Spotlight on Alumnae Careers

We are so grateful to the many alumnae who have attended careers events and lunches in recent years. Whilst face to face events may not happen as usual this year, if you would be interested in sharing your career journey, we are exploring online sessions and podcasts as ways to share your experiences with our students. Please email alumnae@wim.gdst.net if you would like to be involved – it doesn’t matter whether you left 5 years or 50 years ago!

Dr Harriet Baker (Class of 2004) ONCOLOGY REGISTRAR

After school, Harriet went to Leeds University to study a BSc in Pharmacology. “I ended up doing Medicine as a post-graduate and am SO glad I didn’t rush into it when I was 18. The constant studying and acquisition of a high amount of responsibility from a young age are not decisions or experiences that should be rushed. When I applied to medical school, I had finished a BSc, travelled and worked as a healthcare assistant for a year. I was 100% sure I wanted to be a doctor and haven’t looked back.”

Harriet’s advice to students now would be “If you are not ready to decide what you want to do as a career, it is ok. Get some experience in things that interest you and decide later. Success is being ok with failing and not letting it put you off. I got rejected from medical school twice before I got in!” During the pandemic, Harriet was asked to step forward and serve in the front line with Covid-19 patients, which, whilst challenging, also gave her a real sense of achievement.

Priti Verma (Class of 1993) CHIEF RISK OFFICER, BROOKS MACDONALD GROUP PLC

Priti studied Physics, Maths and Chemistry at A Level and went on to complete a Masters in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College, London. Priti chairs the City Networking Group for the GDST which provides an opportunity for GDST alumnae, working in the City of London, at all levels to connect and develop their careers.

Priti describes her career as a process of elimination. Whilst at WHS, Priti completed a couple of work Rachel Wilshaw, née Kirby (Class of 1976) ETHICAL TRADE MANAGER, OXFAM Rachel joined WHS in the Sixth Form, “I was not happy at my previous school, I always felt that being academic was not supported, then I remember arriving at WHS and being taken seriously for the first time.” After studying English, History and French at A Level, Rachel continued her love of the Arts and went on to read English literature at the University of Cambridge and completed a History of Art Diploma at the University of Oxford. She spent six years working Rachel Wang, née Freeman-Wang (Class of 1990) DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION COMPANY AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, CHOCOLATE FILMS After leaving WHS, Rachel studied at the Wimbledon School of Art before going on to Bristol University where she completed a Joint Honours in History of Art and Theology. Despite always knowing she wanted to do something creative, she didn’t decide on film and producing until she was in her 20s and founded production company and social enterprise, Chocolate Films in 2001. Today the company’s clients include Tom Ford, Facebook and the Royal Collection. She was nominated for GDST Alumna of the Year in 2020. experiences; first teaching but decided that she lacked the necessary patience and then medicine but after fainting on a patient during an angioplasty, she decided she probably didn’t have the stomach for it. Then at university, Priti completed work experiences on oil refineries and in factories which led to the conclusion that a career in industry was also not what she wanted to do. Management Consultancy was Priti’s first career choice which helped her narrow down her career path to the fields of finance and regulation. Bringing her experiences in finance, process reengineering, risk management and compliance together has led her to her role as Chief Risk Officer. “My advice to current students is to try everything, keep your options open and have the belief that you

can do anything that you put your mind to.” in exhibitions, before joining Oxfam where she advises companies on best practice in relation to labour rights in global supply chains. Whilst Covid-19 has had a detrimental effect on Oxfam’s fundraising, specifically around their stores, which bring in millions of pounds every month, festivals, events and marketing opportunities, it has presented the opportunity to campaign on other issues, such as ensuring everyone has access to clean water, which is now more important than ever. Having graduated during a recession, Rachel’s advice to students graduating now is to live in the moment and worry less. “You have the best educational start as a WHS alumna.”

Rachel is passionate about reaching out to diverse community groups. Her documentaries about brave women in the city, led to an all-female filmmaking project to empower girls to make their own documentaries. Rachel sits on numerous boards including the National Portrait Gallery, the Creative Industries Federation and the British Film Institute and would love to head up an organisation such as the BFI in the future - “[I believe] It is so important for someone with my experience and background to lead in the media as a beacon for the next generation of women of colour.” Her advice to anyone leaving school is to research all your options, ask all the experts lots of questions and remember that there are many routes to get to the destination that you dream of. “Success is being able to fail and not give up.”

Lucy Arditti (Class of 2009) SCRIPT EDITOR

Lucy studied English Literature, French, History and Graphic Design at A Level and went on to study at the University of Edinburgh, where she felt lucky to be able to be a part of the Edinburgh Fringe every summer, developing her love of writing and comedy production. Lucy now works as a Script Editor for Eleven Films and recently worked on Netflix’s acclaimed show ‘Sex Education’.

Having joined WHS in Year 8, Lucy recalls feeling nervous on her first day, assuming everyone would have already established friendship groups. Future Head Girl, Hannah Nonnenmacher sat with her during her first lesson and they remain friends to this day. Camilla Morton (Class of 1994) FASHION CONSULTANT, WRITER AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR Camilla is a London-based style and fashion consultant and author of the international bestseller ‘How to Walk in High Heels.’ She’s worked for some of the biggest names in fashion, including Dior and has been published in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and many more. Camilla joined WHS in the final year of prep school, and unsurprisingly recalls the green and white overalls and uniform. Camilla always knew she wanted to work in fashion and was inspired by Mrs Todd, who was then Head of Art, to study a foundation course at Kingston University in Art and Design rather than follow a more ‘traditional route’; she believes this opened her eyes to the world, to creatives and helped build her portfolio and establish what area of fashion she wanted to work in. Camilla went on to study Fashion She credits Ms. Preece’s no nonsense approach to teaching English with her decision to pursue English Literature at university. “I didn’t know exactly where I was heading, but I think I always wanted to do something in a creative industry, so my younger self probably wouldn’t be surprised at the field I’m working in now.’ Lucy’s advice to anyone starting out in the media industry is to “take things one step at a time and run your own race. Remember that even the experiences that don’t seem to lead anywhere will teach you something, don’t worry about having to make the ‘right’ decision at every stage, be ready for opportunities when they come along, and try to be a

decent person to those around you.” Communications and Promotions at Central Saint Martins and worked at Vogue before moving to Paris to collaborate with John Galliano at Dior, “I followed my heart, rather than convention and ended up working for the most exciting and creative designer in the world.” Her advice to students is to enjoy the now, do it for yourself and not for others, to take up new interests and remember that some days will be harder than others. “There are many different routes, and all are equally important and equally valid. As much as you are studying in class try to ‘learn’ who you are - make friends and enjoy the living as much as the learning. The friends you make at school can help you grow into the person you’ll become, so encourage them as much as they encourage you. You don’t need to be the most popular, but try to be the most loyal, the kindest, the most imaginative - these are far better skills to have.”