Former Pupils’ News
Stuart Robinson, who left BRA in 1999, underwent a kidney transplant in 2010 and represented GB&NI at the World Transplant Games in Durban in August 2013 with considerable success. He won four Gold medals in swimming, two Silvers in swimming and Javelin and set two World Records in Swimming.
The manager is paid a percentage of the profits. The word “hedge” is used to describe the means of ensuring against a downturn in the market by selling stock that the manager believes will perform less well. There are over 8,000 such funds globally, the majority of them in the United States.
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Those of our readers considering shifting their funds from their respective piggy banks should be aware that hedge funds cater to the needs of the very wealthy.
Dr J. McKnight was awarded an Honorary Chair at Edinburgh University. Further information can be found at the following web address: http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff/john-mcknight-160412 **** Adam Montgomery is studying Actuarial Science at Herriot-Watt University. ****
Noel Lamb Noel Lamb, who is currently a hedge fund manager with Russell Investments, a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual based in Seattle, Washington State, gave a master-class in high finance to a group of Academy sixth formers last year. Noel left School in 1974 to study Law at Exeter College, Oxford. After graduation he was commissioned into the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and in 1980-1987 he was Adjutant and ADC to the Commandant of Sandhurst. On completion of his military career (which he enjoyed enormously) Noel joined Lazars Bros., the investment bank. Advancement here came as rapidly as it had in the armed forces, and from 1990 to 1996 he was Managing Director of Lazars, Japan. In his lively discussion with Economics sixth formers it was clear that he relished his time in Japan and he spoke eloquently about his fascination with Japanese culture and society. On leaving Japan Noel was recruited by Russell Investments which delivers multi-asset investment strategies in forty-seven countries. The company’s institutional clients include retirement plans, endowments and foundations. Many of the world’s top banks, brokers and insurance companies are linked to Russell Investments. And for those who have always wanted to know: ‘hedge fund’ is a term used to describe an investment partnership that deploys various strategies to maximise profits on behalf of those who have invested with it.
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Michael McKnight Michael McKnight, who attended the Academy 19741981, is currently principal of Lough View Integrated Primary, Belfast. On leaving School Michael studied at Birmingham University and on graduation proceeded to postgraduate work at Durham University and then Queen’s, Belfast. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in 2013 Michael spoke with great warmth of his time at the Academy. He mentioned particularly Mr Hawtin, then Head of Classics and Mr McCoy, who retired as Head of History in 2010. Indeed, as a pupil Michael made a very significant contribution to assisting both these members of staff to popularise athletics, and especially to reviving the tradition of cross-country running in the Academy. ****
Shane Allen After three gruelling interviews, Shane Allen, formerly head of comedy at Channel 4, has been appointed the new BBC controller of comedy commissioning. Shane is a fan of the comedy show ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ (for many viewers an acquired taste) which won last year’s BAFTA Award for best sitcom. He has declared his attention to attract and retain comedians with a three-year development plan, giving the series ‘Little Britain’ as an example of what can be achieved. Shane also aims to revive the career of the controversial Frankie Boyle whose series, ‘Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights’ resulted in five hundred complaints to Ofcom. Shane was Assistant Producer and writer of ‘Bran Eye Special’ and Director of ‘Ali G in Da USAiii’. ****
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