MBE FOR SERVICES TO EDUCATION FOR IAN

We recently learned that Ian Forster (OW 1974) was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list of 2019 “for services to education and to the British Community”. The award was conferred by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, attended by Ian and his close family – many congratulations, Ian!

Leaving WGS in 1974, imbued with a lifelong love of Music, History, English and football (playing and watching), Ian embarked on an interesting journey through life despite, in his own words: "Sadly showing little talent for Latinand other subjects!"

Ian’s award was the culmination of 21 years of international school leadership and headship. His last position, as head of The Anglo-American School of Moscow and St Petersburg, a diplomatic International Baccalaureate (IB) school with 1,500 students aged between 4 and 18, took place amidst ever growing tensions between the host country and the supporting embassies. The pressures were particularly felt after the Ukraine crisis of 2014, which culminated in the forced closure of their St Petersburg campus by the Russian government in 2018.

A gap year in an accounting office was followed by university, after which he moved to the South East and entered the commercial world; moving from a general office position into management, then company directorship. Approaching a decade as a company director, Ian decided it was time for a change. He made the radical transfer to education, moved back to the Midlands, specifically Herefordshire, and began working in the state education sector. Six years later, encouraged by a friend, the family discussed the idea of working overseas and this triggered the start of a new chapter in their lives.

The family moved to the Sultanate of Oman, for six years, before Ian gained his first headship at The International School of The Hague, in the Netherlands, an IB school of 1,300 students aged between 4 and 18. Here, he was instrumental in the building of a new campus before leaving for Russia.

Steering the School in Russia through troubled political waters was not always easy but Ian looks back on his 11 years there very fondly, particularly the community within the School, the warmth of the Russian people, and the culture and history of the country - which he and his wife fully engaged with. They became regular attendees at the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, among others, and travelled widely around the region. They loved their time overseas and Ian says that, in many ways, he wishes they could have been abroad longer to experience even more.

Now back home in Herefordshire, Ian is still involved in international education as a consultant and, though travel has not been on the cards recently, has been supporting school management and governors, delivering professional development, project management and mentoring via video call. He is also a governor at a local school and is involved in several community projects. Ian has been married to Susan - a physiotherapist and subsequent humanities teacher - for 40 years. They have two daughters, both of whom are teachers; one son, an accountant; and five grandchildren.

Taking Silk

William Thomas (OW 1991) was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel in December 2020, with effect from March 2021, for excellence in advocacy in the highest courts of England and Wales, as well as in tribunals or arbitrations. The appointments are made by Her Majesty The Queen, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, following consideration by an independent panel.

Will’s law journey began with a Law conversion course in Surrey, sponsored by Eversheds, where he subsequently worked for, just shy of, 18 years and became a partner. During this time, he arbitrated in Paris and worked as a solicitor in public international law; advocacy played a huge part in this. In February 2017, Will moved to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he is now a partner, and specialises in international commercial arbitration. He has represented parties before both the International Court of Justice and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. Of 281 applicants, Will is one of 116 to have been successful after a rigorous selection process.

Sophie Takes On The London Marathon

In October, Sophie Warren (OW 2013) completed the 41st London Marathon in just 4 hours 50 minutes, raising £2,425 for The Haven Wolverhampton, a local charity supporting women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse.

The non-profit organisation, which is often supported by students at WGS, is very close to Sophie’s heart having been founded in 1972 by her late grandfather. During her time at School, Sophie volunteered at various refuges and at The Haven’s head office in the marketing department, phoning corporate sponsors; Sophie knew the importance of fundraising in helping the charity to continue providing support.

Seeing the London Marathon place advertised by the charity, coupled with her love of running, made it the perfect opportunity for Sophie to build on her grandfather’s lifetime contributions to a very worthy local cause.

After completing the run, Sophie received drawings from children at the refuges as a thank you present and reflected on her achievement: “This touching gift re-emphasises the importance of supporting local charities and the individuals that benefit from the fundraising”.

We look forward to hearing about Sophie’s continued involvement with The Haven; coming soon is a project focused on education and employment opportunities. Congratulations Sophie for successfully completing the 26.2 miles in the capital and raising valuable funds – you have done your grandfather proud!