Who is the new UK Cypriot Barnet Deputy Mayor Tony Vourou
UK Cypriot Tony Vourou is a Labour Party Councillor in the Brunswick Park Ward in Barnet. We found out a little about him and why he wanted to be a Barnet Councillor…
Tony, where were you born and raised?
I was born in London and grew up in Tottenham and then Haringay. My parents are from Cyprus; my mother from Komi Kebir and my father from Rizokarpasso and married to London born Caroline.
I have two children one daughter Penny a Doctor and Nikola a tax advisor.
Tell us about your schooling and working life.
I attended Seven Sisters junior school, Wood Green comprehensive school and North London polytechnic. I had a dress manufacturing business and I am an events coordinator and director at One StopWeddings.
Are you active within the Cypriot community?
I am involved in many Cypriot community associations including Komi Kebir and Rizokarpasso Associations, EKEKA and the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK.
Are you active in the Barnet Community?
I am the Chair of Governors at St John’s Church of England Junior school in Friern Barnet. I am a governor at Cromer Road junior school in New Barnet and I am also a committee member of St Katherine’s Church in Barnet.
Why did you want to be a Barnet Councillor?
I have lived in the borough of Barnet since 1973, in which time I have raised two children and set up a small local business that has allowed me to work with a wide cross-section of our community and develop an understanding of the challenges we face.
As one who has benefited from being part of a supportive community, I am in favour of developing a community centre in Brunswick Park which can be used by all residents to improve community cohesion.
Education is a passion of mine. I have been a Barnet school governor for the past 25 years and currently hold the post of Chair of Governors at one school. I have seen first-hand the importance of adequate and appropriate school funding so would actively oppose any cuts to this.
