Guy Griffin

Have you undertaken any kind of further study since leaving Bedales and have you gained any further qualifications?

I attended the University of Kent and gained a 2:1 in English & American Literature with Creative Writing. During my time in the workplace thus far I have completed various short courses in sales and account management.

What kind of work are you currently involved in, and how and why have you come to be doing it?

I have just taken a job as Head of Partnerships for a maritime security organisation based in Aylesbury and London. The company is dedicated to fighting organised crime in the marine space and my role involves managing our key domestic and international relationships with state intelligence bodies, defence organisations, the private security sector and security personnel in commercial shipping companies. I consulted for this business in London last year on an ad-hoc basis before being offered a position in December. 

Prior to this I worked for a data marketing agency in Welling (near Kent) and London. I met the Chairman of this business whilst running a community media group during my degree, he employed me soon after graduating to work with planning customer data and primary communications for Debenhams, Homebase and twenty other retailers. Two years in I was made Head of Division and worked to grow the business and the team I managed. Between University and the agency role I did an internship in Dallas, Texas for Madison Lacerte's father.

Did attending Bedales help you in getting to where you are now and how satisfied are you with what you are doing?

I am asked this question on a surprisingly regular basis and the answer is always yes. Bedales provided me with confidence and an ability to communicate with those around me. Bedales' commitment to building trust between individuals, whether teachers or students, has been invaluable in helping me to fit in professional environments and manage others effectively. The Bedales environment provided the best possible introduction to university life and independent living, giving me an ability to run my own world with confidence and ensure commitments I make can be honoured and maximised. I am immensely proud of my time at the school.

Have you been involved in any other interesting activities or occupations since leaving school?

I was very lucky to be asked by one of my university lecturers, who is also an author, to accompany her on three separate visits to Iceland as her official photographer which formed the basis of two novels. It was an amazing experience and a privilege to be asked to take photos for her book and accompanying PR materials - I was thrilled to see my work being used by the BBC and other outlets. 

Whilst at university I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to get involved with the UK's first community FM radio project run by a local authority-sanctioned group of students/academic volunteers and part of a media group, involving ten education institutions in the Canterbury area, plus the council and the Mayor. I formed the news provision for the radio station and worked my way up to run the group in my final year at Kent. This was fantastic business experience and was the basis for the invitation to my first 'proper' job after university. Whilst I greatly enjoyed my degree, there wasn't quite enough purely academic work to do, so this massive project was a great filler for me. 

Whilst working at the radio station I broadcasted, which was a great creative outlet and led to an internship with the BBC World Service in London. Between 2008 and late 2013 I also presented the Sunday morning breakfast show for a commercial radio station in Essex with a friend of mine I met at university. Sadly the move to Buckinghamshire means this is no longer possible but there is a plan to assemble investment and buy the station's sister business in Middlesex so I hope to be back on the air soon!