SOUNDBITES
Congratulations to Christopher Pollard( 98-07) on his recent appointment as Legal Director & Barrister to the Intellectual Property team at Edwin Coe LLP. He joins the firm from Field Seymour Parkes LLP where he led their Intellectual Property team, having previously worked at Anderson Law and Freshfields. After leaving Pocklington School, Christopher did a BSc in Environmental Science at the University of Nottingham followed by a Law conversion course, and the Bar Professional Training Course( BPTC). He was called to the bar in October 2012.
James Watkins( 98-09) was promoted to Head of Transactions at Dorrington PLC, a property investment and development company based in London. James joined the firm in 2019 as an Investment Manager rising to Senior Investment Manager in 2022. Prior to this, James worked as a surveyor at Savills from 2014 to 2019 having graduated from Oxford Brooks University with a degree in Real Estate Management.
Ollie Wride( 96-07) was named as Male Artist of the Year at the Boisdale Music Awards in November 2025. Held in Canary Wharf, London, the awards celebrate achievements in music genres such as jazz, blues, soul, and reggae. Hosted by Jools Holland, the 2025 event honoured artists such as Joss Stone( British Icon), Guy Chambers( Legacy Award), and Nitin Sawhney( Outstanding Contribution to British Music).
2010- 2019
Laura Arnott( 06-13) recently completed her PhD at the University of Manchester, where she currently lectures in Screen Studies. She will have work published by Peter Lang and Sidestone Press later this year. In September, she presented her new research on game studies and dystopia at Charles University, Prague.
Emma Burke( 08-18), a Music Teacher in York and excellent singer, played the role of Cosette in Les Misérables at Leeds Grand Theatre in April 2025. This was the amateur premiere of the show in celebration of its 40th Anniversary.
Ben Carlile( 07-18) was voted the coaches Player of the Season 2024-25 for Sale FC. Director of Rugby, Jonathan Keep, said,“... it often goes under the radar as a front row some of the work he gets through. Consistently putting in 60-, 70- and 80-minute performances all season at that standard.” Ben, a loosehead prop, marked his second season as a fully signed player with a bang, after previously coming on loan via Sharks.
Jonathan Chu( 08-12) has taken on a new role leading Group Strategy at Monzo Bank. Before joining Monzo, he was a Management Consultant at Bain & Company, where he gained extensive experience in strategy and a range of growth topics, having worked across banking, fintech, wealth management, and payments. Prior to that, Jonathan worked in investment banking( mergers and acquisitions) at Lazard, following internships at NatWest and UBS.
Fergus Croston( 07-18) was recently promoted to the position of Junior Power Trader at Mercuria, one of the world’ s five largest independent energy and commodity trading groups. Based in the London office, Fergus has been working for the company for almost three years. Prior to joining them, he did a degree in Mathematics & Philosophy followed by an MSc in Mathematical Finance at the University of Birmingham.
Ben Dawes( 01-10) started a new position as Head of B2B( GB & Ireland) at Dyson, the iconic appliances and technology company. Following a degree in Politics and International Relations and a Master’ s in Business Management at Bath University, Ben joined Dyson in 2016 as a Media Executive. He subsequently held roles in retail and product marketing, PR and business development including a secondment to the Chicago office in 2018 to 2019, before his latest appointment.
Lydia Edwards-Massie( 99-10) recently launched Proper Place Projects, a professional organising and decluttering business. After more than a decade in marketing, project management, and internal communications, she now helps individuals create calm, functional spaces by decluttering and organising in a way that works for them, putting everything in its proper place and making space for what matters. Lydia explained:“ I’ m a trained member of APDO( the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers), the UK’ s leading professional body for organisers. She particularly enjoys supporting clients with Swedish Death Cleaning projects- a thoughtful, empowering approach to sorting through belongings and keeping only what adds value. Originating from the Swedish term döstädning( dö = death, städning = cleaning), it’ s a practice that helps reduce future overwhelm for loved ones, offering fewer decisions, less stress, and more time for connection and care.” For more information, visit the website: www. properplaceprojects. co. uk.
Chloe Griggs( 11-18) is retraining as a Solicitor after three rewarding years as a Teacher of Classics. She will be completing a law conversion course and the SQE assessments at BPP before taking up a training contract at Walker Morris LLP in 2027. Chloe has a degree in Classics from Durham University and did her PGCE in Secondary Latin with Classics at Homerton College, Cambridge. She started her teaching career at The Grammar School in Leeds before moving to Ashville College Harrogate during which time she was promoted to Head of Classics.
Laura Ingham( 13-19) graduated as a veterinary surgeon in 2025 from the University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science having been awarded the Veterinary Instrumentation Prize for Highest Overall Achievement in the BVM BVS Degree prize. She has since commenced employment as an Intern at Oakham Veterinary Hospital( Equine).
Isabella Jackson( 11-18) started a new position as Digital Marketing Manager at PwC, one of the‘ big 4’ international accounting and professional services firms. Isabella completed a degree in Business Management at the University of Reading gaining
First Class honours before joining The Hut Group as a Performance Marketing Executive on their graduate scheme. She advanced to the position of Paid Media Manager at creative agency Trunk BBI before moving to PwC in February.
Laura Reeson( 06-12) completed a First Class honours degree in Adult Nursing at Birmingham City University. Now fully employed, Laura serves in the Royal Air Force and aims to join the Tactical Medical Wing that provides global operational support.
Emma Stewart( 16-19) graduated with First Class honours in Textile Design from Loughborough University in 2024. She showcased her natureinspired artwork, receiving several commissions for her pieces some of which were featured in her final degree show at the University’ s School of Design and Creative Arts in June 2024. Following a move to Edinburgh, Emma has started a career in real estate as a negotiator for Savills. She continues to take commissions for her artwork in her spare time. For more information, follow @ emma. stewart. studios on Instagram.
Archie Williams( 09-13) has recently been promoted to Managing Director for Jamaica Flour Mills, a division of Archer Daniels Midland, based in Kingston Jamaica. Prior to this he was based in Chicago trading commodities for ADM for four years.
2020- PRESENT
After graduating, Hedley Benn-Harris( 17-21) is working at RSM in Glasgow as a Corporate Tax Assistant, studying to become a Chartered Accountant through ICAS with the option to become a Chartered Tax Accountant.
After earning an MEng( Hons) in Civil and Structural Engineering in 2025, David Clifton( 13-20) will join his industry year sponsor company as a temporary works Design Engineer. Before starting his position, he plans to head to Whistler, Canada for a welldeserved ski season.
Danny Prescott( 09-22), who graduated in 2025 with a degree in Accounting and Finance, is beginning his career in the auditing field at Smailes Goldie in Hull, with aspirations to become a Chartered Accountant.
Henry Rodmell( 16-23) has continued to play rugby since leaving Pocklington School. He is currently playing for the Army U23s and was recently selected for the Inter-Service squad and in the starting squad in their match against the Navy. He also played in their game against the RAF U23s at Cardiff Arms Park in December.
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