Best Old Edwardians Kes Podcasts (2025)

1
S2 Ep23: Professor Oliver Johnson & Rik Ubhi 35:46

Play Pause

2+ y ago35:46

35:46

Professor Oliver Johnson (1992) and Rik Ubhi (2004) join Ben to talk about working together on Oliver's new book Numbercrunch: A Mathematician's Toolkit for Making Sense of Your World. Rik is the Editorial Director of Heligo (an imprint of Bonnier Books) and when Oliver's proposal came to him, he didn't know about the Old Eds link. A conversation a…

1
S2 Ep22: Charlotte Gallant: Archiving the school's history for future generations 36:34

3y ago36:34

36:34

This episode of Ed Talks is slightly different, as we're not talking to an Old Edwardian - but instead, someone who knows Old Edwardians rather well, both present and past. Charlotte Gallant is the Foundation Archivist, and her role is to preserve and curate the archives of all of the King Edward VI Foundation schools. In this conversation, Charlot…

1
S2 Ep21: Professor Howard Williamson: A career studying young people and issues affecting youth 49:48

3+ y ago49:48

49:48

Howard Williamson (1972) is currently a Professor at The University of South Wales and has spent his career researching and teaching on the subject of young people and issues that affect them, from working as a lecturer to a government advisor in countries all over the world. Howard never had a plan for his career - opportunities have just presente…

1
S2 Ep20: Nick Varley: Creating the stories behind international sporting bids 40:49

3+ y ago40:49

40:49

Nick Varley (1986) is the founder of LookUp Communications and former CEO and founding partner of the content agency Seven46. Seven46 were known as the "bid specialists" because of their work helping countries to bid for major sporting events, and in this conversation Nick talks about his experience working with the London 2012 team to help them sh…

1
S2 Ep19: Neil Moxley: Reporting on the world's biggest sporting events 41:50

3+ y ago41:50

41:50

Neil Moxley (1987) is the Chief Sports Reporter at The Sunday People and has previously worked for the Daily Mirror and the Daily Star, covering sports events across the globe. In this conversation Neil talks about the play review he wrote at KES that sparked his passion for writing, and how his upbringing set him up to be able to feel confident in…

1
S2 Ep18: Jules Parke-Robinson: Blazing a trail by joining the military 50:34

3+ y ago50:34

50:34

Jules Parke-Robinson (1993) left KEHS and went on to Aberystwyth University, but from a young age knew she wanted to join the military. After completing her Masters Degree, she went to Sandhurst to train as an Officer and subsequently joined the Royal Military Police. Jules stayed with the Military Police for 21 years, where she became Commanding O…

1
S2 Ep17: Nisha Pillai: A career as an investigative journalist and rolling BBC News anchor 42:24

3+ y ago42:24

42:24

Nisha Pillai (1979) is a former BBC News presenter with over 20 years experience, including being a rolling news anchor for BBC World News as well as an investigative journalist for Panorama and The Money Programme. However, this wasn't the path that she set out on after leaving KEHS as a degree from LSE led to a short career within merchant bankin…

1
S2 Ep16: Anya Duxbury: A passion for Anthropology, the study of what makes us human 37:43

3+ y ago37:43

37:43

Anya Duxbury (2019) is a recent KEHS leaver and is currently in the United States studying Business at Alma College in Michigan for a year - however, her passion is anthropology, which is the degree she's taking a short break from before she returns to Queen's Belfast to complete it next year. In this conversation Anya talks about the subject of an…

1
S2 Ep15: Dr. Sarb Clare & Dr. Chris Duncan: Working on the NHS frontlines whilst writing a medical textbook 40:09

3+ y ago40:09

40:09

Dr. Chris Duncan (2009) and Dr. Sarb Clare have accomplished something extraordinary together: whilst both working on the NHS frontline of the COVID pandemic they have also written a medical textbook, published with Cambridge University Press, which could revolutionise patient care in the future. The book is called Ultrasound for the Generalist whi…

1
S2 Ep14: Melanie Etti: Following your passions around the world 41:04

3+ y ago41:04

41:04

Melanie Etti (2007) is a Fulbright Scholar completing a Master of Public Health degree at Harvard University. She spent much of 2020 working as a researcher in Uganda and will be continuing work within the field of global health during her year of postgraduate study. In this conversation she talks about how following her passions has been the drivi…

1
S2 Ep13: Beth Heaven: Working for the world's most recognisable brand 44:16

3+ y ago44:16

44:16

Beth Heaven (2008) is Partnerships and Digital Senior Manager working at The Walt Disney Company's head office in London - and yes, characters do occasionally pop in to say hello! She is currently working in the products part of the business, working with partners such as Lego and H&M who use the Disney IP as part of their own product lines, but sh…

