AAA Careers Fair 2026 Friday 13th March, 2026
AAA Careers Event 2026 Welcome
AAA Careers Event 2026 As girls reach the top of the school, we want to encourage them to feel ambitious and excited about what the future might look like. We want them to think broadly and creatively about possible career trajectories and what skills they might need to develop on the journey. It is a truism now to say that today’s young people will take on a wider range of jobs over the course of their careers than ever before. With that in mind, I am delighted to warmly welcome the 30 Ascot Alumnae who join us for this event to share their experiences across the 16 sectors listed in these pages. Thank you for giving so generously of your time, for sharing your wisdom, your career experiences and hindsight with the girls at St Mary’s. Today’s event will give senior girls an opportunity to hear about a range of careers which alumnae have chosen, informing their university choices and shaping future prospects. Alongside this, I hope that they feel energised by the opportunities that await them and are inspired to take on further research or consider something new. Who better to give them advice than the alumnae in whose footsteps they will follow through St Mary’s School Ascot and beyond.
Danuta Staunton Headmistress
AAA Careers Fair 2026 Programme
1.15pm
Alumnae arrival at the Rose Theatre Coffee, set up and orientation for alumnae
1.45 - 2.25
First workshop
2.30 - 3.10
Second workshop
3.15 - 3.55
Third workshop
4.00
Q&A in the Rose Theatre with entire panel led by Mrs Staunton
4.30
Afternoon tea for all participants Alumnae tea in the Rose Theatre Foyer Years 10 – UVI tea in the Pupil Refectory
Workshops Workshop title
AI and Technology
Speakers Cissy Murray-Brown
Location
Room 1
Olivia Ladanyi Hattie Arkwright
Armed Forces
Room 2
Georgie Thompson
Careers in Art and Design Florence Blackburn Philippine Vernes
Charity and Philanthropy Kate Deighton
Civil Service/Policy
Diana Mills Emily Farr
Engineering
History of Art Room
Brigid of Ireland (Back of Reading Room)
Christine of Pizan (downstairs in Senior Library)
Katharine Beirne
Room 3
Cristina Bruce
Catherine of Siena
Environment and Social Responsibility Harriet Jameson
(upstairs in Senior Library)
Flora Macdonald Johnston Lecture Theatre
Fashion Emma Jane Knight
Workshop title
Healthcare, Medicine
International Finance
Investment Banking
Speakers Megan Jenkins
Location
Green Room
Leonora Owen (Bailey) Cecilia McKenzie
Rufus Sewell Studio
Lucy Drummond Brady Aisha Austin
Rose Theatre
Louisa Gaynor Jemima Denham
Journalism & Media
Theo Louloudis
Senior Library Foyer
Saskia Lumley
Law - route after Uni
Law - Study at Uni
Clarissa Otte
Sophia Rosalia
Helena Pollock Kimberley Smith Minerva Christiaan-Rakus
Hildegard of Bingen (downstairs in Senior Library)
Emma King-Farlow
Performing Arts
Publishing
Green Room Lorna Cobbold
Issy Walsh
Room 4
Hattie Arkwright Captain, British Army
Dates at St Mary’s: 2006-2013
Workshop: Armed Forces
I graduated from Durham University in 2016 with a BA(Hons) in International Relations. After successfully passing the Army Officer Selection Board, I st arted training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 2018 and commissioned into the Royal Artillery in August 2019. As a Second Li eutenant I was launched ‘into the deep end’ with an Operational tour in Mali where, as the Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Commander, our role was to counter the Islamist extremist threat. I subsequently served as the Aide de Camp to DSACEUR, a British 4* General for 12 months. Working to the most Senior British Officer in NATO came with it incredible strategic exposure, an invaluable experience. Following this, I qualified as a Fire Support Team Commander within 1st Royal Horse Artillery, where we deployed on Op CABRIT in Estonia during their arctic winter to protect NATO’s Eastern flank, our role was to be the ‘Speed Bump’ should there have been an incursion into Estonia’s territory. My current role is the Adjutant at a Phase 1 training establishment in Pirbright, focusing mainly on discipline but in reality, everything comes across the Adjutant’s desk so a busy, demanding and high stakes role.
