EUR ING Govind Vekaria, BSc(Hons) CEng FIET
Govind Vekaria’s volunteering journey began not with a grand plan, but with a simple intention to give a little more of himself. Working for Thales UK, a company that actively encourages volunteering and even offers dedicated paid time for it, he found the spark he needed to get started. “I had often thought about volunteering but never actively pursued any opportunities,” he reflected, recalling how a personal goal of contributing at least ten hours a year nudged him from intention into action.
Finding opportunities, however, wasn’t easy. Even roles like fundraising came with waiting lists, and early enquiries often went unanswered. Then came a turning point: an organisation delivered a presentation at Thales, and Govind signed up for one‑to‑one employability support sessions. Helping long‑term job seekers felt like a natural fit, after all, he had spent years helping family, friends and colleagues improve their CVs.
It was during this period that he attended the IET London Local Network’s (LN) volunteer recruitment event at Savoy Place. Discovering they were looking to revive the Harrow sub‑group “felt like a natural choice,” he said, especially as a Harrow resident. And so began the next chapter of his volunteering story, one he hadn’t anticipated.
Stepping Up When It Matters
Govind insists he never set out to hold a committee position: “I was content to be just helping out,” he recalls. Yet volunteering often opens unexpected doors. At the first planning meeting in January 2025, he and two others agreed to revive the Harrow subgroup, aiming to deliver three in‑person events that year. With support from the former Chair, they set about organising the first event.
As the year progressed, the volunteer team naturally changed, and by the second event, Govind was the only active volunteer remaining. Even so, he chose to continue. Hosting events and connecting with engineers from diverse backgrounds energised him, and his responsibilities naturally grew. Before long, he was serving not only as Chair, but also as Secretary and Treasurer of the London Harrow LN. “I guess I was happy to host events and meet people… that I stepped up and took on the additional responsibilities,” he reflected.
Through it all, he remains grateful for the support of his son, Vishal, who helps at every event despite not being an IET member.
Growing a Community
Govind’s impact became clear remarkably quickly. In 2025, the team exceeded their target, delivering four in person events instead of the planned three. Attendance rose dramatically, from just 11 participants at the first event and more than double the attendance by November. Considering the network had previously been attracting only two or three people before it closed in 2023, this growth told “a success story in itself.”
As turnout increased, Govind recognised the need for a more suitable venue. What had worked for a dozen attendees no longer met expectations for a growing network. He successfully negotiated a preferential rate for a larger, purpose‑built space with professional presentation facilities, a change he felt was vital to honouring the quality of their speakers from industry and academia.
Govind’s vision for the London Harrow LN is clear: continued growth, more events, and a stronger volunteer team. He hopes more members will step forward, even if only to help set up or pack down events. His goal for 2026 includes six scheduled events, though with support, he would love to increase this to 11 or 12 each year.
He is also exploring open days with partner organisations and working closely with Harrow College (part of HRUC) to enrich opportunities for students through IET collaboration and professional development talks.
A Life Full of Curiosity and Creativity
Away from the London Harrow LN, Govind’s interests paint a picture of someone who embraces life with enthusiasm. In his younger years, he played several instruments — even performing as a bass guitarist in an Indian pop group, before ultimately discovering a passion for Scottish bagpipes. He proudly recalls competing at national and international levels with one of England’s top non‑professional pipe bands.
More recently, portrait photography has become a creative outlet for him, leading to work with high‑profile clients, with some of his shots appearing on magazine covers and billboards. When the weather warms, he also enjoys lawn bowls, so much so that he is now working with former members to revive his local club after it folded due to low membership.
Govind’s story is ultimately about growth, personal growth, community growth, and the development of a network that is now thriving because one volunteer simply said “yes” to getting involved. His journey reminds us that leadership doesn’t always start with ambition. Sometimes it starts with showing up, helping out, and discovering along the way that you can make a real difference.
If Govind’s story inspires you and you’d like to support the ongoing success of the London Harrow LN, he warmly encourages you to get in touch. You can say hello in the comments below or connect with him on EngX, and he’ll reach out to you directly.
Govind shows how much impact one dedicated volunteer can make. His drive to support others and strengthen the London Harrow network continues to shape a thriving, welcoming community.
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