1
S2 Ep12: Duncan Grierson: Investing in the environment 40:00

4y ago40:00

40:00

Duncan Grierson (1987) is an entrepreneur with a track record of building cleantech companies, and in this conversation he talks about his most recent venture, Clim8. Clim8 is a digital investment platform which empowers anyone to invest in green companies. Clean energy, smart mobility, clean technology, clean water, sustainable food and the circul…

1
S2 Ep11: Ian Metcalfe: The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 46:59

4y ago46:59

46:59

Ian Metcalfe (1976) is the Chair of Commonwealth Games England and in this conversation talks about what an international event like next year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham does for a city like ours. Ian is a proud Brummie, and came back to the city straight after university. He is a solicitor by training and had a hugely successful career wit…

1
S2 Ep10: Professor Marian Knight: Leading maternal and child research 47:50

4y ago47:50

47:50

Professor Marian Knight (1986) is a maternal and child health researcher and public health physician and was recently elected a Fellow of the Academy for Medical Sciences. She leads @mbrrace and @NPEU-UKOSS and has spoken widely about Covid and pregnancy as well as ethnic disparities in maternity care. In this conversation, she talks about these is…

1
S2 Ep9: His Honour Nicholas Cooke QC: How the UK's judicial system has changed 41:12

4y ago41:12

41:12

His Honour Nicholas Cooke QC (1973) is a former Senior Circuit Judge at the Central Criminal Court, often referred to as "The Old Bailey". Despite retiring as a judge a few years ago, he is keeping incredibly busy - he was recently made an Honorary Fellow at Aberystwyth University, he's doing a Research Degree at Oxford, he's on the Development Boa…

1
S2 Ep8: James Forrest: The full-time adventurer who leaped out of his comfort zone 44:40

4y ago44:40

44:40

James Forrest (2002) was given the nickname The Mountain Man by The Sunday Telegraph, and for very good reason - he has recently broken the speed record for climbing the three British peaks unsupported, he's climbed every single mountain in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in the fastest known time, and his book Mountain Man documents the first…

1
S2 Ep7: Tom Johnson: Writing crosswords for The Financial Times, The Guardian & The Daily Telegraph 50:23

4y ago50:23

50:23

Tom Johnson left school in 1965 and spent his career as a teacher. However, he always had a passion for crosswords and decided to take the leap and work as a freelance crossword compiler and editor, something the still does and loves to this day! Tom has compiled and edited crosswords for The Financial Times, The New Statesman, The Daily Telegraph …

1
S2 Ep6: Jean Moule: The student becomes the teacher 38:24

4y ago38:24

38:24

Jean Moule (1973) is an incredibly well-known character in the hallways of KEHS... She grew up in Sandwell and attended the school as a pupil in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later returned to the school as a young teacher after going to Durham University for her undergraduate degree and Newcastle University for her PGCE. KEHS was her second …

1
S2 Ep5: The Student Callers: Giving up their time to benefit future generations 39:37

4+ y ago39:37

39:37

In this episode of Ed Talks we take a break from the norm as instead of talking to an Old Edwardian, Ben talks to four current students - two boys from KES and two girls from KEHS. Vedika, Jimmy, Alicia and Louis are all in their final year at King Edward's and are all Student Callers raising money for the Assisted Places Fund in their summer holid…

1
S2 Ep4: Lindsey Davis: How a passion for writing became a full-time career 34:34

4+ y ago34:34

34:34

Lindsey Davis left KEHS in 1967 and went to study at Oxford University. She had written stories since she was young, but never thought that writing could be a full-time career. Instead, she left Oxford and went in to a career with the Civil Service. However, she became frustrated with her job when she felt as if people were being promoted into role…

1
S2 Ep3: Robert Whalley: Rising to the top of the Civil Service 54:29

4+ y ago54:29

54:29

Robert Whalley left school in 1965 and went on to study History at the University of Cambridge. He didn't necessarily know what he wanted to do as a career during his time in education, but upon leaving university he applied to be in the Civil Service and was posted to the Home Office, where he enjoyed an incredibly long and successful career. Robe…

1
S2 Ep2: Lexi Willetts: From corporate law to a technology start up 40:53

4+ y ago40:53

40:53

Lexi Willetts left KEHS in 1999, starting her career as an intellectual property lawyer. Working as Head of IP for Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), during her tenure FIFA revolutionised their commercial programme by announcing two World Cup host countries at the same time. Some five years later and after completing a master…

