I was very keen on sport and played cricket, rugby and Fives for various school and university teams. Eton Fives was my main sport and I was public school boy’s champion (with Philip Hall) in 1963 and later won the Eton Fives amateur championship twice with Stuart Courtney.
My business career began with Spicer and Pegler, Chartered Accountants, and many of my clients were prominent City of London businesses in banking, shipping, stock broking and insurance. For 3 years I was the International Executive Director at the firm, travelling to over 25 different countries and in 1986 became the Managing Partner in New York. In 1990 I joined an Investment Banking boutique called Phoenix Securities and after a sale of the business was a Managing Director at Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette. For the last 10 years I was Chairman of Lexicon Partners and have chaired other companies in Insurance, Real Estate and Tourism.
Do visit the
Members Area to ensure that you're certain to receive all our communications, and please consider contributing to a Bursary to help fund a boy at the School. If you would like to make a contribution (for a little as £10 a month) click
here to find out more and download a Gift Aid and Banker's Order Form.
CLS Governor's Dinner
One of the last events of my Presidential year was an invite to the CLS Governor’s Dinner held this year at The Drapers Company Hall.It is a magnificent venue with elegant reception rooms and a beautiful dining room which was used, I gather ,to film part of The Kings Speech.The Bishop of London,who had two boys at the School was the guest speaker.A most enjoyable and convivial occasion.
Finally, the AGM was the last event of my year and I was able to thank the General and Executive Committee Members for all their support and also Karen Sage whose role is now invaluable to the JCC. Also, particular thanks to David Levin and Gary Griffin for making me feel so welcome at the School on many occasions during my year.
Prize Giving at The Guildhall 31st October 2011
One of the highlights of a Presidential year is to lunch at the Guildhall with the Lord Mayor and Sheriff in attendance prior to the annual distribution of prizes.
The Guildhall is a wonderful setting for the Prize Giving and the declamation in praise of John Carpenter was, as usual, given by the Head of School. Having done this myself some 47 years ago I remember being extremely nervous particularly because in those days we had to learn it off by heart. However, the present Head of School Nicholas Hulbert delivered an outstanding speech with great aplomb hardly using any notes at all. The Chairman of Governors and Headmaster brought us up to date on the many achievements of the School both academic and extra-curricular. There were a very large number of prizes awarded keeping the Lord Mayor on his feet for about one and a half hours! The occasion ended with the Chamber Choir singing Five Hebrew Love Songs.
A wonderful occasion reminding us of the close links with the Corporation of London.
Great evening at the School on 19 October
Great evening at the School on 19 October – well over 100 OC's with leaving dates on the 60's and prior met at the School to celebrate the School's 25th Anniversary on the present site.
The evening began with drinks followed by a very upbeat talk from the Headmaster, David Levin. Further highlights were an excellent and interesting talk on the history of the School by the School’s Archivist, Terry Heard, focusing on the previous buildings in Milk Street and Victoria Embankment. OC’s also enjoyed tours of the School accompanied by Senior Boys.
Finally, more drinks and canapés were served giving the opportunity for old acquaintances and friendships to be renewed.
Altogether a most successful evening for which thanks go to the School for hosting the evening.
The Presidential year seems to be going by very quickly...
After a long summer break there are a number of events over the next couple of months. I attended the 1917 Society Dinner on 12th September at the School and as always we were given some very eloquent, impressive and interesting talks by three of the senior boys.
I am particularly looking forward to the Financial Services and Legal Dinner on 7th November at Bakers’ Hall (9 Harp Lane, EC3R 6DP) and there is still time to apply for places. A very good friend of mine, Alison Carnwath, is speaking and she will be well worth hearing from particularly at this time of uncertainty in the financial markets.
Celebrity Piano Recital
Attended wonderful piano recital at the school on Wednesday 11th May 2011.
The occasion celebrated the arrival of a new Steinway Model D Concert Grand. The well known pianist, Joanna MacGregor, performed a stunning, vibrant and varied programme which was much enjoyed. Several other OC's attended including Paul Wickham, Alan Willis and David Hobbs.
Annual Dinner - 24 March 2011
What an amazing evening - starting with drinks in the Entrance Hall, looking just the same as when we were at school, and then up the marble staircase, now carpeted, into the Great Hall for our dinner.
The buzz in the Hall during dinner was quite obvious as many renewed old friendships, discussed memories and reminisced. We enjoyed an excellent meal accompanied by suitable wines and port.
One of the many highlights of the evening included performances from the CLS boys, Joel Fisher and Tom Davidson, who entertained us with some excellent singing and trumpet playing.
The speeches seemed to fit the occasion and we were particularly honoured to have Angela Knight CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the British Banking Association, as our guest speaker. She spoke extremely well with just the right amount of serious content on the City and Banking but with a light touch as well. The Headmaster spoke about successes of the school today with lots of good humour, adding informality to the occasion.
