Ongoing Excellence

Annamaria left Eltham College to study Modern Languages at Queens’ College Cambridge. She entered financial services after graduating, specialising in wealth management. She is now recognised as seasoned business leader and highly qualified wealth management professional with expertise and over 25 years’ experience in international financial services, gained from working in both larger FTSE quoted and smaller independent privately owned companies. Most recently, after overseeing the sale of the wealth management business of C Hoare and Co which she headed, she decided it was time to set up her own business and set up Owl Private Office, a partnership specialised in providing strategic investment consulting services. She is also a non-executive on the boards of Schroder & Co and the Jersey Financial Services Commission as well as serving on the Queens’ College Cambridge investment committee.

After leaving Eltham College to study Mathematics, Alex moved onto Marine Biology, in which she has a PhD. She is now Head of Exhibitions, Learning and Outreach at the Natural History Museum. She is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of the Museum’s public offer of galleries, exhibitions and events as well as the Museum’s national programme – this includes taking Dippy the dinosaur on a three-year tour of the UK. Alex is also responsible for the Natural History Museum’s sister museum in Tring. She leads five teams – Design, Exhibitions & Interpretation, Learning & Audiences, National Programme, Tring – and has responsibility for around 100 people.

Suzanne gained her degree in Architecture in Manchester and her masters in London. She worked in the West End for 10 years before setting up her practice, Suzanne Brewer Architects, in 2007. The practice went on to have success in the RIBA, RICS & Grand Designs Awards. The practice has been featured in various publications including The Times, The Evening Standard, Architectural Magazines and Grand Designs TV show. Suzanne is proud to be working on the current plans for Old Elthamians’ Rugby Club in College Meadow, within the grounds of Eltham College.

Anna went on from Eltham College to gain a First Class Degree in Geography at Durham University followed by a doctorate in Social Sciences from Oxford University. She then moved on to a role at Boston Consulting Group in London before joining the BBC where she held a number of senior positions, most significantly the Chief Operating Officer and MD of Production for BBC Studios. As MD of Production for the BBC, Anna was responsible for the business and operational leadership of all in-house Production areas around the globe. As Group COO, Anna was responsible for core operations, including Technology, Supply Chain and Risk Advisory. She also sat on the BBC Studios Executive Committee and the BBC’s Commercial Holding Board. In December 2018, Anna was appointed CEO of ITN. Anna holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The advice I’d give my Sixth Form self: Look for a career in an area you love and are energised by.

Sophia moved from Eltham College to Bristol University where she graduated in 2007 with First Class honours in Politics and French. Sophia is the political adviser to Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow City Minister. In addition, she serves as Chair of Labour in the City. In 2018, she published an anthology, ‘Banking Beyond the Crisis,’ to reflect on the tenth anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse, which was launched at a reception with former chancellor Alistair Darling and featured voices from across the sector. Outside of Westminster, Sophia is an advocate for women in finance and in 2016, she launched a report on the representation of women in the industry in association with the Institute for Chartered Accountants for England and Wales.

Kylie left Eltham College to study for five years at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London where she graduated in 2008 and has since worked at various small animal practices and charities, both in the UK and overseas. Kylie is currently Head Vet at Ashmore Veterinary Centre in Orpington which focusses on first opinion work and referral surgery as well as some charity and breeding work. Kylie enjoys the demands and variety of Veterinary Medicine noting “We don’t really have a typical day- Every day is different!”

The advice I would give my Sixth Form self: Keep going and do not give up! I didn’t get into Vet school the first time of trying, but applied again after my results and was accepted.

Olivia is an airline Captain at EasyJet, flying the Airbus 320 series. She graduated from Edinburgh University in 2007 with a degree in Geology with Physical Geography, having spent her free time with the East of Scotland University Air Squadron. In April 2009, she graduated at the top of her course at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, with an Airline Transport Pilots Licence and a degree in Airline Transport Management. Olivia has flown for EasyJet out of London Stansted airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport where she was promoted to Captain. Olivia is now based at London Gatwick Airport and is part of a team of female pilots at EasyJet who are encouraging more women into Aviation through talks and events, in addition to EasyJet’s Amy Johnson Initiative.

The advice I would give my Sixth Form self: It’s hard work but it’s totally achievable and well within your capabilities. Don’t let what other people say deter you.

After leaving Eltham to study for a BSc in Ergonomics (Human Factors) at Loughborough University, Annabel spent two and a half years at leading investment bank, Goldman Sachs where she worked in the Human Capital Management division, creating and running training programmes for their Investment Management Division, high performing female associates, and delivering Diversity initiatives both globally and EMEA specific. In January 2018, Annabel joined MiddletonMurray, a Social Enterprise that places young people into their first job and apprenticeships, as the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Events. Annabel also holds an MSc in Human Resource Management (CIPD accredited) from Edinburgh University The advice I would give my Sixth Form self: Take the time to think about and explore your strengths and interests inside and outside of school. Try new things and don’t be afraid to fail – everything you do will either be a success or a learning experience.