King Edward's School Home Old Edwardians Website

2000 - 2009

Mohammed Ali (2000)

I am the founding Director of Aid Works, a social enterprise which helps organisations in Africa, including South Sudan. If students or the School want to know more, we run courses on how to get into aid work (Careers in Aid), and also run an interactive school workshop called 'Donor for a Day'. (31/7/15)

Aid Works Founding Director, Mo Ali, has won the Young Consultant of the Year award at the prestigious British Expertise International Awards 2016.

This annual competition provides an opportunity for leading professional services sector firms to showcase their outstanding recent achievements overseas. Mo beat off intense competition to win the award, judged by a panel of industry experts, led by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The award was presented at a gala dinner, attended by His Royal Highness and The Rt Hon Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development.

His Royal Highness said, “As Chair of the judges, I can report that, once again, the Awards entries have overall been of outstanding quality, demonstrating the consistent, world-class innovation that is being delivered by UK companies in this sector in response to ever more challenging demands.”

The Young Consultant of the Year accolade is awarded to the person that has demonstrated serious achievement on the international stage and shows great future potential. Mo was recognised for his incredible impact on health systems in a variety of fragile states. From influencing the strategic direction of USAID’s health portfolio in South Sudan, to supporting the UN reform process through an evaluation of WHO’s presence in Uganda, Kyrgyzstan and Sudan, to training community and government health workers on health information systems: Mo is passionate about transforming the way we work in health at every level. To supplement this, he has founded a successful, UK-based social enterprise – Aid Works – through which he is pulling together a team of like-minded consultants, whilst also training and inspiring the international development workers of tomorrow.

Mo said, “I’m honoured to receive this prestigious award, and for my work with Aid Works to be recognised by this respected industry forum. It comes at an exciting time of expansion for our organisation, as we are gathering a team of talented and like-minded consultants and volunteers with a view to making maximum impact where it is most needed. The gala dinner also enabled us to spread the word about our innovative schools programme, which we have successfully piloted and for which we are seeking corporate sponsorship.” (19/9/16)

David Ault (2000)

Last summer, I travelled 20,000 miles across the US and Canada on my Astrotour 2010, looking at how science communication is done in North America's museums, science centres and planetaria. The trip took four months, and as I travelled, I paid nothing for accommodation by couchsurfing from May to September. Blog: http://astrotour2010.blogspot.com or www.davidault.co.uk. (5/2/11)

Nevjeet Bhagrath (2000)

I have finally made it to Consultant and have taken up a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist post at Thornford Park, Priory Group, Berkshire. Bizarrely, I now work with Amit Chatterjee (1999) who has been a Consultant there for the past two years! (6/2/16)

Richard Head (2000)

I became an Accelerated Freefall Basic Instructor in May 2011. This is essentially a probationary rating; I am hoping to become a full instructor within a few months. The birth of my son put a hold on my training, but Im back at full swing now. Maybe I'll see a few Old Eds learning to skydive over the next year. Currently based at Target Skysports in Lincolnshire on the weekends. Birth of my son, James Michael Head. (21/10/11)

Charlie Hutchings (2000)

Lives with fiancée Helena Stirling in Co. Fermanagh, N Ireland. We had our first baby on the 11 January 2014. A baby girl named Grace. (26/1/14)

Married Dr Helena Stirling in August 2014. (26/10/14)

Raveem Ismail (2000)

Solomon R Ismail was born on the 29th of March, 2012 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to Raveem and Khadija Ismail.

