Security guard with 49 languages wins helpfulness award

 John Bowman, of Leaver Road, Henley, says he is able to greet people in 49 languages and is “working on a few more”.

He said: “I’m a walking phrase book. I don’t consider myself clever — I don’t even know my own mobile phone number — I just have a knack for it.”

Mr Bowman, 61, who works for Securitas at Maidenhead business communications company Avaya, has already won the firm’s regional award for the most helpful guard.

Henley Standard