Email: hattie23@googlemail .com
Aisha Austin Luxury Goods Analyst Rothschild and Co
Dates at St Mary’s: 2014-2019
Workshop: Investment Banking
Aisha is a Luxury Goods Analyst at Rothschild & Co. She joined via the company’s summer internship programme followed by the graduate programme, and now has over two years of experience. She is part of the Rothchild &Co Women’s Network Committee and is passionate about supporting and uplifting women in the industry. Prior to working in finance, Aisha obtained a master’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Warwick.
Email: aishakaustin@aol .co.uk
Katharine Beirne Graduate Civil Engineer Mott Macdonald
Dates at St Mary’s: 2014-2019
Workshop: Engineering
Katharine left St Mary's in 2019 and then went on to study Engineering Science at Keble College, Oxford (2019-2023). She kept her modules fairly broad but her master’s thesis was on the impact of the vibrations on paintings when hosting music events in museums and galleries. During her time there she was also a choral scholar and played hockey for the university. After graduating, Katharine took a couple of months off and travelled around New Zealand, Fiji and Australia, and started a Graduate Civil Engineer role in the Transport unit at Mott MacDonald in March 2024. Since then she has worked on a variety of projects including the analysis of vehicle crash barriers on bridges, HS2, electricity substation design and she also volunteers at a local Croydon school throughout the year.
Email: katharine.beirne@ gmail.com
Florence Blackburn Senior Tutor, UK Marketing Art History Abroad
Dates at St Mary’s: 2013-2018
Workshop: Careers in Art and Design
Flo’s interest in History of Art began during sixth form, under the guidance of St Mary’s School Ascot teachers and AHA tutors Tom Parsons and Helen Oakden. Their captivating teaching and engaging introductions to art across all periods inspired Flo to pursue History of Art at the University of East Anglia, where she specialised in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. After graduating, Flo gained valuable experience in the art market at Chris Beetles Gallery in St James’s, Mayfair. She later joined Art History Abroad, now travelling with student groups to Italy to teach the history, art, language, and culture.
Email: florencemblackburn @gmail.com
Cristina Bruce (Moore) Senior Vice President, Anglo American Dates at St Mary’s: 1990-1998
Workshop: Cristina Bruce is Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Social Impact at Anglo American, a global mining compny. She leads the development of Anglo American’s sustainability ambitions and social performance standards to create value for the business in areas that matter most to shareholders, host communities, governments and civil society, creating a positive impact in regions of operation. She has particular expertise in Anglo American’s operations in Latin America as well as their work on climate and multi-stakeholder partnerships to support socio-economic development. She was formerly VP, Corporate Affairs, Permitting and Environment for Anglo American in Chile. She has also worked as Head of Corporate Affairs at Anglo American Crop Nutrients, the AngloAmerican business that will develop an innovative low carbon fertiliser from Woodsmith, a mine under development in North Yorkshire, UK. A government relations and public policy professional, she has experience in sustainability, permitting, political risk management, strategic stakeholder engagement, communications, and international advocacy. She has direct experience of working with the extractive, NGO, multilateral and governmental sectors across the Middle East, Europe, Southern Africa and Latin America. Former roles have been as in international advocacy and business development at Portland communications and as a British diplomat, covering South America and Middle East. She has been Chair of the Board and Trustee of Canning House, the UKLatin America think tank. Cristina achieved a BSc in Politics from University of Bristol and an MSc in International Relations and History from LSE. She lives in London and has three young children.