Raveem Ismail has been awarded a DPhil (PhD) by St Edmund Hall, Oxford in Atmospheric Physics. The research pursued was modelling contrails produced by aviation. (10/3/13)

Matthew Reeve (2000)

Having spent nearly nine years across Edgbaston Park Road working on data and business intelligence, I have finally left B15 and have joined the world of consultancy. I now work in Data Visualisation, using a tool called Tableau. I would be delighted to catch up with any Old Ed who is interested in understanding what their data means, whether it is from scientific experiments or large corporate databases. (14/8/13)

Matthew Clarke (2001)

Returned from Afghanistan, again, in late 2013 and have been selected for promotion to Major in 2014. (11/1/14)

Richard Harris (2001)

I am currently undertaking a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. (4/11/11)

Duncan Law (2001)

At the age of 24 I sat down with a good friend and we composed a list of 30 things to do before we were 30 years old. The list has proved an excellent planning tool and has helped us, among other things, to successfully swim the channel, run across the Sahara, race bulls and hurtle down the Cresta Run.

At the top of the list was the rather lofty ambition of climbing Mount Everest, and in April 2015 after a number of years' preparation we made our way to Tibet. Over and beyond reaching the summit our principle aim was to fundraise for the families of Sherpa who had died during the avalanche of 2014, and to do this we planned to hold the world's highest formal dinner party, cooked by the 2 Michelin Star chef Sat Bains. We had secured sponsorship from GH Mumm, Taylors Port, Thomas Pink, and Canada Goose and after acclimatising at base camp we began our initial climb through advanced base camp and on to the North Col, the venue for the dinner party at 7,100m.

Unfortunately it was not to be and on 25 April whilst climbing the North Col our expedition fell victim to the devastating earthquake which was to ravage the region and claim thousands of lives. The earth shook, rocks fell and huge ice columns shattered around us, leaving us little alternative but to sit down and wait out a pretty harrowing couple of minutes. The following day an avalanche, triggered by an aftershock removed a large portion of the fixed ropes below us and left numerous climbers stranded on the mountain. Thankfully we had the necessary safety equipment and experience to be able to evacuate our team and other climbers as we descended.

On returning to base camp and hearing about the devastation in Nepal we decided to abandon our expedition and within days were back under the grey skies of London, still a little shocked about how quickly our situation had changed and how lucky we were to be alive.

Despite not being able to hold the world's highest formal dinner party we have broken our target for sponsorship having raised over £100,000 for Community Action Nepal. Our fundraising efforts continue and our team will be climbing Mont Blanc in September and holding a London event in October to thank all of our sponsors. (17/8/15)

Vikram Banerjee (2002)

Married on 29 October 2011 in Poole to Lydia Carter, whom I met at Cambridge University. (20/10/11)

Mark Colman (2002)

My wife Laura gave birth to our first child on 27 July; a little boy whom we named Harry. In other news I am currently working as an Assistant Principal at a state secondary school in Doncaster. Very busy job but I enjoy the challenge! (19/9/16)

Julian Goode (2002)

I'm currently a barrister specialising in crime and personal injury at St Johns Buildings in Manchester. I had twins, two boys, in February of this year. (31/7/13)

Chris Maskell (2002)

Has recently taken up a posting as the Head of UK Trade & Investment for Iraq, based at the British Embassy in Baghdad. (21/5/13)

Bhavesh Patel (2002)

I married Asha Karia on the 25th May 2013. (31/07/13)

I moved to the Cayman Islands in April this year on a transfer with my law firm (Forbes Hare). My wife is currently pregnant and will move early next year after the baby is born in November. There are a couple of other Old Eds here too (Oliver Goodwin who was my year at KES) and I've got involved with the cricket and hockey teams here – passions which were first born at KES! (19/9/16)

Deepak Patel (2002)

Baby son born on 30th April 2013 - Reiss Patel. Little brother to Alyssa. (31/7/13)

Following several years at Cuadrilla Resources, I've joined South Staffordshire Plc, a water supply and services business, as Group Financial Controller. (5/2/16)

Andy Perryer (2002)

Accepted a job at Kings' Dubai School as a specialist ICT teacher to start in September 2014. Marrying Danuta Sophie Tkaczynska on 9 August 2014 in West Sussex. (3/5/14)

Charles Singleton (2002)

Served on Op Olympics providing security for both the main games and Paralympics. Participated in the Diamond Jubilee as a cermonial street liner. Training in preparation for a deployment to the Falkland Islands at Christmas 2012 and Kenya in 2014. 

