Last year, our fabulous and fascinating visit to Mousehall was oversubscribed. There are now three late cancellations for this year's visit on Saturday 15th July. Gary Jordan (G, 1978) and Kathy are again kindly hosting us at their estate (Wadhurst TN5 6PG) where we will be quality checking their gin and now vodka production! There is no charge. After the tastings, lunch is at The Rose & Crown (we pay for ourselves). The train from Charing Cross to Wadhurst leaves CHX at 9.15am and takes 85 mins; I'll arrange a lift from the station.

With wives/partners most welcome, don't wait to RSVP 

IN THIS JULY ISSUE ...
Click on a topic to go directly to it

There but for the Grace of God … a British school under attack David “Zonk” Stobart : RIP A former Bishops Head boy visits from New Zealand – and other pleasurable OD get-togethers with ODs At last some hope in the British/SA passport struggle David Murray or David Obe? Bishops 1st XV beat RBHS in a nailbiter of a match

News from the ODU centre It’s never to early to think of Christmas Our Golfing warriors bring home the silver A walk in the park – a fabulous visit to Anglesey Abbey TIXERB — UK and Europe ODs reverse Brexit Judge not lest ye be judged – a Europe OD in Pittsburgh No stopping the meteoric rise of our UK ODs Fortunes favour the brave – our next two Finance Forum speakers announced There is plenty more happening in the Branch until the end of the year

CLICK ON  ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT

This Europe initiative having stalled for two years, the plan to extend the effective reach of the ODU and bring the UK to work more closely with ODs in Europe is now really starting to happen.
 

It is important to say that the current structure of ODU Branches in every town that has ODs living in it is not really a workable concept. Out of the 29 (28 since the Cape is technically not considered a Branch) there are really only about five which meet the criteria for a Branch (number of ODs, activities, contacts, newsletters, mentoring, etc). The rest are either too few in number or too spread out (or both) to make traditional Branch activities viable.
 

So we have moved on from the idea of Branches and Branch secretaries where areas/countries don't warrant a branch in the truest sense of the concept. And in those areas/countries we are building up a cohort of wonderful ODU Representatives. An ODU Rep is just that. On an opportunity rather than planned basis, thy will be reachable to answer queries from ODs in, passing through or moving to your country. And, if possible to connect ODs with ODS. They will try to keep their records updated and when the opportunity arises, send though snippets of local information. 

There is no expectation that they will provide a calendar of functions, or mentoring services or a job placement agency. All that is required is that they are there and contactable. Contact may be frequent or very seldom (or not at all).

Of course, they are free to arrange whatever events they choose to, but they are not obliged to. 

That  said, Natale (middle in the photo to the left, with fellow-Italian OD, Dave Steward (O, 1977 left and Beatrice at Castello di Brianza) is already prompting us to experience la dolce vita in Como this October where he says, "Lovely time for Como and a good period after everyone gets back in September?" Peter is thinking about a short break in the Languedoc next May and is connecting with Nick. And Cormac has just hosted UK and Netherlands ODs in Amsterdam and inexplicably seems up for another round. And will embrace Belgium and Luxembourg too. Max will be visiting the UK Later this year where we hope to have a Britain-Germany summit.

The EU comprises 27 countries. We now have ODU Reps for ten of them. Technically, there is no limit to how many countries, regions, or cities in which Representatives can represent the ODU, and a country can have more than one. Feel free to invite others to get hold of me. Or suggest names of ODs you know in countries who have no representation. Or put yourself forward.

The model will need to bed down and establish itself. But with the initial enthusiasm, this may be just the trick to re-energise the ODU colonies and reconnect with ODs who have moved away from the Union. And until the model beds down, ODU Representatives will not be in a position to provide job leads, but will help with settling-in advice and any other help ODs in the country may want. such as connecting with other local ODs.

Big big thanks to these ODs (there photos above) who have so willingly agreed to take on this role. ODs, when the need (want) arises should feel free to get in touch with our ODU Reps whose details are (click on the table to enlarge):
 

Let's see how this goes

In the meantime in Europe, congratulations to Costas Martalas (G, 2011) and Melina Michaletos (2013, St Cyprians) on their marriage on Sunday 25th June. The ceremony was held at the Church of the Three New Martyrs of Spetses, followed by reception at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, Spetses. Groom pictured with groomsmen, left to right: Alec Michaletos (M, 2016), Johnny Marcopoulos (Matric, Gray House), Costas,  Luke Michaletos (Grade 9, Mallett House) and Steven Manicom (M, 2011). [Apologies for the quality of the photo]


 

---

And across the Pond...

