THE Rotary Club of Farnham has elected Ian Sergeant as its new president, succeeding Peter Duffy.

Ian has a strong local pedigree having been born in Farnham and educated at local schools including St Andrew’s Infant, West Street Boys School (now Potters Gate) and Farnham Grammar School.

He then trained and qualified as a chartered accountant in Farnham.

His work took him to France, Holland, Germany and, for 20 years in Switzerland. He then returned to live and work in Farnham as international business consultant in 1993, from which he retired in 2006.

His family also has Farnham roots. His wife Margaret, nee Morris, is from Farnham, and of his four daughters, although all were born in Switzerland, two now live in Farnham.

Ian joined the Rotary Club of Farnham in 2008 and served as treasurer for several years.

His other local activities and charities include being organist of Farnham Methodist Church, chairman of Farnham Educational Foundation, and president of Old Farnhamians’ Association.

Ian has chosen Phyllis Tuckell Hospice as his nominated charity during his year of office and will also work to support tomosynthesis and treatment of breast cancer more generally in our local hospitals.

Phyllis Tuckell has been a regular beneficiary from the club’s charitable funds for several decades and earlier this year the club made donations towards tomosynthesis machines at Frimley Park and Royal Surrey.