Our Newest Members

As the membership of Rotary grows, we spotlight the new members of Rotary in The East Midlands

Photos and introductions are included where received from the members.

June Alexander - Kibworth & Fleckney

Why I joined Rotary - my late husband was a member of Sherborne Rotary Club in Dorset and I was a member and late President of Sherborne Inner Wheel.  When I moved to Kibworth and knowing no-one, joining the Kibworth Rotary Club seemed a logical thing to do.  The Club have been very welcoming.

My history - retired for 20 years, previously a Technical Training Instructor and Manager of Technical Training and Curriculum Management mainly for IBM, but later for Cisco and other Computer Networking companies.

John Austin - Ramsey

I was born in1937 and brought up in West Bromwich. After qualifying as Building Services Engineer, I was called up for National Service in 1959 and was Commissioned with the Royal Artillery.

My military career later continued with the TAVR and in 1975 I was promoted to the rank of Major and took command of the unit based in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Employed by British Aerospace (Military Aircraft Division) I began a long period of overseas working, principally in the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and latterly in Libya, engaged in the management of construction projects in support of military aircraft export programmes.

My hobbies have included cycling, woodturning, motor caravanning, and singing barbershop.

I joined Rotary because I wished to contribute to activities in the local and international communities and I valued the friendship offered by members of the Rotary Club of Ramsey.

Geoff Banks - Rushden

My wife Rachael and I were born and raised in London. In 1988 we moved our (then) young family from Essex to Northampton where, in an effort to throw myself fully into life in our new location, I answered an appeal to serve as a parent governor at Emmanuel Middle School eventually serving five years as Chair. 

I spent almost my entire career in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market in the City of London and in 2020 retired after 46 (mostly happy) years. In common with many other people, I faced the challenge of how best to occupy all the extra time on my hands. Within three months of retirement, we moved to the tranquility of village life in Stanwick. I soon joined a Golf Club and also started helping out once a week at a Food Bank. However, I felt that improving my golf handicap and delivering food parcels, whilst gratifying, were not really filling the void left by no longer being part of corporate life.

A chance meeting with two Rotarians, who were selling raffle tickets to a charity trolley dash in my local supermarket, prompted me to find out more about Rotary. The combination of doing something worthwhile both in the local community and the wider world, and the opportunities to make new friends and socialise with like-minded people really appealed to me.

Rachael Banks - Rushden

Rodica Celan - Lindum Lincoln

Joining Rotary has been an immensely rewarding experience for me. The sense of community and camaraderie within the club is unique through Rotary, I've had the opportunity to engage in impactful service projects, expand my professional network, and develop my leadership skills. It's truly a fulfilling journey of giving back to society while encourage personal growth and lasting friendships.

Derek Chapman - Alford & Mablethorpe

Malcolm Collins - Ashby Castle

I was introduced to Rotary by a good friend - Alan Dunton and became a member of the Rotary Club of Haddington (District 1020 as it was then) in 2017. I enjoyed Rotary in Scotland very much and became president of the club in 2019-20. We then moved down to England and owing to family circumstances, I had some time outside of Rotary. I eventually settled in Ashby de la Zouch and was introduced to Ashby de la Zouch Castle by Mark Arjoo - the current president. I am currently a member of the Youth Team there.

I am now retired but had  and varied career including agricultural research, teaching in UK and in Zambia. On my return to UK, I retrained as a computer programmer and systems analyst and eventually set up my own company where I worked as a freelance contractor for many years until my retirement. I was a senior project manager and worked on contracts in a wide range of sectors including banking, manufacturing , retail and in the utilities.

I enjoy music (guitar and Piano) and compose music from time to time. I am also a keen photographer.

Vittorio Contardi - Leicester

Emma Davies - St. Neots St. Mary's

Scott Fitzsimmons - Wellingborough Hatton

David Gardner - Melton Mowbray

Svetlana Groapă - Lindum Lincoln

Originally from the Republic of Moldova, I am an accountant by profession. I joined the Rotary club because, in an increasingly complex world, Rotary responds to one of the most fundamental human needs: the need for friendship. This was the primary reason for my connection.

Another reason is our innate desire for connection in our daily lives. Rotary encompasses every sector of the business community, with members hailing from various fields of activity. Rotarians assist one another and collaborate to aid others. Active participation in a Rotary club fosters interpersonal relationships and personal growth naturally.

Active involvement in Rotary clubs also cultivates better citizenship within the community. Each Rotary club comprises engaged citizens of their respective local communities, staying informed about local, national, and global affairs through regular meetings featuring diverse speakers and discussions on current topics.

Exciting club projects and social activities invigorate members, as does the fulfillment derived from helping others.

Lastly, every Rotarian is a member of "Rotary International," aligning us as global citizens.

John Hall - Market Bosworth

Neil Hardman - Market Bosworth

I  moved back to live in Leicestershire in August 2023 after spending the last 6 years of my working life in Kent. I had been a civil servant in HMRC and then Customs & International trader for over 40 years when I retired in July 2022.

When I came back home to the Midlands, where previously I had lived for 30 years, I wanted to put some of my newly found spare time to good use and help my local community. I stumbled upon the Market Bosworth website while browsing the internet looking for organisations to join.

Within a very short period of time I was being made extremely welcome by the Rotarians and was a regular at the coffee mornings and lunchtime talks etc. I was formally introduced into a full Rotarian on the 23rd January 2024, and have already become an active member, being co-opted onto committees, helping with the Easter egg hunt etc. In the 8 months that I have been attending Rotary events, I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received and the new friendships that have been formed.

Outside Rotary, I play bowls for my local club, sing in a choir, run a pub quiz, and am a member of a swimming club. I also enjoy travelling, reading and good food and wine.

John Harris - Market Bosworth

Billy Hopkins - Rushden

I'm Billy Hopkins, a 36-year-old from the Wirral. I started my career in the RAF at 20 and served for 8 years. I have always had a keen interest in fitness, particularly after retiring from boxing.

I cherish the moments with my fiancé Sophia and have been living in Wellingborough for three years, together with our 2 cats, Stripe and Patches. Professionally, I'm a Cloud Computing Specialist at Fujitsu.

Alan Horne - Sleaford

Agnieszka Kusiak - South East Midlands Hub

Moez Latif - Kettering Huxloe

Andy Leeson - Stamford

Karen Marsh - Melton Mowbray Belvoir

Maureen Oguntimehin - District 1070 E-Club

Margaret Pickford - Loughborough Beacon

Iraj Posh-Mashad - Kettering Huxloe

Ilias Spyropoulos - Market Harborough

Nigel Wickens - Towcester

Christopher Yates - Kettering Huxloe

In December 2023, I retired from University College London where I worked as a Lecturer in International Education at the Institute of Education.  My work involved education in lower income countries with Ministries, Development Banks and Aid Agencies, primarily focussing on teacher development but also working with marginalised groups such as refugees and out of school children. 

I joined Rotary (Kettering Huxloe Club) in early 2024 because its values aligned with my own and I wish to build local connections while retaining my international interests.