I attended full boarding schools from the age of 9 and particularly enjoyed sport, co-curricular activities, and spending time with friends. I was very fortunate to tour Japan and Hong Kong at school, then South Africa in my GAP year – and these sporting and cultural experiences helped shape my view that education is about connecting with others and is equally important outside the classroom as it is inside.
Following a degree at Newcastle University, I worked in Financial Services marketing for an investment bank and global insurer before running a marketing design agency in the West End. I finished my London career heading up the international marketing function for an insurer, but the frequent European travel (with very young children at home) led me to reassess my goals, interests, and how I might make a difference to young people.
I started teaching in 2013, and have worked in two prep schools in various roles as an English teacher (with a bit of History, Science, and PSHCE thrown in for good measure!), Head of English, Head of Boarding, sports coach, Yr7/8 Pastoral Lead, Assistant Head, and member of Senior Leadership Teams. My family and I also lived on-site in a busy boarding house for seven years.
I have ‘wasted’ a lot of money on sports cars (!) but now like to spend my free time with my wife, Fi; two teenage daughters; and our Yorkipoo, Scampi. The holidays are all about long walks and long lunches now!
