Reuben in the News
Evening Mail, 2001

The text of this article reads:

A shining example to would-be entrepreneurs with ambitious plans is Midlands-based Reuben Simeon Lynch - Britain's first professional black toastmaster.

Reuben, from Bidford-upon-Avon, is one of the case studies in One 2 One's Everything Communicates marketing tool - and is delighted to have been earmarked as a local boy made good.

His rise to fame on the banqueting circuit began when he left the Army after 22 years to take up a post as Conference and Banqueting Manager at the Chesford Grange Hotel, near Kenilworth.

He left the hotel after five years to launch his unique career on the toastmaster circuit - and the rest is history.

Reuben's impressive curriculum vitae includes appearances at scores of weddings, banquets, dinners, corporate functions and other events across the UK.

He said: "The secret to the job is knowledge. Once you have the knowledge you have confidence, and once you have confidence, it shows, and you can handle awkward situations.

"Money is not the be-all and end-all for me. I genuinely try to help people.

"I believe that if you help people, they will spread the word about you to others."

Reuben said he was delighted to have been highlighted as one of the case-studies in the One 2 One initiative.

"I am very pleased that my case has been highlighted. The good thing about using marketing professionals - any professionals really - is that they have their ear to the ground, and so they help keep you up to date, because things are moving so fast."