Alumni Profiles
Loughborough Grammar School Alumni
Lawrence Ong 2018 – CEO, Arable
Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of your time at Loughborough Grammar School? I remember how surreal it was joining in my first day of Year 8, it was incredible! At the time I was blown away at the thumb scanners throughout the school as it made me feel like a…
Scott Boardman 2014 – Aircraft Broker
“I would highly recommend considering this industry if you like travelling and an ever-changing day to day role.” I am currently an aircraft broker. This involves finding and selling the spare time that an aircraft has when it is sitting on the ground, perhaps overnight. I will then sell this aircraft to an airline that…
Jonathan Rose 2014 – Senior News Reporter
Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of your time at Loughborough Grammar School? So many memories come to mind… they include rugby, CCF engineers and the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It’s funny because the things which first come to mind for me are mostly extra-curricular activities! Take advantage of the…
Todd Clapham 2017 – Full Stack Software Engineer
Alumni Wisdom What does your role involve? Creating software and solutions to improve the viability of renewable energy, in particular wind energy. How has your time at School influenced your life and career? It has helped me to be confident in my ability and given me a solid foundation of technical knowledge. What are your…
Ethan Youel 2014 – Head Bartender
“I worked in every department… to get as much experience as I could from that year.” I am now Head Bartender at HIX, Soho in London, an apothecary, speakeasy style cocktail bar which focuses on using unusual ingredients and creating “experience drinks” which you are unable to get anywhere else in the world. I use…
William Bourne 2011 – Leverage Finance Analyst
“It was the narrowing of my pursuits in tandem with friends doing the same that helped instil the value of hard work, dedication and teamwork in order to succeed.” Whilst I didn’t perhaps take the most traditional path into finance, I can trace my current occupation back to my first interest in business and macro…
Tim Prescott 2011- Doctor/General Duties Medical Officer
“While school provided excellent support to me academically, it is the breadth of opportunity outside the classroom and the intrinsic ethos of the school for which I am most grateful.” In 2011, I began my studies at the University of Southampton where I spent a thoroughly enjoyable 5 years. University is a melting pot of…
David’s Story
“Now that I have entered the world of work and my years of (full-time) education are (probably!) behind me, I look back on my time at LGS with thankfulness for the rare opportunities it has given me, both while I was there and after I had moved on. “ When I heard that I would…
Jordan Thelen 2010 – Manager
“The academic platform provided supports the problem-solving skills required in business,” Beyond the academic support, the opportunities outside of the classroom had the biggest impact on skills development. Firstly, playing in sports teams (Football, Cricket & Cross-Country) allowed me to develop teamwork skills as well as through captaining some of these teams, leadership. Furthermore, the…
Shivam Thakkar 2009 – Corporate Development & Transaction Services Finance Specialist
“I did an Industrial Placement working at the Walt Disney Company.” After applying to hundreds of jobs (not an exaggeration!), I managed to join the graduate scheme at Arcadia Group. This is where I began my professional career as well as studying for my Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification. Graduate schemes are good…
Tom Owen KC 2007 – Barrister
My journey at the Endowed Schools began at year 4 in Fairfield. I started at Loughborough Grammar School (LGS) in 2000. The seven years that followed at LGS were invaluable in preparation for all aspects of my professional and personal life. The academic support was first class. There were many varied opportunities inside and outside…
Stephen Bott 2005 – HR & Facilities Manager
“Experience is not the be all and end all; so don’t worry if you don’t have significant experience in a particular area – as long as you can show an appropriate skillset and a desire to learn, you stand an excellent chance of entering your desired industry.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about…
Jack Nunn 2004 – Founder & Director
“I’m excited to see the Loughborough Schools Foundation now creating co-educational opportunities.” Working lifeMy first job after University was in Leicester working for the Prince’s Trust – it involved training and managing volunteers to work with people in care and ex-offenders. l loved running courses and this educational thread was picked up later in my…
David Ravel 1999 – Wealth Management
David Ravel (LGS 1999) has a varied career and splits his time between finance and sports, media and entertainment. A recent project he has been involved with as an executive producer is the semi-biographical film about Robbie Williams’ rise to fame. We caught up with David to find out more about his time at School…
Deniz Gunby 1999 – Managing Director
“It requires hard work to get anywhere and you need to keep working hard to stay there.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about some of your fondest memories? Rugby Tour to Chile Argentina in 1998. What was the best thing about School? The collegiate atmosphere and that teachers cared about your performance. How…
Tom Fanthorpe 1999 – Computational Fluid Dynamics Team Leader
“As computing power increases rapidly, and the benefits of improved efficiency result in large performance gains on the racetrack, Computational Fluid Dynamics is becoming ever more popular.” I was fortunate enough during the summer following my graduation in 2003 to be offered a job at what was then BAR Formula One Team. I began my…
Nathan Smith 1995 – Senior Vice President of Strategy
“Adaptability and attitude, in many situations hard skills can be taught but attitude, adaptability, critical thinking are key skills to most modern job roles.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about some of your fondest memories? My fondest memory at school were my A-Level days, the switch between teachers being teachers, to them being…
Richard Davies 1986 – Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth
