Which years you were at Grainville school?
I attended Grainville school between 1987 and 1992.
What was your biggest challenge at school?
Initially it was finding my way amongst a large group of diverse people and deciding what sort of person I wanted to be as it felt like a fresh start. Later I struggled with a perception of being the sporty one and really had to push hard to convince teachers I was intelligent too and had a voice.
What was your greatest achievement at school?
Quite honestly, it was the lifelong friends I met and still spend time with, some of which are teachers in their own right, even at Grainville, can you guess who?
Favourite lesson/activity?
I really enjoyed Science as Mr Newbery was an excellent and interesting teacher alongside all sports.
Which aspects of Grainville School helped you become the person you are today?
It was a relatively newly built school at the time and the teachers gave me encouragement and support to be the best version of me.
Favourite memory of Grainville school?
For me it will always be the close friends I met and the unshakable bond we now have. As “grown ups” we still enjoy our Grainville stories and reminisce about and the classmates we wished we had asked out and feel sad about the ones no longer with us.
What path did you take and who inspired you along the way to get to where you are today?
Following my project trident time with Citi Bank I decided to go into Finance after A level’s at Hautlieu and that is over 30 years ago and I have been fairly successful. The inspiration for success came from a number of teachers, Mr Newbury who I mentioned earlier who taught me to be curious and not afraid to show my strength. Mr De La Haye who always supported and encouraged me in my sporting endeavours, Captaining the various Grainville teams and representing Jersey at Football and a number of other disciplines alongside being the youngest Black Belt in Britain at the tender age of 12. And last but by no means least is Tracey Turmel or Miss Geordie as we remember her, a newly qualified and very beautiful English teacher who lit a fire under my desire to read interesting and varied books. To this day I have at least three books on the go at any one time and proud to consider Tracey a friend.
Favourite aspects of your job?
In my current role, as Head of Financial Intermediaries for Investec Private Bank, I am responsible for the strategy and performance of this division of the Bank. A long side working with some very professional colleagues in my team I also get to add value to International Financial Intermediaries and put into effect the relationship building and communication skills I learnt throughout life, particularly at Grainville.
What advice would you give to students looking at their career options?
Be truly focused on who YOU want to be and not what anyone else wants. Happiness is a state of mind and looking after your own mental and emotional wellbeing is far more important than what clothes you wear, car you drive, how many likes a photo has or how many friends / followers you have. Be kind to ALL people from day one as you never know where that person will be in the future or what effect a badly chosen word or action will have on someone, this effects the reputation / brand you are putting into the world. The future skills and job opportunities have never changed as fast as they do right now so think ahead and choose a path that you can be proud of and will put a smile on your face each day!