M Tabish Ahmed (2003)

Graduated with a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Birmingham. Paper: Hu Y, Henderson B, Lund PA, Tormay P, Tabish Ahmed M, Gircja SS, Besra GS, Coates ARM (2008) A Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutant lacking the groEL homologue cpn60.1 is viable but fails to induce an inflammatory response in animal models of infection. Infect Immun, 76 (4), 1535-1546. (10/8/11)

Rob Arnott (2003)

I left my corporate job in 2015 to launch Okapi Home (www.okapihome.com) along with my sister Claire (KEHS, 2005). Although early days for the business – an African-inspired homeware and gifts brand working with small-scale artisans in East and Southern Africa – I am enjoying my new-found freedom and the ready-made excuse to travel to Africa! (8/2/16)

Saqib Bhatti (2003)

In the past year, I qualified as an ACA and a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. I qualified at Big 4 firm, Deloitte, and have recently moved to my own company, Younis Bhatti & Co. Ltd specialising in audit, taxation and accounts preparation. In addition I have recently been elected to the Institute of Asian Businesses' Executive Committee and as a committee we are part of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and represent Asian Businesses across the Midlands. (8/6/11)

Royce Chan (2003)

2nd year of qualifying. Working at Newham hospital. (12/1/12)

James Cooper (2003)

Currently moved to Japan for three months to be with my partner who is living and working out here. I have a 10 week modelling contract with Exiles, which started in January. So far I have shot for Sense Magazine, which I shot the cover for 5 years ago; Uomo, Pen Magazine, Gooda, GQ Japan and Safari in this short time, so looking forward to the next seven weeks, including Tokyo fashion week in March.

Tokyo Agency: www.exileshype.com/exiles/index.html 

London Agency: www.premiermodelmanagement.com/James_Cooper.html

Meanwhile, I've been running my music event business for four years in London called ReviveHER. This year we're launching the record label and have just bought a five year lease on a loft space studio, where we have been doing some of our music events, in Hackney Wick opposite the Olympic Park. We're completing a renovation on this old space and will be hiring out small studios and the main space as an event space and photo studio. (25/1/14)

Rupert Haines (2003)

I am engaged to Miss Louise Temple and set to marry on 6 April 2013 at Dulwich College, South East London, near to where we live. I am extremely happy to say there will be a decent batch of Old Eds in attendance and I suspect "where the iron heart of England..." may ring out at some point (perhaps one should constrain this to the stag do?). (12/1/13)

Scott Handcock (2003)

Since leaving the BBC I’ve been working as a producer and director for Big Finish Productions, pulling together original dramas, in addition to new audio versions of franchises like Doctor Who and Torchwood, working alongside actors like David Warner, John Sessions, Eve Myles, Celia Imrie, Alexander Vlahos, John Barrowman and many more!

Late last year, being a bit of a horror buff, I was able to complete a lifetime ambition and spearhead my own production of Dracula on audio – starring horror fan and Sherlock/League of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss as the Count himself. It’s a project I’m very proud of, due to land in May this year, and a solid representation of the work I undertake.

More info on this and everything else can be found at: www.bigfinish.com. (5/2/16)

Nicholas Parton (2003)

Nicholas Parton married Melissa Rose Brownlee on 14 June 2014. His best man was OE Simon Harding (2003). (13/7/14)

Paul Freeman-Powell (2004)

As well as becoming a father in September 2013, I was also appointed as the CEO of Telecoms Cloud by the board of directors.

Our daughter, Isabella Joyce Freeman-Powell, was born on 21st September 2013. (24/1/14)

My wife and I found out we're expecting twins back in October so along with our two-year-old we'll soon be officially outnumbered! Work-wise, my company, Telecoms Cloud, launched its much-anticipated API which empowers software developers and system integrators with tools to enable the Internet of Things - exciting stuff! Any OEs working on similar projects or with telecoms requirements should get in touch, I'd love to talk and see how we can work together. (5/2/16)

James Neale (2004)

The Neales were finalists on Britain's Got Talent 2015 and are a singing act made up of father, Laurie 59, and his three sons who all attended KES: James 29 (2004), Dan 26 (2007) and Phil 25 (2008). 

