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JOHN MCKELVIE • AFTER DINNER SPEAKER

John McKelvie is one of Scotland’s most experienced and entertaining after dinner speakers, combining a lifetime in policing and football refereeing with a warm, natural storytelling style that audiences immediately warm to. A native of the Lanarkshire mining village of Holytown, John joined the Police Service in 1971 and completed 30 years’ service, retiring as Superintendent at Govan — a place he still jokingly refers to as “a quaint little fishing village on the banks of the Clyde!”

Alongside his policing career, John built up an impressive refereeing background after joining the Lanarkshire Referees’ Association in 1970. He officiated at Scottish Amateur Cup Finals at both youth and senior level and became well known throughout the Scottish amateur game. John’s stories from life in football, policing and public service provide a rich source of material which audiences across Scotland instantly relate to.

John’s style is classic Scottish after dinner speaking at its best — sharp observations, quick one-liners, self-deprecating humour and plenty of real-life experiences gathered over decades. He has the rare ability to make every audience feel as though they are simply listening to a good friend telling stories in the lounge after the event has officially finished.

His humour remains firmly rooted in the real world, whether talking about refereeing abuse, married life or the ups and downs of public service. As John himself puts it, he worked Monday to Friday in the Police and refereed on Saturdays — “so I always looked forward to Sunday, as it was the only day my parentage wasn’t openly questioned!” Warm, experienced and effortlessly funny, John McKelvie remains a hugely popular choice for Burns Suppers, sports dinners, golf days, corporate events and social clubs throughout Scotland.