Environment and Social Responsibility
Email: ceotte@gmail.com
Minerva ChristiaanRakus Senior Associate Gowling WLG Dates at St Mary’s: 2005-2012
Workshop: Law
Minerva is a Senior Associate at Gowling WLG and specialises in Property Litigation. She has been with the firm for 5 years which has taken her to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Minerva studied Law as an undergraduate at the London School of Economics (LSE), and then studied for the LPC at ULaw in Guildford. She trained at a smaller London firm before qualifying at Gowling WLG.
Email: minervarakus@yahoo .co.uk
Lorna Cobbold Associate Producer Cameron Mackintosh production company
Dates at St Mary’s: 1982-1989
Workshop: Performing Arts
Lorna is a prominent theatrical company and stage manager with over 30 years of experience in the performing arts industry. She currently serves as the Associate Producer – International Productions for the renowned Cameron Mackintosh production company. Lorna has held leadership roles in some of the world's most successful West End and Broadway productions. Her career trajectory moved from small outdoor Shakespeare companies to large-scale musical theatre. Key Productions: She has managed iconic shows including Les Misérables, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and the recent revival of Cabaret.
Email: lornacobbold@mac. com
Kate Deighton (Wyvill) Founder. Timegivers Charity Dates at St Mary’s: 1992-1999
Workshop: Charity and Philanthropy
Kate was Team Leader at Kids Company for three years in different East London state schools, collaborating with therapists, promoting health learning and emotional development through play therapy. After completing a course in therapeutic communications with the Metropolitan University, Kate helped set up mentoring programmes, advocating for young people and safeguarding vulnerable children alongside social services. Kate then helped the Startlight's Children's Foundation, with their biggest ever fundraiser. TimeGivers embodies Kate's exceptional skills as a connector and motivator, and underlines her passion for working with children and the charity sector. Through TimeGivers, Kate promotes intergenerational connection, raising awareness of the impact of volunteering and instilling the values of kindness and the sense of joy and purpose that this can bring, within the caregivers of the future.
Email: kate@timegivers.com
Jemima Denham Private Credit Reporter Reuters
Dates at St Mary’s: 2011-2018
Workshop: Journalism and Media
Jemima is a London-based journalist and is currently a correspondent at Reuters, where she writes for its specialist publication, The Insurer, covering risk, UK and European insurance companies and financial services. Her earlier reporting spans both local and global newsrooms including 9fin, Bloomberg and Forbes, where she covered billionaires, health, wealth and business stories. She has contributed to lists like The Forbes 400 and the Forbes 30 Under 30 and been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine. She holds a MSc in Journalism from Columbia University and a BA in Politics and English from Georgetown University. Her very first start in journalism was writing for WHAT magazine at St Mary's.
Email: jemimadenham@gm ail.com
Lucy Drummond Brady Credit and Political Risk Insurance Broker COFARCO UK Dates at St Mary’s: 2000-2007
Workshop: International Finance Lucy is Managing Director of Cofarco UK, the UK branch of a French Insurance Broker specialising in Credit and Political Risk Insurance. Having studied Geography at Bristol University, Lucy joined the London graduate scheme of Jardine Lloyd Thompson (since acquired by Marsh) in 2011. She spent 4 years in London as a Credit and Political Risk insurance broker operating in Lloyds of London after which she was seconded to Singapore for a further 4 years. On her return in 2018 she spent another 2 years back in the London team before being offered the opportunity to set up a UK business for an existing European insurance broking firm domiciled in France. She started the UK company in 2020 and continues to run it today.
Email: lucydrummondbrady @hotmail.co.uk
Emily Farr Head of Youth Strategy Department of Work and Pension, HM Government
Dates at St Mary’s: 2009-2016
Workshop: Civil Service /Policy
Emily’s current role is Head of Youth Strategy in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Working to create more opportunities for young people to go into employment and education after school. The government does this by funding and providing support such as Youth Hubs, apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, support in Jobcentres and working with employers to create work opportunities. Emily’s role is to provide briefings and advice to ministers and deliver their ambitions by working with the Treasury to seek funding, and coordinating policy leads across DWP and wider government to create a cohesive offer to young people. Emily joined the Civil Service through the Fast Stream graduate programme in 2020. She has worked in policy in the Department for Transport, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Work and Pensions. She also spent a year in a minister's private office and did a six month private sector secondment.
