Exploring fresh approaches; our growing international network

At the conclusion of a highly successful academic year and a busy term, I would like not only to celebrate our successes, but also for us to turn our eyes to the future.

In September, at QE we will enter the final year of our existing School plan, Building on Distinction. Next term, we begin the process of research and investigation ahead of drawing up the new plan, to cover five years, from 2025 to 2030. It is important we take nothing for granted; we should be focused on a clear strategy for further improvement and innovation. That means, among other things, trying fresh approaches and exploring new avenues.

We seek to make our pupils aware that they are in a global market, where technology and the ease of international travel have broken down the importance of geographical space. Many of our OEs need no reminding of this. There were, for example, the talks given online from Texas by Old Elizabethan economist Sandeep Mazumder (OE 1993–2000) to the Gresham Society. Increasingly, QE alumni, such as our San Francisco-based trio below, are linking up thousands of miles from Barnet. (Of course, those closer to home can equally benefit from the QE Connect community: for example, Jonathan Perry [OE 2013–2020] tells me he recently secured a job at global law firm Latham & Watkins, with “influential advice” given by Hamzah Hussain [OE 2004-2011] and Saavan Shah [OE 2007–2014] who are, respectively a Banking Associate and Associate there.) Our new QE Futures programme provides plenty of guidance on international higher education and global careers. Many QE Futures events have a distinctly entrepreneurial flavour. That is not accidental: of course, not all our boys will become entrepreneurs, but we recognise that even in other professions, entrepreneurial skills and an entrepreneurial mindset are becoming a huge asset.

At QE, we pride ourselves on being ‘a state school like no other’. Accordingly, as an institution, we must be bold and perhaps even, at times, unconventional. Just like the boys, the School itself should be exploring opportunities wherever they arise on the global stage. And, as we consider our strategy, we should not be afraid to embrace any entrepreneurial approaches that will help the School fulfil its mission.

I am pleased to say that many OEs have come in to help us this term. Among them are: Alistair Law (OE 2013–2020), who, like Sandeep, gave talks to the Gresham Society; Devin Karia (OE 2014-2021) who visited our Technology department to deliver a set of Dyson outreach workshops focussing on robotics and prototyping; Sumit Sethi (OE 2012–2019) who gave an Art talk; Henry Zhu (2012-2019), who delivered a lunchtime talk on his early career in chartered accountancy, having switched from the Natural Sciences he studied at university; and Shanil Modi (OE 2008-2015), whose careers talk looked at finding your purpose.

It was good to see OEs out in some numbers at Founder’s Day. Sam Goodman (OE 2002–2009) and Asif Ahmed (OE 1997–2004) both spoke entertainingly as our guests of honour, Sam at the Founder’s Day service and Asif at Junior Awards. I was also delighted this month to welcome back Priyan Shah (OE 1991–1998), whose family’s philanthropic foundation now regularly presents our sixth-formers with its DVS Awards. The ten Year 12 winners, some nominated by their peers, received awards in a special assembly under headings ranging from Humility and Reliability to Leadership and Environmental Stewardship. Our 200-seat Robert Dudley Studio is now in use. It looks great, and soon it will sound great, too: the sound equipment is due to be installed over the summer. The project would not have been possible without substantial help from FQE and from alumni in the 450 Club. Thank you!

Away from Barnet, the landmark occasion of our Chamber Choir singing evensong at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, was further enhanced by the presence of alumni including current Cambridge Music students Raphael Herberg (OE 2015–2022) and Jao-Yong Tsai (OE 2016–2023), who sang with the boys.

Another Cambridge undergraduate, Guy Flint (OE 2014–2021) is the subject of OE Spotlight – the regular feature on a sporting alumnus in our termly Sports Bulletin.

I welcome to QE Connect our newest Old Elizabethans – this year’s leavers, who have joined the ranks following their Valediction event. Photos of the occasion can be found on our QE Connect platform.

I wish everyone an enjoyable summer.

Neil Enright

Headmaster

Save the date – the OE Annual Reunion Dinner

First call for the OE Annual Reunion Dinner, taking place on Friday 15th November 2024. It will follow the format of last year’s dinner, organised by our own Matthew Rose (OE 2002–2009), Head of External Relations, which drew a record attendance for recent years. So, less formal than previously, with even ties optional, but still with the same great opportunities to meet up with friends and network – just ask anyone who was there! “The dinner is lots of fun and a real autumn highlight: see you there!” says the Headmaster. Tickets will go on sale in early September, available through the FQE online shop.

Young vs (slightly) older: thrilling starter to our new OEs fixture

QE’s PE & Games department hosted a new OE vs OE cricket match for alumni who have left over the past two decades, with the teams split by age. And, says Director of Sport Jonathan Hart, what a game it was, ending with a "thrilling victory" for the 'oldies'! “It’s intended as a celebration of past cricket talent, aimed also at strengthening ties among alumni – we’re hoping to make it an annual fixture.”

Our Silicon Valley set!