They wowed the British public and four celebrity judges in their first audition with their vocal harmonies and family bond when performing the Everly Brothers' When Will I Be Loved. They performed an emotional version of Cat Stevens' Father & Son in the live semi-final and they received almost 500,000 votes, even made television history when they made Simon Cowell cry! In the live final they faced some stiff competition and finished 9th overall after performing their own version of Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up.

The Neales now have well over 5 million YouTube hits and have started performing gigs across the country. They have recently performed at the School's Ruddock Performing Arts Centre as guests of Emmy and BAFTA Award winning composer/musician John Altman.

Rob Hollyhead (2004)

Married Laura Connolly at Faithlegg House Hotel, Waterford, Ireland on May 18th 2013. (10/6/13)

Hasnain Ramji (2004)

Nasreen and I are pleased to announce the birth of our daughter, Sumayah Ramji. (28/7/17)

Joe Speight (2004)

I work as a television football commentator, and I've recently been asked by ITV to be part of their commentary team for the World Cup in the summer. I'll be based in Rio for the tournament and will cover several matches live on ITV. Aside working for ITV I also commentate on Premier League football for Sky Sports. (24/1/13)

Charles Karu Singleton (2005)

It has been a busy one! As a serving officer with the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment based in Woolwich London we have been heavily involved in ceremonial duties. Having served on a number of ceremonial guards at Windsor Castle, the Tower of London and Queen's Guards at Buckingham Palace I have had the privilege of conducting the Ceremony of the Keys, the Changing of the Guard and to carry the Regimental Colour on Parade. The opportunity to hosts guest in St James' Palace has been memorable too. The highlight this year for Ceremonial events though was obviously the Royal Wedding during which I commanded one of the Half Companies of men who lined the route for Prince William and Kate Middleton. 

It hasn't however just been ceremonial duties this year as I spent the summer in the Falkland Islands commanding a Fire Support Group with our A Coy. Whilst there we conducted patrols to outlying settlements (both East & West Falklands) as well as the more well known places like Stanley and Goose Green. We also spent a significant amount of time on Onion Ranges as I trained my guys on the General Purpose Machine Gun. The 18 mile march back to camp in the snow of a Falklands winter proved interesting... Probably why we finished in 5 hours! One of the highlights proved the opportunity to visit South Georgia courtesy of HMS Edinburgh. So with 9 soldiers I departed for the 4 day journey to the islands. Located 850 nautical miles from the Falklands, S Georgia lies in the Arctic circle. Home to the Grytviken whaling station (disused) and the Science station there were 10 people on the islands when we arrived after an eventful sea journey (soldiers don't have sea legs!). Disembarking we conducted a Coastal patrol past Sir Ernest Shakletons grave, the whaling station and down Penguin River. Passing through numerous fur seal colonies the wildlife highlight proved to be a trio of penguin chicks who decided to join us for lunch! Sadly with temperatures dropping to -15 with a wind chill around -25 we had to cut the patrols down and return before the seas caught us out. After a very rocky first night at sea we settled in for the return journey including an underway resuming from HMS Black Rover. After that a week on exercise conducting live fire training and we returned to the UK.

After a short summer leave I travelled to California for a two week course in Advanced Free Fall skydiving at Perris Valley. The course took us from zero to hero in skydiving. Jumps were at 13,000 ft for 45 secs of free fall with initially two instructors then one then solo after level 7. To pass though you needed to achieve a dive exit, back flip left and right 360 turns, a track and a track turn! The exits varied from backwards off the skyvan to climbing outside the Otters to then fall off. All in all terrifying but a great rush! Work will kick in the day after I get back as I take 9 gun teams to the Salisbury Plain to train as Machine Gunners for the battalion in preparation for our future tour to Afghanistan. The end of the year will also see me hand over my Platoon and start a staff job in preparation for the Olympics. 2012 I feel will prove as eventful as this year! (21/10/11)