Juneteenth is an annual observance on June 19 in the USA to remember when, in 1865, Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas.

So talking of the ODU global village, Michael Enotiades (F, 2007 - Germany!!) let me know he was on a business trip to the US — first stop Pittsburgh — and wanted to be put in touch with any ODs living there. Did I know any? My twin, Zandy (S, 1973) is a judge in Pittsburgh (where he has lived for over forty years). So, rather aptly, on Juneteenth, he showed Michael around the city and his courtroom. The pictures show Michael and Zandy outside his chambers and then Michael in the judge's chair (thank goodness for emancipation). Note the warning sign for defendants, counsel and plaintiffs in the foreground. Very Top House, where, as headboy, Zandy learnt to run a tight ship!

I put Michael in touch with Patrick Ranger (B, 1997) who is making inroads into the ODU community in New York and they are likely to meet there.

The purpose of the ODU is to connect ODs around the world. This is what it means in practice.
 

As you may know by now, the UK ODU Black-tie dinner at The Carlton on the 15th September is sold-out.

But with two-and-a-half months to go, dropouts and cancellations are inevitable so if you are keen to attend, get on the waiting list as soon as possible by completing the RSVP. No payment will be taken until  a place is confirmed. If the list warrants it, we will move to a larger venue, so please do get your name in if you would like to be there. And get your mates to RSVP too!
 

To remind you, Nigel Owens, the preeminent international rugby referee (now retired) will be handling the game.

WE WON!!!
 

AN OD GUIDES US AROUND ANGLESEY ABBEY
 

Although coinciding with the annual Cambridge "Bumps", several ODs gathered at Anglesey Abbey just outside to the centre of Cambridge. There we enjoyed the gardens and architecture and interior decorations of Anglesey Abbey. And a restorative lunch and a fine English Cream Tea.

Dr Philip Hazel (F, 1961) has been a certified guide at the Gardens for fifteen years; his knowledge and love of the gardens, and his ability to communictae this in the most interesting and at times amusing way, was appreciated by the nine ODs on the tour. It was a very special event. In the photo left, l-r: Philip, Bruce and Ceinwen, David, Michael and Elizabeth and Susan.

Michael Dallas (O, 1961) and his wife Elizabeth (seen left) had driven up from Gloucestershire and it was wonderful to be able to connect with them.  Bruce Wilson (O, 1973) and Ceinwen live just around the corner and claim Anglesey Abbey as their "back garden". David Boddy (O, 1970) and his sister Susan Wepener also live in Cambridge, but were first-time visitors to the Abbey.

The photo to the right is a collage of some of the beautiful roses in the Anglesey rose garden

Good exercise, invaluable learnings and great pleasure in each other's company made for a fabulous day, for which we were all hugely grateful to Philip.

During June, these ODs were appointed to new psitions and roles. It is really gratifying to see how our younger ODs are doing so well and I would encourage other ODs to link up with them and plot synergies and other benefits which might be worth exploring. 
 

Ben Baigrie (O, 2010) has been promoted to Associate Director at Brand Finance. The Company is the world’s leading independent branded business valuation and strategy consultancy, present in over 20 countries.Their just-released on the world's most valuable football brands has just been releaed. Click HERE to find out who is at the top of the pile.

Troy Horrell (K, 2016) has been appointed as an Associate at Kearney. The Company is a global Management Consulting firm with a presence in more than forty countries operating across myriad of sectors and industries. Young though he is, his experiences have been varied and interesting, including as a wine steward at Constantia Glen and, at Bishops, a member of Simply Blue. He has and still is very active in several fundraising initiatives.

Ben Nel (F, 2017 and now in Dublin) has posted that he is "Ecstatic to receive the results for my Building Services Engineering degree where I achieved an overall 1st Class Honours. And that he is particularly thrilled to have achieved 81% for his final year project where he designed the services for a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility." We're ecstatic for you too, Ben. Well done.

Seb Golding (F, 2011)  has started in a new position as an Investment Analyst at Goodstone Living. Goodstone is a specialist real estate investment manager creating better ways to rent. They work on behalf of their capital partners to acquire, develop and operate rental communities across London and key regional UK cities.

