growing up in the inner city, he once imagined following the path so many local families took into textiles, the industry that helped shape modern Leicester.
But his instinct to help others would lead him in a different direction. By the age of ten, he was already accompanying newly arrived Punjabi families to the Jobcentre, interpreting for them and acting as a bridge as they found their footing.
“I was helping others do what I once could not do myself,” he reflects. “That is how community works.”
That early sense of duty grew into a lifetime of civic involvement. Johal spent more than 25 years as General Secretary of his gurdwara and played a key role during the visit of Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II to Leicester in 2002, a moment he describes as a profound honour and source of immense pride.
He also helped transform GNG Football Club from a modest community side into a thriving organisation with around 60 teams, including 13 for girls. The growth, he says, is rooted in the same ethos that has guided him since childhood.
“That is my seva. We do it because it is who we are.”
As Lord Mayor, Johal intends to use his platform to support those facing hardship, whether battling poverty, homelessness or struggling to navigate complex public services.
“My door will always be open,” he says. “I cannot promise to fix every problem, but I can promise to listen. Everyone deserves dignity and respect.”
His chosen charities, Midlands Langar Seva Society and Leicester Hospitals Charity, reflect his commitment to compassion and practical support. Both provide crucial services to people in crisis, from hot meals to urgent medical care.
Johal is also focused on nurturing future leaders. Through GNG, he mentors young people, encouraging them to embrace responsibility, learn from failure and gain confidence.
“Leadership is not about never getting things wrong. It is about learning, growing and going again.”
Reflecting on his journey, from a boy who could not speak English to Leicester s first citizen, Johal hopes his experience inspires others to seize their own opportunities.
“If I can do it, anyone can. You do not need a grand plan. Just take opportunities when they come and always think about how you can help others.”
Timeline of Indian Punjabi Heritage Lord Mayors of Leicester:
Councillor Culdipp Singh Bhatti MBE Lord Mayor of Leicester 1996 to 1997
Councillor Piara Singh Clair First turban wearing Sikh Lord Mayor of Leicester 2004 to 2005
Late Councillor Manjula Sood MBE First Asian woman Lord Mayor in the UK 2008 to 2009
Councillor Deepak Bajaj Lord Mayor of Leicester 2022 to 2023
Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal Lord Mayor of Leicester 2026 to 2027