Email: emilyjsfarr@gmail .com
Louisa Gaynor Banker, Private Finance JP Morgan
Dates at St Mary’s: 2005-2010
Workshop: Investment Banking
Louisa is a banker in J.P. Morgan's Private Banking team. She studied for a degree in Classics at Bristol University before qualifying as a chartered tax adviser and subsequently as a financial and investment adviser. Louisa now works with clients to bring tailored wealth management and investment solutions to them and their families.
Email: louisa_gaynor@hot mail.com
Harriet Jameson (Cochrane) Social Value Director, The National Lottery Dates at St Mary’s: 1990-1997
Workshop: Environment and Social Responsibility After graduating from Edinburgh University with International Business MSc, Harriet spent the next 18 years in the charity sector. This included 10 years coordinating humanitarian aid programmes in conflict zones and responding to natural disasters in Africa and Asia. Back in the UK, she joined Comic Relief and ended up leading their grant making department. In 2020, Harriet moved out of the charity sector into the commercial sector, joining a team that was bidding to take on the 10-year licence to operate the National Lottery. She designed the environmental and social governance strategy in the bid, focussing on how the business would operate the National Lottery in a responsible and ethical way. After winning the bid, she is now responsible for putting that strategy in place as Allwyn’s Social Value Director, ensuring they consider their responsibility to the Planet, People and supporting Prosperous Places in the way they operate.
Email: hcochrane@hotmail .com
Megan Jenkins Midwife St George’s Hospital, London
Dates at St Mary’s: 1998-2005
Workshop: Healthcare After leaving St Mary’s in 2005, Megan read Natural Sciences at Durham University. Unsure what career path to follow, she found herself working for Country Life Magazine, initially as the Editor’s PA and then moving into editorial features and travel writing. After six years Megan finally found and followed her vocation into midwifery. A return to university and a three-year postgrad degree and ‘on the job training’ followed and she qualified as a midwife in 2018. She now works at St George’s Hospital in London, but has had the opportunity to work globally in France, Kenya and running a charitable project in Burma. For years she has been a caseloading/continuity and birth centre midwife and now leads on multidisciplinary training and development alongside clinical work. Outside of the hospital she runs private midwifery courses including hypnobirthing and is also a neonatal resus practitioner. Last year she completed her masters in midwifery. Where next…? After 10 years in the NHS maybe Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or a developmental project in a low resource setting overseas…
Email: :meganejenkins@hot mail.com
Emma King Farlow Artistic Director Shadow Road Productions
Dates at St Mary’s: 1989-1996
Workshop: Emma is a writer, director, producer and actor, and the Artistic Director of Shadow Road Productions, an independent theatre company based in London. She creates imaginative, character-led theatre in a wide range of settings - from West End venues to historic houses, festivals, and schools - frequently working in partnership with organisations such as the National Trust, Combat Stress, Imperial Health Charity and many others. Emma’s work spans both large-scale productions and intimate touring pieces, including her Fireside Folktales series of adaptations, and an Arts Council-funded tour of A Christmas Carol to hospital wards, cancer centres, and care homes. Her writing and directing credits include Dreams From the Pit (Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue), Robin Hood (the London Wetland Centre), and numerous other productions across London and the UK. Emma runs workshops, writing retreats, and training sessions for actors and students, and will shortly be launching her course The Character Lab. She is also Festival Director of the upcoming Fireside Folktales Fringe, a new festival dedicated to accessible, story-led performance in non-traditional spaces. Emma’s career has developed through a combination of practical experience, independent projects, and ongoing training. She is passionate about creating opportunities for others and believes that there is no single 'correct' route into the arts, only the one you build for yourself - which can often be very different to the one you envisaged when starting out!
