CAREERS AND AWARDS
CAREERS AND BUSINESS
NETWORK ROUND UP
In November, the Careers and Business
Network event at school featured guest speaker
Nicholas Pollard (69-76), Group Chief
Executive of Cory Riverside Energy.
Whilst
at Pocklington School, Nick won the BBC TV
Young Scientist of the Year. During the event, Nick
gave a fascinating account of his experiences in
construction, civil engineering, recycling and energy
recovery, including working as an advisor to the UK
Government.
A sixth form student commented: “Thanks for this
fantastic experience, which is as the most impressive
talk I have ever attended. After Nick’s talk, he spent
an hour talking to students, and gave several pieces
of advice about my future plans. I cannot stress how
helpful that was, and how much I enjoyed it all.”
The Leeds event in March took place at the offices
of law firm Schofield Sweeney LLP. Headmaster
Toby Seth conducted a Q&A session with Old
Pocklingtonians Jodie Hill (00-06) and David
Strachan (67-77) who shared with guests their
insights into the many aspects of working in the legal
profession.
Sixth Form student, Hebe Quinney, said: “I am so
pleased I attended this event and was able to listen
to David and Jodie. They were both inspirational
and it was fascinating to hear how their careers
had developed and the types of things they are
involved with. Having the opportunity to chat to
Jodie was fantastic and she immediately offered me
some work experience with her law firm, which is an
amazing opportunity for me.”
The third event was at The Farmer’s Club in London
in May. Guest speaker, Will Treasure (74-79) who
is featured elsewhere in the magazine, focussed
on digital strategies and e-commerce. He spoke
to guests about his experiences of working with
major international and national retailers, and how
the birth of the internet has transformed how they
interact with their customers. He also spoke of his
motivations behind setting up his own consultancy
business and the importance of integrity in business.
Dates for the next Careers & Business Network
events will be announced soon.
The PSF Careers and Business Network is open
to everyone in the wider Pocklington School
community. For details visit www.pocklingtonschool.
com/Careers-and-networking-opportunities.
INDUSTRY RECOGNITION FOR ARCHITECT
BEN STONE
It’s been a hugely successful year for architect Ben Stone (93-95), whose
company Stone + Associates Architects has won a series of industry awards.
In February, the company won the Technology category of the prestigious AJ
Architecture Awards for its designs including the use of energy blades in a lake
linked with a heat pump that ensures long-term environmental and sustainable
heating and hot water system located at Welham Hall, near Malton.
In June, Stone + Associates’ won the regional LABC award for the Best
Commercial Building/Scheme for the design of a new entrance building for the
Rodgers furniture store at Monks Cross, York. As a regional finalist, it is now
being judged in the national LABC Awards representing Yorkshire.
The practice also received an award for Best Professional Partnership relating
to its work with the North Yorkshire LABC for delivering several technically
innovative, energy-saving refurbishments of a large houses in the region saving
huge amounts of energy.
Ben said: “The awards are great because the peer and public recognition
underpins that we are doing the right thing. The AJ technology awards are
particularly gratifying because it confirms that our work is innovative and industry
leading within our profession.”
Whilst at school, Ben received an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, an award
which identifies future leaders in engineering, computing and technical design;
this also gave him a “massive boost.” Ben is grateful for the support he received
from the Art & Design Department at Pocklington School, where he thrived as
a sixth form boarder.
Ben Stone (centre) with William and James Browne, joint MDs of Rodgers of York
(photo credit: Frank Dwyer, York Press)
He added: “Joining a school oozing with vibrance, enthusiasm and a go-get attitude
was amazing for me – I loved it. My housemaster, Iain McDougall, encouraged me
to use all the facilities and participate in activities I wouldn’t have considered. The
whole package provided me a great stepping stone toward where I am today.”
Stone + Associates Architects is based in Malton and operates mostly within
a 50-mile radius working. Ben says: “It makes a real difference to work within a
community you know and understand. We get to change places for the better and
see the positive effects adding value has.”
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