9 minute read
FAREWELL FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT ELLIOTT
Robert Elliott’s five-year tenure as Tonbridge’s Chair of Governors will conclude at the end of the Summer Term. His relationship with the School, which now spans more than a quarter of a century, began as a parent, when his boys – firstly Robbie, and later James – were boarders at Park House in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Robert became a governor at Tonbridge in 2003, and has led the governing body with great distinction since 2017.
A Law graduate, he trained as a solicitor before embarking on a stellar career that saw him rise to the position of Chairman and Senior Partner with global law firm, Linklaters LLP. In the past five years, he has held other senior positions with banking and wealth management firms and has also been an adviser to the Government on the implications of Brexit for UK law.
Here Robert looks back on his life, career and long association with Tonbridge in a conversation with Nick Ellwood, the School’s Head of Communications.
Tell me a little about your background: where did you grow up?
I grew up first in Newcastle, then in Leeds. I went to a direct grant school, called Leeds Grammar School, and then attended Queen Mary College in 1970, which was part of the University of London, to read Law.
Why did you choose Law?
Mainly because it was regarded as a good, professional qualification. My initial idea was to go to drama school, and I also considered perhaps doing English and Drama as a degree. My father was very much against this, though, and there was, perhaps, a bit of a conspiracy between him and my Headmaster to put me on the track into Law, but looking back they were probably right to do so!
This clearly is a field you’ve enjoyed, as this is where you’ve spent most of your career.
I rather fell into it, I suppose, at first, but yes, I soon found that I liked the Law. I was soon able to earn a living and to meet my aim of being independent. Above all, I can honestly say I enjoyed working in law, from the very day I started, right up until now, so I count myself as fortunate. It’s important to enjoy what you’re doing.
Your eldest son came to Tonbridge in 1995. Why did you choose the School?
When we were choosing, and considering boarding, we visited Tonbridge and met the Headmaster, Martin Hammond. It struck us that Tonbridge was a very high-quality, straightforward place, where our son would get an all-round, grounded education. It wasn’t flash in any way. I also spoke to some OTs I knew in my practice, who confirmed all this, and not long after Robbie started in Park House. John Gibbs was still a housemaster at that time!
What other impressions of Tonbridge did you form as a parent?
Well, it was fairly traditional, which is not necessarily a bad thing – but nonetheless progressive in many areas. One thing I realised was that it suited different types of boys. My first boy was very sporty, a captain of rugby and so on, and my second boy was a music scholar, so I was able to see at first hand the diversity, and the excellence, of what Tonbridge had to offer.
Back at that time, I would say that the School probably needed to be a bit more worldly, and a bit more global, in its outlook. I think great strides have been made over the years since then.
Did your boys enjoy their time here?
They loved it and they were very happy here. Back to what I was saying about the diversity: Park House had a reputation for being very sporty, but by the time Jamie, my youngest, was there, they won the House Music Competition for the first time. Nothing stands still at Tonbridge: there is always change.
How does today’s School differ from the one that you first came across in 1995?
Let’s start with the physical: that’s not to say this is the most important aspect, but without question there has been a huge investment in facilities: the Tonbridge School Centre, the refurbishment of the Smythe Library, and the opening of the Barton Science Centre, to name just three major projects.
Widening access was already an objective back when I joined as parent, and as a governor, but in more recent years we have developed a clearer idea of what we are trying to achieve in this area. It’s a key strategic focus, not least
for the character of the School, for the benefit of Tonbridge boys overall, and from a societal point of view. We can’t fix the world, but we can make our contribution, and we are of course asking parents to come with us as we achieve these goals. Our parent body is very supportive: I’m pretty sure that’s not just wishful thinking on my part.
Do you think that Tonbridge now plays an ever bigger role in the community?
A community role was always there, but with the facilities we now have, and all the various initiatives led by Tonbridge Community Action, for instance, I think the School has thrown itself into community work on a very impressive scale. Establishing our partnership with the Marsh Academy some years back was a really important step and gave us some momentum on the community side, and plenty of activity has followed since.
One of the things I like most about Tonbridge is the way it is attached to the town and plays its part there. Both the town and the School benefit from the relationship, and I especially like the way it grounds the boys. Being in the town is far better than being on a remote site, in splendid isolation, and it gives us the perfect base for all our community outreach.
What else has made you proud in recent times?
What our staff have done, collectively, in sustaining the School through the pandemic – in maintaining its educational provision, and minimising disruption – has been a remarkable effort by all, and little short of miraculous. It reflects on the quality of the people we have in the School: the governing body, and the Skinners’ Company, have been very proud of what was achieved.
Widening access is clearly a subject close to your heart: why is that?
As I see it, if we existed only for financially privileged children, this would narrow down what we were doing and what we were capable of. Having a more diverse student body brings greater stimulus, different perspectives and a greater richness of experience. It is not only those gaining some assistance who benefit, but the entire School.
A commitment to widening access makes us a better, more vibrant place, and one where education can truly flourish in every sense. I would even say that it makes us more attractive to prospective parents. It is also very important to get the balance right, and not to over-burden our existing parents, and so the major fundraising we are doing to help achieve these goals, with initiatives such as Giving Day, has a vital role in making all this succeed.
Do you get to meet many Tonbridge boys in your role?
Yes, and when I do it strikes me that some things don’t change, such as the speed with which they eat their meals! A more serious observation is that I feel today’s boys are perhaps more aware of and have a greater sensitivity towards issues such as discrimination, racism and sexism. I think we’ve come a long way: no doubt there is still further to go, but this is a credit to the School as a whole and its ethos of tolerance and respect for others. I always enjoy talking to the boys, and I learn something from them every time.
What moments from your time as Chair of Governors really stand out?
There have been lots of wonderful occasions. The Leavers’ Concert on Skinners’ Eve is an obvious highlight. Skinners’ Day itself is also a memorable occasion: the plays, the sporting fixtures and some of the academic prizes, for instance, which highlight the talent of the boys.
It is breathtaking to see what they have achieved, how much ability they have and how their skills have been developed at Tonbridge. Seeing a vibrant, thriving school, bringing out the best in its pupils, is perhaps the best thing about being a governor.
I’ve had a connection going back to 1995, in which time I’ve seen some great boys going through the School: equally, we’ve had so many fine teachers and other members of staff. This is a place of quality, and that is always something worth remembering and holding on to. One message I have for all our boys and OTs is that, in this age of information overload, we need more clear and independent thinking than ever, and Tonbridge certainly has its role to play here.
What do you find time to enjoy, away from your professional and School life?
I love yacht and sailboat racing, a passion I discovered at university. In my 20s, before we had children, I did a lot of racing, both inshore and offshore; later I taught my children how to sail, and resumed the racing once the boys were grown up and had left home. I always feel that if I’ve been out on the water, I’ve never wasted my time. I’ve also been involved for some years with Sir Ben Ainslie and his team, helping with legal and other advice. Family life, of course, is always important, and my wife and I enjoy the opera too.
Will it be a busy final few months for you as Chair?
Yes, there will be lots to do. I want to leave things in very good shape, and of course ensure that our integration with The New Beacon continues to go well. There is always plenty to look at, and scrutinise, in terms of where we are as a School, and where we need to put our focus. My ethos is always that we must do the best job we can for our boys, in providing an education. We strive for excellence, at Tonbridge, and it has been a privilege to play my part.
I take it that you would recommend being a governor to others reading this…
Yes, I would, either in the independent or state sector. It’s interesting work. You are with others who are committed to doing the best for a school, you’ll learn about educational trends, and it stretches and develops you as a person. It’s truly worthwhile, in my experience!