Performing Arts
Email: ekingfarlow@hot mail.com
Emma Jane Knight MD and Designer ejk cashmere
Dates at St Mary’s: 1978 -1986
Workshop: After years working in high fashion for Chanel, Condé Nast Publications and De Beers, and obtaining a diploma in luxury styling, Emma Jane launched the brand inspired by frequent compliments on her ability to create beautiful, effortless outfits. The designs she creates are timeless, versatile investment pieces for the discerning. They transition seamlessly from day to evening and are ideal for travel. Each garment is crafted to last merging heritage craftsmanship with innovative textile technology to uphold the brand’s core values: discretion, elegance, and natural beauty. At the heart of EMMA JANE KNIGHT is a pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world. Cashmere is central - not only for its softness and rarity but also because it reflects the brand's DNA: refined, natural luxury defined by meticulous craftsmanship, and understated sophistication. The collections are developed using the finest yarn suppliers and artisans in Italy, Scotland, and the UK, ensuring unparalleled quality and attention to detail. The highest standards of ethical sourcing are upheld, using yarns from trusted suppliers like Todd & Duncan and Cariaggi, who meet certifications such as Oeko-Tex 100 Class II, Sustainable Fibre Alliance, and ISO 14001.
Fashion
Email: ejk@emmajane knight.com
Olivia Ladanyi UX Product Designer Capgemini Invent
Dates at St Mary’s: 2007-2014
Workshop: AI and Technology
Olivia is currently working as a UX/Product Designer at Capgemini invent, a large business technology consultancy. She has worked in a number of areas and has designed multiple projects across public and private sectors including: redesigning the global company's intranet and building an app with an embedded AI tool for Burger King restaurant managers to fix broken kitchen equipment. This is now being rolled out in stores across the UK. Olivia is now focussing a lot of her time on AI tools and agents and learning how to use them professionally in her projects. Olivia transitioned to UX and tech 3 years ago after working in Art management for 2.5 years running a private collection. She studied Art History and Spanish at the University of St Andrews.
Email: Olivialadanyi@gmail. com
Theo Louloudis Executive Producer Audible
Dates at St Mary’s: 2004-2011
Workshop: Journalism and Media
Theo Louloudis is an audio documentary maker and Executive Producer at Audible, where she commissions and produces bingeable scripted podcasts investigating real stories. Her work has explored police wrongdoing, catfishing, abuse, medical scandals and crime, and has won a British Journalism Award, a British Press Award and multiple British Podcast Awards. Previously, she was Head of Audio at The Telegraph, where she hosted a daily news podcast and expanded the paper's audio output while covering Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine. Theo studied Modern Languages at Oxford before completing a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at City, University of London.
Email: theodoralouloudis@g mail.com
Saskia Lumley Assistant Editor Sky News
Dates at St Mary’s: 2005-2012
Workshop: Journalism and Media Saskia is an Assistant Editor at Sky News, making key editorial decisions about Sky’s digital output, commissioning original video news content and overseeing production teams through to publishing. Before that Saskia was a Video Journalist at Sky News, producing, at times shooting, and editing long and short form video. This included delivering a fast turnaround breaking news content, as well as more bespoke long form projects, documentaries and investigations. She’s worked on screen and off screen. Previous jobs include GB News, in charge of outputting the hourly and half hourly news bulletins as well as manning the news desk and LBC, where Saskia was the brand’s sole Video Content Producer. She has worked on Channel 4 documentaries (Unreported World) as well as digital video content for newspapers like The Telegraph and The Evening Standard. Saskia studied English Language and Literature (BA) at Oxford University and has a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from City, University of London.
