John Everard – Leading Light Award

We were thrilled to welcome back to the school today John Everard OKS (1972) to deliver a lecture to our History and Politics Sixth Formers. It was a real privilege for our pupils to hear John’s expert insight into current events in North Korea, as he has a unique perspective having held the roles of both Ambassador to North Korea and Co-ordinator of the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on sanctions. With events relating to North Korea regularly making today’s headlines, it was a superb opportunity for our pupils to gain a real understanding of the issues and how they impact on the world around us.

It was also a wonderful opportunity for the Headmaster to present John with our “Leading Light Award” in acknowledgement of his remarkable career as a British diplomat which spanned nearly thirty years and four continents and included a number of politically sensitive posts. As the youngest-ever British ambassador when he was appointed to Belarus, John built an embassy from the ground up just a few short years after the fall of the Soviet Union. He also skilfully managed diplomatic relations as the UK ambassador to Uruguay during a period of economic crisis and the country’s election of its first left-wing government.

We were absolutely delighted to have him back to the school so we could present this award to him in person and are very grateful indeed that he was willing to share his time and expertise to inspire and inform our students.