Current Role:  A Partner, helping to lead a London communications agency after working almost 20 years at the BBC.

Career Highlights:  Covering politics at Westminster and around the UK for BBC television and radio, interviewing prime ministers and cabinet members, and being on the spot as the big events happened in politics and wider news for  many years.

What path did you take after leaving school?  I did my A levels at Wyedean, an English degree at Oxford then joined a local paper at Brighton.

What advice would you give your school-age self? Calm down but still aim high. And that lumberjack shirt you seem to wear every weekend, maybe change it up occasionally.

What’s your proudest achievement so far? What my kids have done.

…in your Own Words  “My English teacher Annie Wales transformed so many lives. She made aiming high, thinking deeply and questioning authority the natural thing to do. Brilliant, fun, thought provoking and engaging – the rest of life should be more like those lessons.”

Formed in the Forest of Dean in the early 1990s, EMF, an abbreviation for Epsom Mad Funkers –quickly rose to fame with their infectious energy, genre-blending sound, and defiant spirit. While most of the band’s core members attended Heywood School (now SGS Forest High) in Cinderford, guitarist and songwriter Ian Dench hailed from nearby Stroud. Together, they forged a sound that would take the world by storm.

Their debut single “Unbelievable” became a global sensation, hitting No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and securing a place in 90s pop culture history. Their debut album Schubert Dip went platinum, and the band toured internationally, earning a reputation for exhilarating live performances and a sound that fused alternative rock with danceable beats.

Over the years, EMF continued to release music and perform, with each member branching into creative fields ranging from teaching to solo projects. Despite changes and the tragic loss of bassist Zac Foley in 2002, the band remained a beloved symbol of Forest of Dean talent and creativity.

In 2025, EMF made a heartfelt return to their roots with a performance at Cindifest, the Forest of Dean’s homegrown celebration of local music and heritage. During the festival, the band was honoured with the unveiling of a blue plaque and they visited SGS Forest High, commemorating their journey from school corridors to international stages. It was a proud moment for the community and a fitting tribute to a group whose legacy continues to inspire.

“It’s great to be back where it all started,” said frontman James Atkin, echoing the sentiment of the crowd and fellow bandmates during the plaque presentation, a full-circle moment for local legends who never forgot their roots.

Current Role: Head of Campus (Forest Sports Education & Yeovil Town FC)

Career Highlights: Working with a local provider to achieve outstanding progress for students 12 years in a row.

Helping to set up a University sports programme here in the Forest of Dean!

Being promoted to help run the education at the campus I work at – Forest Sports Education. This involves managing staff, leading meetings and driving improvements on campus.

Leading CPD sessions across Virtual Learning UK (who are based all over the country.

Being promoted to run multiple campuses across the country. I have been responsible for campuses in the Forest of Dean, Yeovil, Dorking, Horley and Farnbourgh.

What path did you take after leaving school?
After leaving school I attended Hartpury College and achieved DDD on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport. After that I attended the University of Gloucestershire achieving a First Class Honours Degree in Sport Education AND Sports Science. Upon completing my degree I studied a PGCE in Primary School Teaching at the University of West of England

What advice would you give your school-age self?Do something you are passionate about. You are more likely to work harder and achieve better outcomes. I would also recommend getting as much information and advice on future careers as possible. Make sure you are well informed of the pathway you want to take.

What’s your proudest achievement so far?
Helping a local provider achieve outstanding progress 12 years in a row. Also helping to set up a University sports programme within the Forest of Dean. This is something which is really unique and is something I am very proud of.

Career Highlights: Being invited to talk at Gloucester Rugby Club about how our programme works and the unique pathway we have for students.

What path did you take after leaving school? I went to college RFDC to study a BTEC National Diploma in Sport course and then onto Gloucestershire University to study a joint honours degree of Sports Coaching and Education.

From there I left university and joined Prostars as a sports coach – going into primary schools to deliver curriculum PE. After 3 years I then got promoted to joint manager and now I oversee the delivery of Prostars in schools and the community and I also work with the staff at Forest Sports Education to oversee the student pathway.

What advice would you give your school-age self?You have to be willing to go above and beyond in everything that you do and good things will then come to people who work hard, honestly and promote work colleagues along the way.

What’s your proudest achievement so far?
For me, the development of both Prostars and FSE and how we have continued to offer the employment pathway but to a greater level. This pathway is crucial to our success.