“As much as you possibly can, pursue a career you enjoy. Change jobs when you stop learning. Don’t be afraid to fail.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about some of your fondest memories? Playing rugby at 10 acres. U14 Rugby tour to NW England with John Weitzel (1982?). Ed Thorpe’s pep talks to…
Adam Byer 1991 – Owner & Founder of Byer Koi Farm
“I wish I’d have known better about how to leverage the positives at the time and that going through those things is a key part of growth and development. Be kind to yourself when you hit a snag.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of Loughborough Grammar School? Great friendships, adventures…
Roger Kerridge (LGS 1976) – Risk Manager & Credit Underwriter
Risk Manager and Credit Underwriter, Lloyds Bank PlcYour Loughborough StoryHow has your time at Loughborough Grammar School influenced your life and career? How to be confident but not arrogant, ambitious but not materialistic. Dealing with people at various levels within the Bank and externally has been a crucial part of the role. The School provided…
Tom’s Story
“Thank you for giving someone a chance to excel in an environment that was incredibly suited to them, in a world of unequal opportunity where he might not be proud of how far he’s come.” Tom joined Loughborough Grammar School in Year 7 from a local primary school and grew in confidence and capability, inspired…
Jeremy Walsh 1972 – Serial Innovator
“Aim high and believe yourself capable of great things.” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of Loughborough Grammar School? I had a wonderful time at LGS. I enjoyed the lessons, the teachers and was taken through the Remove A streamed route so that I took my GCSEs and A-Levels a year…
Loughborough High School Alumna
Laura Bessell 1995 – Group Chief Operating Officer
My favourite subject during my time at LHS was always Maths. I was quite an all-rounder, but I liked Maths as I found it easy to understand. When it came to choosing my A Levels, I was adamant I was going to study medicine and had dreams of becoming a forensic psychiatrist profiling murderers. I…
Sophie Costello 1996 – CEO & Founder of Costello Medical Consulting
“For anyone wanting to build their own company I would say go for it! Starting Costello Medical is one of the best decisions I have ever made” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories or your fondest memory of your time at Loughborough High School? My fondest memories are the friendships I…
Kirsty Miall 2003 – Global Marketing Director
What does your role involve? Leading the global marketing for children’s brands such as Care Bears, Holly Hobbie, and Madballs. How has your time at School influenced your life and career? LHS opened up so many doors for me and gave me the confidence to push myself further than I thought I could go. What…
Polly Burdell 2009 – Director
“I felt it was a good idea to study a broad subject at university, allowing me the potential to enter into a variety of different sectors afterwards.” I started as a junior, mentored by a fabulous boss who I was able to shadow, meeting and managing clients and targeting new ways to find business. This…
Sophie Hainsworth 2008 – CEO & Co-Founder
“I had now found the right role but knew that professional services would restrict my creativity.” My current business, LoyalFree, is a phone app for towns and cities. It lists digital loyalty schemes, events, trails and more for over 15 UK locations and is rapidly expanding. We partner with Business Improvement Districts and we started…
Hannah Pountain 2005 – Director of Merchandising
Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of your time at Loughborough Grammar School? I have only the fondest memories of my time at both LHS and Fairfield. My parents always used to say that “school days are the best days of your life” and it really was true for me. I…
Hannah Doyle 2002 – Celebrity Journalist & Author
“I left Loughborough High with far more than a bunch of A Levels in my back pocket.” After uni, I returned to Leicestershire and spent a year studying Journalism as a post-grad at De Montfort University. Following that, I got my first job as a Features Writer at South West News Service, a press agency…
Amy Holt 2000 – Music Producer & Law Partner
“Friendships are one of the most valuable things to cultivate. Look after them, look after your friends – and they will look after you.” Do you have any standout memories from your time at LHS? Ah so many! I spent lots and lots of time in the music block – we used to go into…
Joanna Barnden 1990 – Author
Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of your time at Loughborough High School? I came to LHS in Year 9 so missed the first years but everyone was very welcoming and I made some wonderful friends. I especially loved sixth form and having a common room to make tea and coffee…
Amy’s Story
“To those who contributed toward my bursary, my gratitude is immense. Their generosity allowed me to grow, learn, and pursue a career in public health and medicine, a career that suits me well, I am passionate about and know makes a difference in society. Without their support, none of this would have been possible, and…
Fatima’s Story
Fatima’s Story “To the donors who supported my place, thank you for allowing me to have an environment that felt like family and giving me a gift which is truly lifelong.” In 2016, Fatima joined Loughborough High School Sixth Form to study Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology, thanks to the generous support of the Old Girls’…
Laura Sutherland 2004 – Executive Assistant & Programme Officer
“Try not to rule things out and limit yourself- you are capable of so many things, and can create your own opportunities” Your Loughborough Story Can you tell us about your memories of your time at Loughborough High School? I started in 1997, in UIIIS, and our form room was upstairs in the Charles Block.…
OLCS Alumni
Katie Mitchell 2014 – Animation Production
“You will always make it work. If in ten years you think “this is not for me” that’s okay, use that time to find out what is for you. Leave your hometown, really see what is out there. Home will always be where you left it. “ Katie Mitchell (OLCS 2014) Your Loughborough Story Can…
Alex Richards 1997 – Head of Safeguarding at English Football League
“I don’t really believe in looking back or wanting to change the past. I am who I am because of all the choices I have made and things I have done. I just look forward, hoping to be better today than I was yesterday and live in the moment.” Alex Richards (OLCS 1997) Head of…
