WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Bedford High School

Hannah Ayres (2010)

Hannah undertook a degree in Politics & Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University, followed by a Masters in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster. She’s held a number of HR management roles in large financial institutions, before she was inspired by the relaxed vibe of Cape Town to set up a coffee shop in Bedford, No 7 Coffee House. It is also the supporters’ shop to the Bedford Blues.

Fleur Bassett (née Marshall, 1990)

Fleur recently became the first female doctor to be appointed Head of Navy Healthcare in the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth.

Bella Bonadies (2012)

Bella runs BELLA’S Beauty, offering a range of well-being treatments, in Bedford. Her business is by appointment only @bellasbeautybedford.

Charlotte Clifton (2005)

Charlotte teaches English at Bedford Greenacre Independent School.

Emily Clifton (2001)

Emily is Director of Protocol at the American Embassy. She is also an Officer in The Royal Naval Reserve.

Mia Hartwell (2006)

Mia recently launched a new plantbased meal kit brand in Waitrose, The Flavourists, a range of semi-scratch meal kits and ingredients for foodies that want to enjoy innovative plantbased meals.

Mia has spent over 10 years in food marketing & sustainability, working for Jordans Cereals and Ryvita. She also spent four months taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Dr Sara Hornby Anderson (1969)

Sara has been awarded the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Hadfield Medal & Prize 2022 in recognition of her immense contribution to the industry.

Sara Stephenson (née Bromley, 1989)

Sara studied Geology at the University of Bristol and achieved her PGCE from the University of Cambridge. She has worked in education since 1995, mainly in the USA. Sara is currently Director of Strategic Enrolment Management at Ashley Hall, a private girls’ school in Charleston, South Carolina. Sara has also served as a teacher, and school leader as well as running her own educational consultancy. She is married to Paul and they have two sons, aged 12 and 16.

Dame Alice Harpur School

Dr Jill Berry (former Headmistress)

Jill has recently published three short novels; The Dresser, #OneWord and The Button Box, each focusing on relationships, growth and human frailty. They are available to buy through Amazon, in both paperback and kindle editions.

Suzy Carrington (née Wimbourne, 2008)

Following the set-backs of the pandemic, weddings and gigs are back, Suzy and her husband, Alex, are now busy with their thriving Lancashire based businesses: a coffee roastery business www.carringtonscoffee.com; a wedding photography business www.suzywimbournephotography.com and their acoustic music www.suzyandalex.com.

Rebecca Dover (2010)

Rebecca has started an exciting new position as a Senior Marketing Manager - Global Brand Voice at the LEGO Group. Over the last eight and a half years Rebecca has worked across local, regional and global marketing roles in LEGO, including the development of some of their biggest global brand campaigns.

Claudia Hammond (1989)

Broadcaster and journalist, Claudia Hammond published her latest book, The Keys to Kindness in 2022. The award-winning author takes you on a deep-dive into kindness, the science behind it and how we can better build it into our lives.

Chivonne Koranteng (2007)

Chivonne studied at the University of Manchester, followed by the Centre for Alternative Technology and finally graduated from the University of Westminster in 2019. Chivonne now works for award-winning architect practice, Adjaye Associates, whose notable work includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

Mary Moloney (1980)

Mary works as a university administrator and lives in North London. She studied French Language and Literature at University College London before training as a language teacher at the University of York. She has taught in France and worked as an English teacher in Tokyo. Mary had always enjoyed writing but has always wanted to pen a novel. Childhood holidays in Wales, provided the inspiration for Mary’s novel, Pippa and Friends Investigate, which will hopefully be published later this year. Mary says, “The novel is aimed at 8-12 year old detectives, and all detectives who are 8-12 at heart!” Mary would like to thank all of The Alumnae community who supported her appeal to get her book published.

Rosamond (previously Cynthia) Reavell (née DunbarMarshall, 1959)

After leaving school, Rosamond worked as an au pair in France, Germany and finally Norway. She returned to Cambridge in 1962, to work at the University Library, which she very much enjoyed, meeting lots of interesting people, and innumerable books to discover.

