John Oxley
I also set up a Twitter feed highlighting stories concerning religion, philosophy and ethics for a wider audience, which many schools now follow.
Paralegal – Ayesha Vardag MGS 2001-2008 “After leaving MGS, I read History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where I thoroughly enjoyed not only my studies, but also being part of the university community.
During the 2010 General Election, I served as Chairman of Cambridge University Conservative Association, reminiscent of my days at MGS, and enjoyed staging a ball for 1,300 guests as part of my college’s May Ball Committee. After university, I studied the law conversion and Bar courses in London and was awarded a major scholarship and called to the Bar, by Middle Temple. I am presently working as a paralegal for top divorce lawyer, Ayesha Vardag, and starting pupillage in 2014 with leading family law chambers QEB. MGS influences continue and I am involved in several charities, including cycling 100 miles for the Samaritans this summer.”
Matthew Bolton Teacher of RS and Philosophy Bedford School MGS 2002-2009 “I left MGS to read Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Having always enjoyed the co-curricular side of MGS, I immersed myself in university life in the same way, assisting in a Student Union scheme in which English-speaking students proof-read work submitted by foreign students. 02
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At the end of each year I returned to MGS to work as an exams invigilator, cover RS lessons and participate in outdoor visits and activities. This reinforced my wish to teach and I successfully applied for a job teaching RS and Philosophy at Bedford School. To make a career out of what I love doing is truly amazing – not only am I teaching my favourite subject, but I’m also assisting with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.”
Pushkar Jha Merrill Lynch – London Office MGS 2001-2008 “Studying Economics at university gave me a great insight into how financial institutions function and the leading role the City plays in industry; it led me along a natural path into the world of investment banking.
I joined the Global Markets Division at Merrill Lynch as a Trader on the Sterling Interest Rate desk. The role involves monitoring various UK data – such as the rate of inflation, levels of growth and spending, amount of investments, etc. – and forming a view of how the UK economy will perform in relation to other countries’ economies. Although things can get pretty intense, the trading floor is full of highly motivated and intelligent people who push you to achieve your best... something it has in common with MGS!”
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Ben Lazarus Public Sector Audit and Advisory – KPMG LLP MGS 2000-2007 “During my Sixth Form years at MGS I developed a real passion for Geography. I was offered a place to study the subject at Oxford where I specialised in humaneconomic geography.
I left Oxford in 2010 and moved back up north. With a new-found interest in the world of business, I gained a place on the KPMG graduate scheme, within their Public Sector Audit and Advisory practice. Over the past three years I have worked with a diverse range of public sector entities, from hospitals to universities to colleges to councils. While working I studied for the ACA qualification and in October this year I qualified as a chartered accountant. It’s certainly been a jam-packed and exciting six years for which MGS prepared me well.”
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