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16 May 2024 | |
Written by Karen Faulkner | |
Alumni spotlight |
"My time at Brentwood gave me the confidence to know what I wanted to achieve”
Current Job Title & Employer:
Head of Legal and Company Secretary at Stonebond
OB years:
1996 - 2002
Brief description of your path after Brentwood:
I studied Law at Kings College London and completed my Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in Holborn. I then went travelling around the world for 6 months before embarking on a 2-year Training Contract at a Silver Circle London law firm. I qualified as a property lawyer in 2010 and then started specialising in the development sector. I now work as an in-house for a company who buys land and develops it to provide new residential homes.
How has your career path led you to where you are now?
Property is not just my job but also one of my hobbies! My husband and I (also an Old Brentwood) are currently redeveloping our own house to try and add value to it and my job, as a property lawyer, has really helped with that project!
Did you develop any particular skills or attributes at Brentwood that have helped your career?
My memories of studying at Brentwood are such happy ones. I studied English, French and Latin at A – Level but knew I wanted to study a vocational subject at University. My time at Brentwood gave me the confidence to know what I wanted to achieve and to know that if I worked hard enough (and was personable and had some perspective/fun along the way) I could achieve it.
Favourite Brentwood memory?
Sport! I absolutely loved athletics and was in the netball, hockey and tennis teams. Sport at Brentwood gave me such a helpful outlet to studying.
Any words of advice for those graduating this year?
Get the balance right. Study hard but study smartly so that you also look after your mental well-being alongside. I would also recommend that you do as much work experience as you can in your sector as it shows you are pro-active. I don’t think employers always look for the smartest people but actually he/she who takes ownership of their role and is determined!