Seb's sector is one in which I know many ODs are involved.

Virgil Parenzee (O, 1996) is a Consulting Director in the field of IT Strategy & Architecture. He may not have been promoted last month, but he is certainly an OD making moves. He posted in Linked in that "People often ask me if I get nervous before big presentations, or speaking events. And they’re surprised when I say that I don’t get nervous at all. I attribute this to years of performing in front of sometimes massive crowds as a musician [he is an organist, choir director and accomplished accompanist]. Yes, maths and physics were/are important and formative. But so too is music."

Matthew Perrott (O, 2016) has started as a Sustainable Capital Markets Analyst at BNP Paribas. Previous to that he had, for 6½ years been a Fellow at The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation.

Jonathan Rossouw (W, 2016) who recently graduated with an MSc in Finance and Economics from the LSE has been appointed as an Equity Derivatives Strategist Trainee with Societe Generale in London. As he says on his LinkedIn page, he has a passion for quantitative finance and machine learning. There has to be another OD out there who knows what that means!

We are very proud of all of you!

Once again, I can't recommend enough the private LinkedIn page of St Andrew's, Michaelhouse, Hilton and Bishops Old Boys. It is here you can offer help to over 1,000 members and, should you need any, ask for it too. You can also seek career advice, post job vacancies for your company/business and generally enjoy the company of like-minded individuals, all ready to support you.To join, click HERE. You will need to be "approved" which is a formality once you've signed up..

“The function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” So said JK Galbraith and it is highly likely that our next to Finance Forum stellar speakers will be saying something similar..

After a successful launch of the UK OD Finance Forum in April at which Niall Carroll (O, 1981) spoke about his career in the sector and the importance of building networks (and working hard), Craig Vintcent (S, 1986) who convenes the Forum has two more events planned for the year.

The first of these Forum meetings will be on Wednesday 4th October at The Oriental Club. Magda Wierzyca, founder and CEO of Sygnia Asset Management in South Africa (and now in the UK) will be speaking about the various influences buffeting (no pun intended) and reshaping the investment management environment. She will touch on the challenges and opportunities presented by the whirlwind advances in AI and, of course, answering any questions you may have. There is a charge of £25 per person for this event which includes wine, beer, soft drinks and canapes.

The second is also in October on the 26th. Maria de Peverelli is a Partner and Executive Chairman of Stonehage Fleming Art Management which advises HNW clients on art as an asset class and it is on this topic she will be speaking. The venue will be the office  of Stonehage Fleming who are very kindly hosting this event for which there is no charge.

To RSVP for either or both these events, please click HERE 

Also note that the Old Boys of Hilton, Michaelhouse and St Andrew's are being invited - networking - so places, limited for both events, will go fast!

PS, you may be interested in attending the free Bain & Co webinar on 2nd August (1pm (BST/2pm CET) at which their Chairman of Global Private Equity discusses how and why after a decade of record-breaking activity, investments, exits and fund-raising totals all dropped sharply in the first half of 2023 as economic uncertainty and rising interest rates sent dealmakers to the sidelines and slowed distributions to limited partners. What does this mean for the industry?  To register, click HERE
 

I resigned from the ODU Committee last month. It seemed to me that with the time required to focus on the development of UK Branch, to say nothing of my day job, endlessly arguing for improvements at the centre - for which there seems little vision and strategy - was not a productive use of my time.

Stepping away from the Committee has no impact at all on our UK Branch or the Europe Region. Very little depends on anything from the centre and I'll continue here for so long as I'm wanted!. And the Europe project already feels very exciting.  

The 2023 ODU Magazine (the cover of which tops this newsletter) can be read online or downloaded HERE or if you'd like a hardcopy, order it from Amazon.

We're heading for the time when nominations for the Robert Gray Award are to be submitted. To remind you,  the Robert Gray Award is the most prestigious and only award which the Bishops can bestow on an OD who has made a significant and exceptional contribution in his field of endeavour, or to society in general. The criteria are: 

Think about the many ODs who meet these criteria and complete this nomination form which should reach the Principal no later than 29 September. Your (ideally) one-page nomination demonstrating how your nominee meets the above criteria must accompany your nomination form.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR REMAINDER OF 2023

Please note that the lunch at The Carlton Club to launch Miles Maskell's (O, 1953) book, My Wife's Canary has had to be postponed. The new date will be confirmed in due course.