We are very sad to write that our friend and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Deepak Mahtani passed away on Sunday 12 April.

Deepak joined the City Gateway board three years ago, bringing with him huge passion for our mission, as well as fresh insights into how we increase our impact across everything we do.

In those three years Deepak has helped us drive phenomenal change in the lives of the women and young people we work with, and how we support them.

His leadership and drive has helped us to build a strong, expert and challenging board to continuously improve governance. His passion has also helped us shape a new ambitious programme of delivery for the young people we support, from a new and purpose built training hub in Poplar, as well as establish our Women’s Programme at the heart of the local community.

Deepak has faithfully and selflessly led, supported and challenged all of us at City Gateway. He has been full of insight and joy in the good times and full of peace and calm wisdom in the tougher times. In both circumstances always with a cheeky chuckle and a laugh!

His faith and ambition for us to succeed was always evident and we are now in a strong position, as we follow the example of Jesus and continue our mission, because of Deepak’s leadership.

David Wesson, our CEO says:

“Deepak was such a great friend to me. He was a Godly man with a global perspective and a loving heart for the disadvantaged in society. Always a faithful encourager and mentor to the team, he was a humble man who just got on and did what needed to be done with endless enthusiasm, joy and a heart for our students, our team and our stakeholders.

Deepak was involved in many projects beyond City Gateway yet he always gave so generously of his time with a passion and expertise we will miss. But he leaves behind an amazing legacy, one which will live on in the work we continue to deliver for women and young people across London.

We are so blessed to call Deepak our friend and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time”.