It was a very nostalgic evening for many of us and our thanks must go to Karen Sage for all her hard work in arranging and organising the evening.
Lunch with Senior Boys
As promised update on my lunch with Senior Boys Ed Stroud, Jospeh Ataman, Sam Clinton-Davis, Orestes Nicolau and Karen Sage.
Very stimulating conversations and took the opportunity of explaining the advantages of being an active member of the JCC. In particular Karen described the various placements and work experience opportunities recently arranged by Old Boys and we asked the boys if they would be the year representatives to encourage other boys to keep in touch with the Old Citizens.
A very worthwhile occasion.
14th March 2011
I attended a school assembly yesterday morning to present an International Colours Tie to Alex Conning.
Alex is an outstanding young footballer and has had two caps for the Independent Schools Under 16 Team and was made Man of the Match in their last game against Blackburn Rovers.
He is off to Finland over the Easter Holidays to play against the Finnish National Under 16 Team. He is currently on trial at Stoke City and hopes to achieve a contract by the end of the season.
At the same assembly there were a number of other outstanding achievements by boys at the school in basketball and water polo and it is amazing to see a wide number of extra curricular activities which take place at the school.
A busy week so far...
Started the week with a JCC Committee meeting which covered the final arrangements for the Annual Dinner next week.
I was also a guest at the Old Mercers' Club Annual Luncheon at the Mercers Hall on Tuesday 15th March and received a very warm welcome from the President, Colonel Howard Stephens.
Later that day I attended a rather unusal and interesting play at the school entitled "The Witch of Edmonton". There were some excellent performances from the boys and particularly Noah Carvajal as the Dog, representing the Devil.
Looking forward to lunch with the Senior Boys on Thursday. Update to follow.
OC Legal Dinner
Attended the OC Legal Dinner on Tuesday 25th January 2011, held at the RAC Club, an excellent venue, with elegant surroundings and excellent food and drink.
I enjoyed meeting many Old Citizens over drinks including someone I hadn’t seen since our school days. I had the opportunity of briefly talking about some of the changes we are making. I talked about the importance of up-to-date communications and explained that a great deal of work was being put into the new website, however, for those who prefer old fashioned hard copy there will still be copies of the Gazette.
I also
referred to the other groups where Old Citizens with similar professional or commercial interests can get together and pointed out that one of the principal benefits of industry groups is to help boys leaving school with careers advice. Several Old Citizens have also helped with work experience placements. Also referred to the OC support for bursaries and wondered if groups such as the Legal Group might consider support of this kind.
The guest speaker was Old Citizen Graham Aaronson QC who enchanted and amused the audience with some extraordinary stories based on his professional experiences many of which cannot be repeated here as a result of Chatham House rules.
5 December 2010
Today I had the pleasure of attending the school assembly to present an International Colours tie to Fahim Adam to mark his selection for the Great Britain Fencing squad.
This is a fantastic achievement and he joins William Moore and Jack Horrix on the roster of CLS boys who are currently fencing at international level.
Well done, Fahim.
AGM Supper
Our numbers seem to be higher this year and there was a real “buzz” about the evening. In my own speech I recalled how two distinguished Old Boys had given me some critical career advice and I hope that this will continue for the benefit of younger members when they leave school or university. I was also able to congratulate the Headmaster, David Levin, on being appointed Chairman of the Headmaster’s Conference.
In reply, the Headmaster began by expressing concern about the South African rugby team which of course turned out to be ill founded since England were soundly beaten at Twickenham. However it is quite evident that the school continues to flourish with excellent exam results but just as importantly in a range of other activities. He also emphasised that against the background of financial uncertainty support for bursaries will be even more important. We were also pleased to welcome a number of senior boys from the school.
It was a most enjoyable evening and we can now look forward to our Annual Dinner which is to be held at the Old School on 24th March 2011.
AGM 24th November 2010
The report of the JCC Committee and a report from our outgoing President, Dickie Jones, highlighted that the JCC is in good health both financially and as an organisation. The changes over the past few years have placed the JCC on a sounder footing and it was encouraging to see a good attendance at the AGM.
In presenting the past President with his medal I thanked Dickie for an outstanding year as President and I know he will be a very hard act to follow. I am delighted that he remains on the JCC Committee as treasurer.
I am greatly honoured to be your new President and look forward to working closely with the General Committee and our ARO Karen Sage.
So much has been achieved over the past few years and one of my key responsibilities is to ensure that the momentum is continued. Some of the areas where we need to keep our focus, in no particular order, are:
– continuing to update and improve communications with members
– encouraging younger members to participate
– supporting our sports clubs
– encouraging professional groups and giving careers advice.
– supporting the Asquith bursary appeal
– implementing proposals of strategy group
– Reinforcing our contact with the school.
But doubtless there will be others as I become more familiar with the role.