The Richmond Society has a new Chairman.

He is Barry May (photo), formerly a reporter on the Richmond & Twickenham Times who became a foreign correspondent and editor for Reuters. He has been a member of the Society since 2002.

“I was born, raised and went to school in Richmond upon Thames,” Barry said. “So my roots here are deep, and although I’ve been fortunate to travel widely around the world my heart was always in Richmond. Nowhere else compares. I’m looking forward to playing a part in making it even better.”

Barry is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Freeman of the City of London, and a member of several social, cultural and geopolitical organisations. He is married with two sons, and lives in Richmond.

His predecessor, Professor Ian Bruce, stepped down in December to fulfil family commitments. After five years as Chairman, he is now a Patron of the Society.