Bobby Cairns: Andrew Black - HMRC Rapid Response

There was an excellent turnout of Rotarians and friends at Mansfield House Hotel on 26^thJanuary to witness Scott Elliot hand over the Presidency of the Club to Jane Cox, the Club's fourth female leader. This is however the first time the Presidential Year has been divided between two holders, Jane having deferred her spell in the hot seat while she was fresh into her other rôle as an SBC Councillor.

Jane then chaired a most enjoyable meeting in which Rotarian Bobby Cairns introduced as guest speaker his grandson Andrew Black. Andrew spoke of his work with HMRC's Surge & Rapid Response team. This team of 670 covers a very wide range of activities, from immigration control at airports, through asylum seeker assessments, to other taxing situations. They can be moved at 72 hours notice to where there is need of reinforcement, and, living near Edinburgh, this can for example mean a sudden relocation to Heathrow.

Several questions for Andrew followed before President Jane called for the deserved Vote of Thanks.