John Murray is our new club president. He has lived in Harpenden since 2001 when, after a career including spells in the oil industry and running his own business, he was appointed chief executive of the Society of Maritime Industries.

John is married to Christine and they have two grown-up children.

This is not his first Rotary presidency. He joined Darlington Rotary Club in the 1970s and was president in 1989-90. He has been a member of Harpenden Village Rotary Club since 2001.

John commented: ‘The core ethos of Rotary is encapsulated in its motto, Service above Self. While serving and supporting the community, both locally and through our international contacts, may appear to be on hold at present, as a result of Covid-19, I can assure you that our club members are working behind the scenes to ensure that during my year we will be able to deliver on our remit.

‘For those of you fortunate to have been able to continue working, albeit from home, Rotary is an ideal vehicle through which you could deliver on many of your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility objectives. If you would like more information about membership please look at the other pages on this website, follow the links and register your interest. We will be in touch.’