Erminio William Louis Marchesi founded the Round Table, an international fellowship and community charitable organisation for young men.  Marchesi was a young member of the Rotary Club in Norwich when he listened to the radio and heard the then Prince of Wales challenge the young men of Britain to "sit round a table (Round Table) adopt an idea, adapt it and improve it" (the motto is Adopt, Adapt, Improve). He conceived a club which could support younger businessmen; an idea he suggested to the membership in 1926.

​The first Round Table - "Norwich Round Table No. 1" was formed at Suckling House, Norwich on 14 March 1927, with Marchesi as Secretary and other young Rotarians among its officers.

To prevent 'Round Table' becoming an old persons club the founders initiated a retirement age of 31 March following the 40th birthday.