About Reuben

Reuben Lynch, believed to be Britain's only black professional Toastmaster was born on the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

He came to England in 1961 and, after leaving school, joined the British Army where he served for 22 years, seeing service in Northern Island, the Persian Gulf, Gibraltar, Belize and Germany.

Reuben was sent to the International Restaurant at the Army School of Catering in Aldershot where he qualified to butler standard. This enabled him to spend the last eight years of his service as Manager of an Officers' Mess, where he entertained HRH The Princess Royal and met their Royal Highnesses The Duchess of Kent and The Duke of Gloucester as well as a host of other VIPs and dignitaries.

Since leaving the army in 1990, Reuben has worked as Conference and Banqueting Manager at a large and very busy hotel in Warwickshire. It was during this time that he qualified as a Professional Toastmaster.

Reuben has twelve years experience as a Professional Toastmaster and had the honour of being President of the Northern Guild of Toastmasters 2005-2006 and Fellow and Vice-President of The College of Toastmasters.

Reuben has officiated at many prestigious events, such as:

• The opening of the Wolverhampton/Birmingham Metro in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal.
• The British Chamber of Commerce National Conference and Dinner in the presence of HRH Prince Andrew in London.
• The Global Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London in the presence of HRH Prince Edward.
• The Federation of Black Women Business Owners at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
• Simon Weston's Weston Spirit charity event at the Café Royal, London.
• The World Indoor Archery Championships at the NIA, Birmingham.
• The Green Fleet Awards at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London.
• and many, many more!

Reuben is happily married to his wife, Pat, with two children. He relaxes by playing cricket, making punches, and helping out at the local Volunteers Bureau.