Meet the Board: Rob Menown, Vice President

I’m Rob Menown from Chelmsford 132, and stepping into the role of National Vice President feels like the natural next chapter in what has already been a brilliant ten years in Round Table. What motivated me to take on a national role is simple: I want to help keep the momentum going. Our association has been growing, evolving, and rediscovering its energy - and I’d love to play a part in pushing that trajectory even further.

Round Table has always been about personal connection for me. It’s given me friendships, confidence, and experiences I’d never have had otherwise. One of my favourites, and probably the one that gets the biggest reaction, is recording in Abbey Road Studios. That’s the kind of thing that happens when you keep saying yes, which is exactly the advice I give to every new member. Say yes. Turn up. Take the opportunities. You never know where they’ll lead.

This year, my focus is on making Round Table easier to run. It’s not glamorous, but when the admin is smooth and the structure is clear, Tables thrive. And when Tables thrive, they become catalysts for incredible things in their communities. If I can help make that easier for every club across the country, I’ll be a very happy Vice President.

Outside of Table, I’m usually on the water or up a wall somewhere. I’m passionate about sailing, and I’m also a qualified rock climbing and white‑water kayaking instructor, something that tends to surprise people. If I wasn’t doing the VP role, I’d probably be trying to get my hands on National Sporting Weekend, because I love the energy and camaraderie it brings.

In fact, it’s the one thing I think every Tabler should experience this year!

If I’m going to get blamed for anything this year, it’ll probably be the Sheffield AGM slides… apparently they were a bit too sexy for some people’s liking and  if my year had a tagline, it would be simple: #oldbranding. A nod to where we’ve come from, even as we keep moving forward.