She was Librarian at the Department of Chemistry from 1965-7, when she married Tony Reavell, Bookseller and fellow member of the Bibliographical Society. They moved to the nearby village of Little Shelford a year later, when her children David and Tamsyn were born. In 1975 they bought Martello Bookshop in picturesque Rye. Due to poor health Rosamond now resides in assisted-living in Polegate. She is really enjoying the activities on offer, particularly the scrabble and poetryreading.

Rosamond ran an appreciation society for comic novelist E.F. Benson, The Tilling Society, for almost 25 years. She was also Assistant Librarian at Hastings Quakers.

Rosamond is keen to reconnect with Molly Merrill, if anyone has any news please email alumnae@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Nabihah Parkar (2012)

Nabihah has been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 2023 Awards for her contribution to jounalism, and has been shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, Nabihah reports on current affairs aiming to give voice to people and stories that too often go underrepresented in mainstream media.

Rachel Parsonage (née Groom, 1993)

Rachel was recently invited by the British Beauty Council to the launch of the Future Talent Programme at 10 Downing Street, hosted by Rt Hon Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education.

The programme helps to inspire and share knowledge about the wide and diverse opportunities in the beauty industry particularly through STEM, cosmetic science, microbiology, packaging technology and sustainability.

Anna Ploszajski (2009)

Congratulations to Anna who has become a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, in recognition of her public facing contribution to the field.

Emma Timewell (DAHS 1994)

Emma has spent 17 years living in New Zealand, working in communications for the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd, a governmentowned science organisation, which uses world-leading science to improve the way the country produces food. She says it is her dream job; she never felt at home in a laboratory and has always relished talking about science instead. Emma holds a Biological Sciences degree from the University of East Anglia.

Winnie Yeung (2003)

Winnie is currently taking up a 12-month post at the University of Sydney as a Clinical Fellow in Laryngology. She will be working at the Medical School and its affiliated hospitals to further her ENT surgical skills, specifically in the treatment of pathologies concerning voice, swallowing and the upper airway.

Katy Young (2000)

Katy has joined England Rugby as their University Partnership Manager, which oversees university rugby in England, working to increase participation. She is particularly excited that England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.

BEDFORD GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Cecilia Castell (2019)

Cecilia is studying BA Fashion and Apparel Design at the University of Leeds. She is currently enjoying an industry placement year, firstly working as a Studio Assistant for Lucie Vaclav and her brand LVFD, and latterly for ELV Denim.

Kimberley Clifton (2014)

Kimberley has achieved her childhood dream and qualified as a Barrister, joining Guildford Chambers as a tenant. Kimberley read Law at the University of Leicester and completed her BPTC at Manchester Metropolitan University

Isabella Devile (2019)

Following school, Izzy undertook a year’s Mechanical Technician course at college. She then joined Team Parker Racing working part time for a year, before being offered a full time position in January 2022. At Team Parker racing she joined as a race technician and runs a Porsche Carrera Cup car.

Emily Fordham (2022)

Congratulations to Emily, who has received an unconditional offer from Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge to read Law. Emily is currently taking a year out working as a teaching assistant in Australia for six months before travelling.

Joanna Griffiths (2016)

Joanna competed her Art Foundation and a degree in Fine Art at Oxford Brookes University, resulting in First Class Honours. She completed her PGCE with commendation in Secondary Art, Craft & Design at Northumbria

University. She is now working as an ECT Art and Photography teacher at a school in Sunderland, which provides specialist teaching to cater for a range of different needs.

Izzy Gurney (2017)

Congratulations to Izzy and her colleagues at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the MCC Foundation for winning the Tessa Jowell Community Award at the Sport Industry UK Awards for their Afghan Refugee Project. A talented cricketer and ECB Level 2 coach, Izzy is currently the Operations Coordinator at the MCC Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the cricket club.

Ellie Hind (2019)

Ellie read English Literature at the University of Newcastle. Following graduation she has been gaining some experience in the publishing field, working as an editorial intern at a small indie press in London, before enjoying a working holiday around Australia.

