SOUNDBITES
Prior to his appointment , Iain worked his way up to Managing Director with Accenture after starting with the firm as an analyst following his degree in Politics at Newcastle University .
Nick Hobbs ( 99-04 ) obtained a degree in Zoology from Newcastle University after he left Pocklington , followed by a master ’ s in business and sustainability from the University of Leeds . He spent six years working for a London-based safari company , leading their Zimbabwe programme and acting as a senior consultant for Botswana and Tanzania . Nick then changed his focus to environmental and sustainability management , starting with a role at Workman LLP in London in 2016 . In 2021 , he became the Client Sustainability Lead at Jones Lang LaSalle ( JLL ), before relocation to Amsterdam in 2022 with his family , to assume the position of Senior Environmental Manager for Mileway , Europe ’ s largest owner of last mile logistics real estate facilities .
Simon Hornby ( 00-06 ) has been voted in as the new chairman of Driffield RUFC . He has been involved with the club both on and off the pitch since he was four years old . As a player , he progressed right through from the minis to the junior and then senior teams . Once he stopped playing , he took on the role of fixtures secretary and sat on the club executive committee before taking up the chairman ’ s position at the start of the 2024-25 season .
Sarah Hodgson ( née Gough , 96-07 ) was promoted to Director at global PR and public affairs agency , Grayling . Sarah joined the company in 2018 and helps lead the North of England teams , working across Brand Communications and Corporate Affairs .
Joshua Overington ( 01-04 ), chef patron of former York-based Le Cochon Aveugle , opened British restaurant Restaurant Mýse in the village of Hovingham in summer 2023 with his wife Victoria . Within only seven months of opening , the restaurant received its first Michelin star and was the only Yorkshire restaurant to be awarded at this year ’ s ceremony . The Michelin Guide described them as “ Excellent ingredients - cooked expertly - are the backbone of the dishes , which deliver originality and great depth of flavour ”.
Killian Monson ( 93-04 ) spent seven years in Manchester in the world of stand-up comedy . He performed at venues across the country , including the renowned Comedy Store and made the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival . He had the privilege of collaborating with and opening for some of the nation ’ s most celebrated household names . However , in 2012 he changed direction and embarked on a new career path in post-production . As a video editor , colourist and VFX artist , Killian has had the opportunity to work with leading media organisations such as the BBC and ITV . Currently , he is employed as an Environment and VFX Artist in the video games industry . He also tutors part-time in film and television for the Pauline Quirke Academy and coaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu .
John Peel ( Former staff , 80-06 ) history teacher , and his wife Barbara ( Headmaster ’ s Assistant Secretary , 93-98 ) came out of musical retirement to perform at the Pocklington Heritage Society Beanfeast . In addition , John has researched and written a historical interpretation board for Bielby . It traces significant developments over the last few thousand years , uncovering a few surprises along the way .
Emily Soanes ( 04-09 ) bumped into Pocklington School teacher Patrick Dare in August 2024 at the Heslington Parkrun in York . Despite a hectic family life with 3-year-old twins and a new 10-week-old baby to look after , Emily was first over the finish line in a time of 17:35 and achieved the highest age grade score ( WAVA ) of 84.55 % in a field of 287 runners – a fantastic achievement ! Emily joined a running group in January 2023 and managed to keep training until she was 36 weeks pregnant . She says she has been lucky to bounce straight back into running after giving birth and her times have never been so quick ! Although a little way off still , her aim is to represent England in races in the future . In her professional life , Emily did a degree in Fashion Marketing at Northumbria University before joining John Lewis as a childrenswear designer . She has since set up her own business , Little and Lime , designing children ’ s artwork , cards , and wedding stationary . She has also retrained as a website designer to take on website projects whenever she has free time .
Christopher Steel ( 97-04 ) enjoyed a successful career in the late-night entertainment industry in Leeds , working his way up the ladder in the management programme and obtaining a degree in business and marketing management for late-night venues . During his career , Christopher is proud to have secured the title of being the top-ranked nightlife venue in the UK at the Bar Entertainment and Dance Association awards and for achieving ambassador roles for both the Leeds and Nottingham areas . In the last ten years , Christopher has transitioned seamlessly from the late-night industry into the home retail market where he is currently employed as a senior regional manager for the UK ’ s largest home furnishings retailer .
Oliver Turner ( 98-05 ) has been appointed to the role of Assistant Professor of the University of Warwick , in its Academic Development Centre . In this role , he is responsible for training PhD students from all departments to prepare them for teaching undergraduate courses .
Rob Webber ( 94-04 ) has moved to Saracens rugby club as assistant forwards and transition coach for the 2024-25 season . Rob is a former England hooker and joined the North London club this summer after a period in America coaching with the Chicago Hounds . Prior to that , Rob was head coach at Jersey Reds and has vast experience as a Premiership player with Wasps , Bath and Sale Sharks , as well as representing England 16 times .
2010 - 2019
Charlie Cawood ( 99-10 ) runs an e-commerce venture alongside a business partner he met during his university days . He has a busy life , dividing his time between his home in York and his wife ’ s wedding business , located in the south of France .
Liam Corbally ( 08-12 ) is working for the Tees , Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust as their Head of Co-Creation . He helps people with lived experience of using mental health services have a voice and be part of how services are created and developed . He says : “ I wouldn ’ t now be able to do what I am doing without the support of school when I had a really difficult time with my own mental health . It ’ s a pleasure to be able to pay this forward .”
Emily Crockford ( 14-18 ) has been busy building a career in digital marketing since graduating with First Class Honours in Fashion Photography from Leeds Arts University in 2021 . Her first role was with Leeds-based hospitality firm Arc Inspirations as a Digital Marketing Assistant before she moved to haircare business Hairburst Ltd in 2022 in a CRM role . Working her way up to Digital & Performance Executive in June 2023 , she was promoted to Paid Media Manager in January 2024 .
Tiggy Elwes ( 09-18 ) was honoured to receive the Freedom to the City of London and admittance to the Worshipful Company of Bakers earlier this year after her success at London South Bank University ’ s National Bakery School in 2022 . She achieved the Company ’ s top student award on top of her First Class honours degree in Baking and Science Technology . In October , she moved up in the
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