Email: salumley@hotmail. co.uk
Flora Macdonald Johnson Fashion Editor ROBE.D, The Glossary Magazine
Dates at St Mary’s: 2004-2011
Workshop: Fashion
Email:
Flora is Fashion Editor, Stylist and Director of her own Creative Consultancy ROBE.D assisting luxury fashion and beauty brands with digital content, styling, shoot production, strategy, ecommerce, editing, creative direction and marketing. She continues to write for a number of fashion outlets and was previously Fashion Editor at the Financial Times.
fmacdonaldjohnston @gmail.com
Cecilia McKenzie (Savundra) Managing Associate Addleshaw Goddard Dates at St Mary’s: 2001-2005
Workshop: International Finance Cecilia is a Managing (Senior) Associate in the Private Funds Group at Addleshaw Goddard. She advises investors on primary and secondary investments in funds, and co-investment opportunities and fund managers on the structuring, establishment, and marketing of private funds. Cecilia studied Classics at Oriel College, Oxford and completed her LLB at the College of Law, before moving to Hong Kong in 2012 where she trained and qualified in Corporate & M&A Transactions at Nixon Peabody CWL, while also carrying out further postgraduate exams at the University of Hong Kong (PCLL). She transitioned to investment funds in 2018 and moved to Eversheds Sutherland, where she worked as an associate in the Asset Management & Regulatory team before being seconded to HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank as a consultant. She returned to the UK in 2022 with Eversheds where she was seconded to Alliance Berstein, before joining Addleshaw Goddard's Private Funds team.
Email: Cecilia.McKenzie@ addleshawgoddard .com
Diana Mills (Bacon) Lead Advisor Natural England
Dates at St Mary’s: 1992-2000
Workshop: Civil Service /Policy Diana lives just outside Henley-on-Thames with her husband, three children, and a lively collection of animals - ten chickens, six ducks, two dogs and a cat. When they are not at home, you’ll usually find them at the local club playing hockey or cricket. Diana is passionate about protecting the British countryside and its wildlife. After lockdown, she returned to university to complete an MSc in Environmental Management, driven by a desire to play a more active role in protection, restoration and conservation. She now works as an Environmental Advisor within the Enforcement Team at Natural England, the government’s advisory body for nature. Her role is wonderfully varied and includes cases involving wildlife abuse, agricultural damage, waste crime, licence breaches, and issues affecting protected sites. Alongside this, she runs a small outdoor education business that offers forest school sessions, after-school clubs, and holiday programmes. She believes deeply that you can’t protect what you haven’t experienced, and giving children meaningful time in nature is essential for building that connection.
Email: diana.mills@me.com
Cissy Murray Brown Corporate Solicitor Linklaters LLP
Dates at St Mary’s: 2008 - 2015
Workshop: AI Technology
Cissy is a corporate solicitor at Linklaters LLP, specialising in mergers & acquisitions as well as general corporate advisory. She is currently seconded to the GenAI team to help roll out the firm’s AI strategy across the corporate practice and has been on secondment at National Grid plc. She came to law having studied history at Oxford, before doing the GDL and LPC at the University of Law, Moorgate. She completed her training contract at Linklaters, doing seats in corporate, leveraged finance, antitrust and foreign investment, and a secondment to Centrica plc. Her expertise in AI is more its practical application in the legal sector and broader implications on the industry and businesses more generally.
Email: cissy.mb.97@go oglemail.com
Clarissa Otte In House Counsel Man Asset Management
Dates at St Mary’s: 1997-2002
Workshop: Law
Clarissa graduated in 2006 from Oxford University with a degree in French and German and after the law conversion course and LPC, completed her training contract at Travers Smith LLP where she qualified into the Corporate (Private Equity) team. She did a brief secondment at Ambassador Theatre Group on qualification and a year-long secondment at Bridgepoint Capital, a private equity firm. Clarissa left Travers Smith in December 2017 to take a year off to travel and then moved to Singapore in November 2018 to work for Walkers LLP, where she switched from corporate work to hedge funds. She stayed there for 3 years and returned to London to start an in-house position at Man Asset Management, a large asset manager, in December 2021, where she works as in house counsel, specialising in funds.