Rosalie Inman (2019)

Rosalie studied Biological Sciences at the University of Durham, and is now taking a Masters in Biomedical Science Research at the University of Bristol. Rosalie’s upcoming research will be focused on how micro plastics are affecting the human body.

Rosalie continues her rugby success playing for Cheltenham Tigers WRFC (on loan from Bristol Bears).

Lucy Kemble (2017)

Lucy graduated from the University of Leeds with a Masters in Banking and International Finance (Distinction), which followed a First in Economics. Lucy joined Fitch Solutions last year as an Emerging Markets Banking Analyst. Lucy is responsible for researching and managing risk on behalf of her clients who range from banks, government bodies, multinational and domestic companies.

Heidi Lawson (2016)

Heidi’s promising rugby career is going from strength to strength with the Bedford Blues Women, playing Flanker. The team are currently top of the NC3 Midlands (Central) Division. Following BGS, Heidi has pursued a career in business and currently owns a high street store selling greetings cards.

Emma Leach (2017)

Emma completed a Psychology Degree at the University of Warwick. She is now undertaking a MSc in Forensic Psychology at the University of Bath. During this time, she is undertaking a year long work placement at the NSPCC in London, working in the research and evidence team.

Sarah Lee (2017)

Sara has landed herself a job with ITV, working as a Sound Assistant on the iconic British soap, Emmerdale, centred on a fictional farming community in the Yorkshire Dales. Based in Leeds, Sarah is really enjoying her new role in the city. Sarah achieved a First in Music Technology at Coventry University. During lockdown, Sarah released a dance track, Strawberry Mojito.

Fleur Leech (2019)

Fleur studies Spanish and Economics at the University of Leeds. She is spending her third year in Guadalajara, Mexico where she is taking Economic classes in Spanish at the university. Fleur commented: “My Spanish has improved massively since being in the city as English is barely spoken! Mexico is a huge country, with a rich history and I have a great opportunity this year to explore it.”

Grace Marner (2014)

Congratulations to Grace, who has recently landed her dream job as a journalist on the BBC’s Newsround. Grace read Biology at the University of Hull before undertaking a Masters in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Whilst at Sheffield, Grace was awarded the Dan Walker Scholarship and she was mentored by the journalist throughout her Masters. Grace is an advocate for diversity in journalism and broadcasting, particularly creating opportunities for those that are disabled. Grace has type 3 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which can create challenges in her life. She documents living with a hidden disability on TikTok @gracemarner.

Ematice Mokhrari (2016)

Ematice joined Real Estate law firm, Brecher LLP in Mayfair.

Megan O’Reilly (2018)

Megan graduated in 2022 with a First in Human Geography from the University of Leeds and is pursuing a career in the film and television industry. Through The Alumnae connections, Megan has worked on a number of film shoots as a runner.

Matilda Pinn (2018)

Following a Business Management degree at the University of Kent, which includes a Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship in conjunction with Pearson College, Matilda is now an Events Associate at Lloyds.

Georgina Puchal Carillo (2018)

Gina studied International Relations followed by a Masters in National Security Studies, both at King’s College London. She is currently enjoying a year out working at Knightsbridge School, before starting work in September in the defence and intelligence sector.

Hannah Selvey (2015)

Hannah read Economics with Spanish at the University of Birmingham which included a year studying in Spain. Hannah moved to China where she lived for two years whilst working as an English teacher. Hannah is now working as an Area Manager for Aldi in their Cardiff region.

Hannah Short (2013)

Hannah studied Medicine at the University of Birmingham. She spent her first two years working as a doctor in London during COVID, before moving to Sydney where she is balancing work in an A&E Department with travel. Hannah plans to apply for anaesthetics training on her return.

Chelsea Spanoudakis (2017)

Chelsea achieved a First in BSc Chemistry and MSc Cancer Immunology & Biotechnology with distinction from the University of Nottingham. She joined the Tech & Engineering Graduate scheme at KPMG as a Product Analyst. It is a role she is really enjoying and she is hoping that some of her future projects will focus on healthcare, which is an area of particular interest.