Pavir Patel sent the Headmaster this photo of himself, Akshat Sharma and Richard Ou connecting in San Francisco. Richard (OE 2010–2015) brought us the story behind the image: “All three of us are founders looking to build billion-dollar companies in Silicon Valley. Quite a few QE boys that I've met in the US have been entrepreneurs, too, all having raised not so insignificant amounts of capital. It feels like we're following in the footsteps of Demis Hassabis and Mustafa Suleyman (see below in Alumni News for the latest on them, Ed) maybe a few years or a decade behind.”

Labour of love for QE Collections

Shaun McSweeney (OE 1970–1977) is now volunteering regularly to support QE Collections, working with the School’s archivist, Jenni Blackford, with his personal knowledge of his era already proving valuable in the cataloguing. Shaun is a History graduate and qualified as a History teacher, even doing some supply teaching at QE in 1983. “Obviously I have a love of history, and I have always been grateful for my education at QE where I had seven happy years,” he says.

Can you help with mock interviews for QE Futures?

Assistant Head James Kane (Pupil Destinations) is appealing for OE interviewers to help next year’s Year 13 with their university preparation. James heads QE Futures – our ambitious programme of careers and universities guidance and support. Among those supporting the programme this term were Antony Yassa (OE 2016–2021) and Nayel Huda (OE 2017–2023), who took part in a QE Futures evening for Year 11 boys and their parents.

Opportunities to give

We are grateful that so many alumni are wanting to make a difference through financial giving. Only with such support can QE, as a state school, continue offering life-changing opportunities to boys from all backgrounds. We are thankful for every donation, large or small. Click the button below for one-off and regular gifts. If you would like to sponsor an extra-curricular activity for current pupils, or are interested in remembering QE in your will, our Development Office will be happy to help.

Learning as he goes, having fun – and building a $100bn-plus business

Eighteen years after leaving QE, Warren Balakrishnan is loving family life in New York, from where he is growing the international insurance business that he co-founded. “I’ve wanted to contribute to the School in a meaningful way for some time, and living in the US makes it a bit harder to join events there, so it felt serendipitous to receive an email for the 450 Club.”

Thriving Forty Society reflects strength of our community

The April meeting of the Forty Society (pictured) – for those who left QE 40 or more years ago – was another happy occasion, with OE Association President Eric Houston as MC. Eric (QE teacher 1976–2010; Second Master 1999–2010) relishes attending both the society’s twice-yearly lunches and the annual reunion dinner. “These occasions provide an excellent social opportunity to spend time with friends and make new contacts, whilst remembering your time at QE. It is wonderful for me to meet so many I have not seen for years. They are a reminder that we are all incredibly fortunate to have an Elizabethan community that has never been stronger. Long may it continue!”

Outstanding! James leaves on a high

Head of Rugby James Clarke (OE 1999–2004), who leaves QE this summer after a dozen years in the PE department, is going out with a bang. Although his House, Broughton, narrowly missed out on maintaining its multi-year winning streak at Sports Day, James himself won a Jack Petchey Foundation Outstanding Leader Award, having been nominated by his pupils. He is taking up a position with Bermudan rugby.

Knighthood for Demis and new role for Mustafa

Demis Hassabis (OE 1988–1990), co-founder of Google-owned AI firm DeepMind, was knighted for his services to artificial intelligence in this spring’s King’s honours. The honour came at the recommendation of Rishi Sunak, who was keen to promote the UK’s role in AI. In the same month, Microsoft appointed his DeepMind co-founder, Mustafa Suleyman (OE 1995–2002), as CEO of its newly created consumer AI unit, Microsoft AI.

Tackling the Sahara to support nephew

John Verdon (OE 1997–2004) took first place among US entrants in the 160-mile Marathon des Sables, running in support of his nephew, Buddy. “This is nothing in comparison to the Herculean effort Buddy puts in on a daily basis fighting osteosarcoma [bone cancer],” he wrote afterwards. Based in San Francisco, John is the lead for trucking, business development & partnerships at Waymo (formerly the Google self-driving car project). The fundraising will support research.

Roger continues his research

Retired since 2020 from his position as Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary, Canada, Roger Thomas (OE 1952–1960) continues both to teach medical students and to conduct research – his current work is a study of 230,000 patients aged 65 and over. The winner of multiple awards, including 19 teaching awards, Roger taught firstly at Yale, then at various universities in Canada over a 53-year career, with 1980–1983 spent at a hospital in Malawi. QE, he says, had a large effect on his life: he has penned his memories of the years he and his brother, Andrew, spent at Queen’s Road.

George the Poet’s new book

Track Record, the latest book from George Mpanga (OE 2002–2009), is a memoir in which he also gives a socio-economic history of the music industry, of Britain’s colonial past, capitalism and of the “war on Blackness”. In its pages, he pays tributes to his teachers: to the “calm, friendly energy” of Nisha Manoharan Mayer (still at QE) and to the “likeable and sharp” Tamer Mahmoud (now at St Paul’s).

And finally…

We trust you have enjoyed reading this edition of the QE Connect e-magazine produced by QE for all our old boys. What next? Well, if you haven’t already discovered QE Connect, our online social and business network, why not take a look.