Lingxi Wang (2005)

I am engaged to Miss Tiffany Kwok and our wedding will take place on 6 September 2014 in London. (26/1/14)

David Wheatley (2005)

KES gave me a love of foreign languages, particularly German, which I read at Durham. After spending time living and working in Germany - working in the field of strategic consultancy, I returned to the UK last year and established a translation company called Dot Comma Translations Ltd. We have grown very quickly, and now have three members of staff. We cover a variety of languages, from German to Chinese, French to Arabic, and have helped a number of companies, including Birmingham-based ones, to translate their marketing materials for use in overseas markets. (24/10/11)

I started work last September at Saville & Co., a firm of scrivener notaries in the City of London. I shall be getting married on 21st September 2013 to Rebecca Cunningham, whom I met whilst at Durham University. (04/8/13)

Peter Wood (2005)

I have been awarded a Doctorate from The Open University for my work studying the contemporary growth of cycling in London. I am currently preparing an investigation into behaviour change and transport campaigning, including pro-car campaigns, bus-user groups and the politics of walking. If you would like to know more, please contact: DemandfForIntegratedTransport@gmail.com(12/2/16)

Owen Chan (2006)

I work for the Metropolitan Police Force and am hoping to join the Royal Protection Squad. Married Lois Hamilton-Chan (ex EHS) in October 2014 in Abu Dhabi. (23/1/15)

Miles Drew (2006)

In May 2014 I was promoted for the second time in less than 12 months to the position of Senior Planner at GVA in Birmingham. Shortly afterwards in June, I was selected by the Royal Town Planning Institute as an 'Outstanding Achiever' in the Institute's Assessment of Professional Competence, the process through which town planners achieve chartered status. The award placed me in the top 12 out of over 500 candidates to have gone through the APC process in 2013. (20/9/14)

Wikum Jayatunga (2006)

I'm a junior doctor and starting a new job as a Public Health Registrar in the London KSS Deanery. (31/7/15)

Andrew Miller (2006)

I got married to Katherine Donaldson on 4th July in Oxford! That's news I'm happy to shout about! (31/7/15)

Sameer Patel (2006)

Graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine. (17/7/12)

Ian Sheldrake (2006)

Married Laura-Sophie James on 26 July 2014. (26/8/14)

Tom Amarnani (2007)

I qualified as a solicitor on 4 January and have taken up a Corporate role as an Associate at Mills & Reeve LLP (Birmingham office).

Paul Pritchett (2007)

Engaged to Florence Woodward on 30th August 2011 in Venice Italy - whom I met in Birmingham in 2004 whilst in the 4ths. To be married on 20th July 2013. (25/2/12)

Joe Russell (2007)

Engaged to Dr Stella Woodward. Will be getting married in October 2013. (11/1/13)

Married Stella Woodward on 26 October 2013 at Worth Abbey in West Sussex. (12/7/14)

Delighted to announce that my wife Stella gave birth to our first child, Anna Beatrice Mary Russell on 7th May 2015. (11/7/15)

Jamie Scott (2007)

In an entertaining tussle in glorious August sunshine, members of the Class of 2007 got together to play some cricket at the Old Ed Memorial Ground, off Streetsbrook Road. Congratulations go to The Birmingham Badshahs for defeating Puffin Party with five wickets in hand; they claimed the victory but the real winner was of course cricket. (22/10/11)

In the second annual Class of 2007 Old Ed cricket match at the Old Edwardian Memorial Ground - held in September - Puffin Party chased down the Birmingham Badshahs 130-8 with one ball and one wicket remaining. Lionel Virdee took Man of the Match for his all-round performance. The series currently stands tied at 1-1.

