Nepali-Born Bhim Saru Magar Elected Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough in UK

In a historic achievement for the Nepali diaspora, former British Gurkha Captain Bhim Saru Magar has been elected Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough in the United Kingdom. Saru, who represents the ruling Labour Party, secured 20 votes in the council’s annual mayoral election, defeating Conservative candidate Will Markham, who received 15 votes. Four councillors were absent during the voting process.

The 19 Labour councillors were joined by two Green Party members in supporting Saru’s candidacy. Following his election, Saru was formally sworn in during the Council’s plenary session, taking the oath of office and secrecy.

Expressing his gratitude, Mayor Saru thanked the Council and the residents of the borough for entrusting him with the opportunity to serve. “It is a great honour for someone like me—born in a rural village of Nepal—to be elected as a mayor in Britain,” he said. “I followed my father’s footsteps into the British Army, and today I stand here committed to serve this diverse and vibrant community.”

He pledged to work inclusively across all social and ethnic groups to make the council’s services more effective. Speaking to the RSS after the ceremony, Saru highlighted the broader significance of his election: “This is a proud moment not just for me, but for all Nepalis. It shows that Nepalis are capable of holding leadership positions globally.”

Mayor Saru also emphasized his desire to collaborate with municipal leaders in Nepal, saying his experience could benefit both his local constituency in the UK and communities back in his homeland. “There is a significant Nepali population here in the borough, and I am committed to ensuring their needs are addressed as part of my broader responsibilities.”

His election marks a landmark moment, as he becomes the first individual from the Nepali Gurkha community to be elected mayor in the UK’s more than 200-year history of Gurkha recruitment.

Bhim Saru Magar hails from Chidipani in Palpa district, Nepal. He joined the British Army in 1993 and served nearly three decades with the Royal Engineers, eventually retiring as a Garrison Engineer. After his military service, he transitioned into entrepreneurship by establishing Saru Embroidery, a successful business based in the UK.

In 2023, Saru entered politics and was elected a councillor for the Labour Party in the Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council. His rise from a Gurkha soldier to a respected businessman and now a public office holder is a compelling story of resilience, dedication, and leadership.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough, home to a Nepali and Gurkha community of around 3,000, also features a dedicated memorial to the Gurkha regiment, situated near Bramcote Barracks. Mayor Saru’s election adds another proud chapter to this shared history.