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ROB PIERRE BE THE CHANGE! Whether it’s work, family, golf or philanthropy, ‘be the change’ is the ethos that underpins every aspect of RGS parent, Rob Pierre’s life. As CEO of award-winning digital marketing company, Jellyfish, his passion and drive show no sign of diminishing. But his journey has not been a simple one...
Schooled by priests in the West Indies
Rob (pictured left) with his younger brother Kenric, who drowned when he was nine.
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My Dad was from Trinidad and was in the Royal Air Force – he met my Mum while stationed in the UK. I was born in Chertsey Hospital, and we lived in Woking, but moved to Trinidad when I was four. So, from four to 14, I lived in Trinidad. I attended Briggs Prep School, followed by St Mary’s College, which was known as ‘CIC’ (College of the Immaculate Conception), where I was taught by priests. Trinidad is a small island and the perception is that to make your mark on the world, you need an education. My parents split up when I was 14 and I returned to the UK. When I joined the Third Form at St Bede’s I felt like I was ahead of everyone else, so I just cruised. Bear in mind that my peers had been together for years and here I was from the West Indies with the strongest Trinidadian accent! Ironically, when I went back to Trinidad, everyone thought I had a strong British accent, so neither side treated me like it was home. Some of my best friends today didn’t talk to me because they didn’t understand me. My core group of friends from St Bede’s are still my core group of friends today. I was quite artistic and loved problemsolving. Any subjects that required me to
read and retain information weren’t great. I often joke that I’m like a computer: my processing chip is okay, but my hard drive is terrible! I have to keep dumping information to make space for more.
When things don’t go to plan!
I didn’t know what I wanted to do – possibly something around animation, robotics or computing. We didn’t have a lot of money, but then I saw a Computer Studies degree course at Portsmouth, where IBM paid you to study for three years, with a guaranteed job at the end. Places were highly sought after, but I completed the application form and made it through to the two-day assessment, which was like the most aggressive episode of The Apprentice! The smartest people congregated at IBM HQ for aptitude tests, role playing, group sessions and interviews. It was tough, but I was accepted. I told my friends and family that my life was on track… then failed my Physics A level and the offer was withdrawn. I had to figure out what to do next! I looked at studying Computer Graphics at Ravensbourne but needed to have done a foundation course. It was too late to apply to Reigate Art College, so I figured I’d take a year out. I went to Gatwick Airport looking for a job and ended up at Sunglass Hut.