Bella Taylor (2019)

Bella graduated with a First in Applied Psychology from the Royal Holloway, University of London, before embarking on a MSc in Applied Paediatric Neuropsychology at UCL.

Bella was nominated for an undergraduate award from the British Neuropsychological Society, for her research work into Neurogenetics. She has also worked as a research volunteer for charity,

Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust, her work was used in a parliamentary reception in summer 2022.

Alice Worker (2018)

Alice studied Biomedical Science at Birmingham followed by a Masters in Research in Cancer Sciences, specialising in blood cancers. Throughout the pandemic, she worked in a research lab focusing on acute myeloid leukaemia. This included testing drugs which could be repurposed to prevent cancer relapse. She is now a PhD student at Nottingham, where she is investigating multiple myeloma and drug resistance. She is enjoying a mentorship and part-time teaching role and giving PhD application advice.

Sporting Achievements

Kate Axford (BGS 2017)

After a prolonged injury in her hockey career, former England and GB hockey player Kate decided to switch to athletics and claimed victory in her first ever 5,000m elite race, the Comeback 5000!

Maddie Axford (BGS 2021)

Maddie, has been selected for the 2023 GB Women’s Elite Development Programme (EDP) hockey squad. She was part of team who won a historic bronze medal for England at the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in South Africa (April 2022) and was awarded the player of the match.

Maddie is reading International Media and Communications at the University of Nottingham.

Florence Miller (BGS 2022)

Northamptonshire cricketer, Florence, has signed her first professional contract with Sunrisers Cricket Team. Florence is studying Management at Loughborough University.

Holly Smith (BGS 2021)

An outstanding hockey player Holly recently competed in her second Varsity Cup, representing the University of Oxford. Holly is reading Geography at Keble College, Oxford.

Sophie Lewis (BGS 2020)

Sophie claimed a bronze medal for Team England track cycling on the opening day of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Congratulations to the following alumnae who took part in either the London Marathon 2022, Manchester or London Marathons 2023, collectively raising over £61,000:

Eloise Bailey (BGS 2020) & Emma Watt (BGS 2014) Teenage Cancer Trust

Sitara Johns (DAHS 2010) Turvey Overseas Education Support (TOES).

Vicki Reeves (née Huckle, BHS 2011) Team Breathe

Angela Stango (DAHS 2000) Breast Cancer Now

Rachel Sayer (BGS 2016) for The Stroke Association

Joanna Prettyman (BGS 2017) for Alzheimers Research UK

Anna Worboys, Rosie Leech, Felicity Towler (all BHS 2012) & Ellie Harbinson (BGS 2014)

Cardiac Risk in the Young

Philippa Abruzzese (née Healey, DAHS 1999 & BHS 2001)

Marie Curie

Lottie Bruce (BGS 2014)

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Rebecca Downing-Holmes (BGS 2017) The NSPCC

Rebecca Hutchings (BGS 2015) BEAT

Kirstie Moffat (BGS 2016) & Erin Osgood (BGS 2017)

Parkinson’s UK

Chelsea Spanoudakis (BGS 2017) Great Ormond Street

Well done to the many alumnae who are also busy fundraising in other ways:

Whizz Middleton (née Shaw, BHS 1998) Whizz, and her daughter Millie, took part in ‘Trek 24’ in aid of the East Anglia Air Ambulance.

Mia Mundell (BGS 2021)

Mia will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2023, coinciding with her 20th birthday, raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Vicky Owens (née Harris, BHS 1995)

Vicky will be taking part in the SAS Fan Dance in the Brecon Beacons, raising money for Diabetes UK.

Ruth Riisnaes (DAHS 1973)

Took part in the Banham Marsden March in May, raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Olivia Perkins (BHS 2005) & Nicola Gotzheim (née Sharman, BHS 1991) Raised £13,000 for Cancer Research UK, cycling from Lands End to John O Groats.

Jane Jacob (née Bushby, DAHS 1996) & Helen McCormick (née Bushby, DAHS 1993)

Took part in the Ultra Challenge Thames Bridge Trek, walking 25km across London, crossing over 16 bridges to raise to raise money for the MND Association.