Ceremonial handover at Godmersham

Jo Holmes receives the chain of office from Clive Marchant

Eighteen months on from becoming ABDO president, Jo Holmes was finally able to receive the chain of office in person from immediate past president, Clive Marchant, last weekend.

The handover took place during a retirement reception at Godmersham Park for Jo Underwood, who retired from her position as ABDO College principal in April after 21 years. It had not been able to occur prior to this due to the restrictions of the pandemic.

Jo said: “Receiving the ABDO presidential chain of office was a great honour – and I was certainly surprised at how heavy it was. All the names of previous past presidents are engraved on the medal, and this makes me realise how privileged I am to be part of ABDO’s history. I am sure the medal has many stories to tell.”

Jo was able to present Daryl Newsome with his vice presidential chain of office on the day too.

ABDO vice president, Daryl Newsome

Daryl said: “It is a full 18 months since our board of directors held a virtual ceremony to install our president Jo Holmes, and myself as vice president. We had no idea it would be so long before the actual exchange of chains of office would take place. We took the opportunity at Jo’s farewell gathering – saving ABDO time and expense while enjoying the setting of Godmersham Park. It was a proud moment indeed to wear our medals for the occasion.”

Jo will serve as ABDO president until April 2022 before handing over the chain of office to Daryl.

The next ABDO vice president will be announced in October 2021.