[New] Official Opening of new Student Centre at Kingston

councillors, Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Kingston University, Head Teachers of local secondary schools, Aim Higher, current and former governors of Kingston College, Kingston Council representatives, employers, staff, student ambassadors and student council members – as well as the construction and design teams who were instrumental in delivering the building.

Pearson Hards reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023

Kingston College celebrated the completion of its fantastic new Student Centre at Kingston Hall Road with an official opening ceremony on Thursday 10 November 2022.

The £10 million remodelling was officially opened by The Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Yogan Yoganathan MBE, Mayoress Saro Yoganathan, local

The opening was marked with the unveiling of a plaque by The Right Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, a music performance from former Music Performance student, Emily Lucas, and aerial dancer displays from twin sisters, Alessia and Isabella di Giulio, who are current Technical Theatre students. A further guest of honour was George the Dog, by renowned contemporary animal sculptor and former student, Kendra Haste, who works with the medium of galvanised wire.

The wonderful catering was created, prepared and served by current Hospitality and Catering students from the Taste Restaurant at Merton College, who are studying Level 2 Food and Beverage Service Skill and Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery, with filming and photography captured by Kingston College Media students. Student Ambassadors provided tours of the new facilities.

As we reach the start of a new year, it’s often a good time of reflection to assess how well the last year has gone and to consider the challenges ahead. Thankfully, for us, 2022 was a very positive year at Pearson Hards and, following the challenges of 2020, the firm has gone from strength to strength. In the last 18 months to 2 years, we have recruited some really excellent new talent in the form of newly qualified solicitor, Flavia Mongiello, who joined our Wealth Management team. Paul Denza joined us and brings an extensive experience in Trusts and Taxation which has been a great addition to our Probate and Wills team. Daniela Litsova has also joined our Property team and she brings a wealth of knowledge of both residential and commercial property matters. The new starters have fitted in so well with our existing team and are working brilliantly together.

Our trainee Elena Mitejko qualified in the summer of 2022 and now works as a Family solicitor, working with Partner, Emma Rothstein Alex Copson joined us as our new trainee, having previously worked in our Wills and Probate team. He has had an excellent start working with our Commercial Property department and will be soon moving on to his next seat in March. We are very proud of our team and the achievements they have brought to the firm.

We have also enjoyed socialising as a firm again, which hasn’t happened as much since the Covid-19 pandemic. We enjoyed a wonderful evening at Sandown Racecourse in September for our staff and their partners. We laughed, we drank and we (in most part) lost money on the races, but it was such a pleasure to be back together again.

We hope that 2023 be as good a year for us and our staff. There are certainly challenges ahead with the current economic climate, but we are confident we will weather the storm with a fantastic team and wonderful clients on our side.