Midland History will be publishing my article of late-Victorian trade unionism this winter: Labourism Revisited': W. J. Davis, Working-Class Culture and Trade Unionist Politics in Birmingham, 1892-1906, Midland History, 38(1) (2013). It is based on an extended chapter of my M.Phil. dissertation; it was awarded the runner-up prize in Midland History's competition for academics who have not published before. (12/1/13)

Now in its third year, the annual Class of 2007 cricket match saw Inglorious Edgbasterds triumph over the Birmingham Badshahs at the Old Ed Cricket Club in August. Chasing 236-8 the Badshahs were bowled out for an inept 136. Dan Lavender was awarded Man of the Match for a record top score in the series thus far of 83. The Edgbasterds now lead the series 2-1. (11/1/14)

My article was published in March 2013, the citation for which is: J Scott, 'Labourism Revisited': W. J. Davis Working-Class Culture and Trade Unionist Politics in Birmingham 1892-1906, 'Midland History' 38(1) (2013) pp. 80-98. (24/1/14)

The annual Class of 2007 cricket fixture occurred for its fifth straight year this past summer. The Birmingham Badshahs bucked recent trends and toppled Inglorious Edgbasterds, chasing down 153 (all out) to post 154-6 in 27.1 overs. Rory Burnand's 63 not-out merited the Man of the March award, although skipper Faizan Shah did take his first five-wicket haul. The Edgbasterds continue to lead the series 3-2. (7/2/16)

Nirad Vinod Solanki (2007)

Graduated earlier last year with a 1st class honours in Technology and Material engineering. Went into business and set up two travel agencies. My wife, Payal Solanki and I got married on 29 January earlier this year. She is Czech and I met her whilst I was living and studying in Prague for 4 years. We both live in Solihull and are happy together. Being the first Old Ed in my year to get married, I feel very old now... :) (18/3/11)

My wife Payal and I celebrated the birth of our 2nd and 3rd Child on 24th September 2013. We were blessed with non-identical twin daughters who are called Nia and Angelica Solanki and were born 29 minutes apart. (10/1/14)

Charles Harris (2008)

I would like to announce that in May 2015 I got married to Marijana in Skopje, Macedonia. We have bought our first place in Wimbledon and are looking forward to an exciting future together!

Philip Neale (2008)

Have continued to play Warwickshire CCC second XI cricket. (6/9/11)

Mohammed Saqib (2008)

Shaved all my hair off and ran the Bristol 10k for a charity called Childrens Villages and raised £1350. (21/10/11)

James Taft (2008)

I'm currently studying at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, on my year abroad from King's College, London. I have been taking time out throughout the year to film a protagonist's role in an independent film. A team from King's College have written and filmed the feature length production in black and white, based on the works of Menorcan poet Ponç Pons. The film is set in both London and Menorca and filming is due to finish in December. The film is expected to be released for festival viewings. (23/10/11)

Gaurav Vohra (2008)

I graduated this summer from Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge with a 1st in Economics (BA Hons), ranking 7th in the university. I'm currently working for Oliver Wyman (strategy consulting) in London. (30/10/11)

Mark Heath (2009)

I moved to California this week, to continue my work as a strategy consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, focusing on their media and entertainment practice out here on the West Coast. It's been a change of pace (and weather!) from London! (19/9/16)

Tim Kiely (2009)

As of last November, I have finished my Bar Professional Training Course at City Law School, London, and been Called to the Bar by Gray's Inn. While I apply for pupillage, I have a job as a county court advocate for LPC Law Ltd., appearing in various matters on the Midlands circuit including mortgage repossession, landlord and tenant disputes, bankruptcy and personal injury settlement involving infant claimants. At time of writing I am volunteering with the Capital Appeals Project in New Orleans, Louisiana, assisting in the conduct of appeals cases for inmates on Death Row. I will be in the USA until April 12th 2015. After a year of participating in the performance poetry scene of London I have also self-published two short collections, Footprints and Long Walks Between Little Lights, both of which are available for Amazon Kindle. (23/1/15)

Vivek Shah (2009)

I have successfully completed by gold Duke of Edinburgh award and will be going to the palace on the 8th November this year to collect my award. (30/10/11)