Email: ceotte@ gmail.com
Leonora Owen (Bailey) Psychotherapist The Priory Dates at St Mary’s: 2003-2010
Workshop: Healthcare
Leonora is a Psychotherapist with a specialism in addiction having worked in a variety of organisations including The Priory Hospital as Deputy Manager of the Addictions Treatment Programme and ADAPT charity in Oxford. Previously, Leonora worked as a School Therapist at Harrow School supporting both staff and boys with additional responsibilities advising HR on staff wellbeing initiatives and co-writing the school’s extended PSHE curriculum. She is currently on maternity leave, returning to private practice in July 2026.
Email: leonora.bailey@yahoo .com
Helena Pollock Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper
Dates at St Mary’s: 2012-2017
Workshop: Law
Following the Career Fair Helena attended when at St Mary’s, she decided to follow the “non-law” route into a legal career despite knowing that is where she ultimately wished to end up. Consequently, she studied History at the University of Edinburgh, completed her law conversion course and did an internship at DLA Piper, which resulted in obtaining a training contract at the firm. Helena is now in her penultimate seat and will have just come back from 6 months at the firm’s Singapore office by March. She is hoping now to qualify as a solicitor into the firm’s Corporate Team in September 2026
Email: helenatp@live.co.uk
Kimberley Smith Senior Associate, London McDermott Will & Schulte
Dates at St Mary’s: 2002-2007
Workshop: Law
Kimberley is a Senior Associate at the London office of the US firm McDermott Will & Schulte, in the commercial disputes team. She also serves as the chair of the London Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Before joining MWS, Kimberley trained at Clyde and Co and then on qualification moved to Watson Farley and Williams. Kimberley studied Law and German Law at Kings College, London, Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin and the College of Law, Moorgate.
Email: kimberleynrsmith@ hotmail.co.uk
Georgie Thompson High Risk Advisor BBC
Katharine Beirne Graduate Civil Engineer
Dates at St Mary’s: 2006-2011
Mott Macdonald
Workshop: Armed Forces
Georgie studied Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University from 2011-2015. She spent 5 years as a British Army officer and another 3 years working for NGOs in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Since 2023 she has worked in the BBC High Risk News Safety team, focusing on the World Service in Africa and Asia.
Email: georgiet4@gmail.com
Philippine Vernes Head of Philanthropy Humanity Insured
Dates at St Mary’s: 2001-2008
Philippine joined Humanity Insured in January 2024 as Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships. As part of the leadership team, she leads HI’s capital mobilisation and partnerships strategy. Working closely with the insurance industry as well as private sector and philanthropic partners, she designs innovative funding models and long-term partnerships that maximise the impact donors can achieve through their capital.
Workshop: Charity and Philanthropy
Before joining Humanity Insured, Philippine led the growth of the Charities Aid Foundation’s international philanthropy proposition, working to unlock private capital for the UN SDGs and strengthen the global environment for philanthropy. She worked with institutional, corporate, and private donors to expand and transform cross-border giving in the UK and internationally. Previously, Philippine served as a philanthropy advisor to UHNWIs and held senior fundraising roles at global cultural institutions, including the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. She brings extensive experience in securing and stewarding philanthropic capital and in partnering with donors and organisations to achieve meaningful, strategic impact. Originally from France and educated in the UK, Philippine is passionate about travel, art, and skiing — and has a particular love of anything involving cheese and wine. She holds an MA in History of Art and Philosophy from Edinburgh and a MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
Email: philippinevernes@ gmail.com
Issy Walsh Senior Project Manager Dorling Kindersley Limited
Dates at St Mary’s: 2006-2013
Workshop: Publishing
Issy has worked at Dorling Kindersley Limited for the last eight years. Issy studied Classics at Royal Holloway, University of London and she started as a Personal Assistant and has worked her way up to senior project manager. Issy now runs two lists in the Children’s department and works with all of Dorling Kindersley’s international teams.
Email: :isobel_walsh23@hot mail.com