1
S2 Ep1: The Sehdev Sisters: Following your passion whilst positively impacting society 1:08:18

4+ y ago1:08:18

1:08:18

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to four sisters who all went to KEHS - Gayatri Sehdev (2001), Sara Sehdev (2005), Jyoti Sehdev (2011) and Aarti Sehdev (2011). Gayatri has an endless joy for learning and a desire to improve herself and the world around her. After studying Law at Cambridge, she went on to live in …

1
S1 Ep10: Grace Gwynne: Working as a barrister during COVID 19 36:53

4+ y ago36:53

36:53

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Grace Gwynne (2013), Third Six Pupil at No5 Barristers' Chambers in Birmingham. Grace talks about her route to becoming a barrister, and how it wasn't always an easy journey - she faced a number of setbacks in her career journey and talks about how important persistence is when…

1
S1 Ep9: Professor Emma Rees: Gender and identity within modern society 44:02

4+ y ago44:02

44:02

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Professor Emma Rees (1987), Director of the Institute of Gender Studies at Chester University. Emma discusses a number of topics, from the work she does at the university around gender and identity to her published work. She talks about what it's been like to lecture through CO…

1
S1 Ep8: Sumit Dheir: Dispelling the myths around investment banking 37:50

4+ y ago37:50

37:50

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Sumit Dheir (2006), who since leaving university has worked in finance, first for an investment bank and now for a private equity firm. Sumit talks about how his A Level Economics classes with Mr Mason inspired him to want to work within the field of finance, and how working wi…

1
S1 Ep7: Richard Wolffe: Reporting on decades of US politics 52:50

4+ y ago52:50

52:50

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Richard Wolffe (1987), the US columnist for The Guardian. Richard lives in New York and has been reporting on US politics for decades, including being one of only three journalists who followed Barack Obama's entire presidential campaign from start to finish as a writer for New…

1
S1 Ep6: Lee & Andrew Child: The best-selling author who's handing over his legacy 53:40

5y ago53:40

53:40

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to the authors Lee Child (1973) and Andrew Child. Jim Grant (who writes under the Lee Child name) has achieved worldwide fame through his Jack Reacher series of novels, and is now handing the franchise over to his younger brother Andrew. The Sentinel was published at the end of la…

1
Responses to COVID: Panel Discussion with Alexa Joyce, Malcolm Warr OBE, & Dr Hermine Graham 48:34

5y ago48:34

48:34

In this episode of Ed Talks, Ben Anderson (2006) chairs a panel discussion with three Old Edwardians - Alexa Joyce (Education & Skills Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Microsoft Corporation), Malcolm Warr OBE (Chair of CNI Scotland) and Dr. Hermine Graham (Clinical Psychologist and Board Member of the UK Advisory Board for Safer Gambling).…

1
S1 Ep5: Hannah Proops: The impact of the arts in the development and mental health of young people 34:33

5y ago34:33

34:33

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Hannah Proops (1997), an Old Ed who is now the Director of Drama at KEHS. Hannah talks about the reasons why she campaigned to get drama taught in every year group when she took over the role of Director of Drama, and how the subject has now grown to over 70 students studying G…

1
S1 Ep4: Elliot and Zander Weaver: How they produced, filmed and directed their first feature film 42:40

5y ago42:40

42:40

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Elliot Weaver (2006) and his brother Zander Weaver (2009) who have both been working in the film industry since leaving KES. Recently they have directed their first feature length film, Cosmos, which is available to stream now. They talk about what goes in to creating a film bu…

1
S1 Ep3: Dr. Seb Heaven: Working on the frontlines of the COVID 19 pandemic in Canada 36:18

5y ago36:18

36:18

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Seb Heaven (2006) about his career as a doctor in Canada, and his experiences of being on the frontline during the COVID 19 pandemic. This podcast is produced by Ben Anderson for Sound Rebel. Talk to us about producing a podcast for your business - please email [email protected]…

1
S1 Ep2: Dame Louise Makin: Being the CEO of a FTSE 250 company & the effects of redundancy 32:47

5y ago32:47

32:47

In this episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to Dame Louise Makin (1978) about her career journey and her time as CEO of BTG PLC, a FTSE 250 specialist healthcare company which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2019. She also talks passionately about the environment, she discusses what the effect of being made redundant h…

1
S1 Ep1: Natalie Haynes: Combining your passions when carving out a career 34:13

5y ago34:13

34:13

In the first episode of Ed Talks, Old Edwardian Ben Anderson (2006) talks to the author, broadcaster, comedian and classicist, Natalie Haynes (1993). Natalie currently hosts a show on BBC Radio 4 called Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics and has been nominated for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020 with her novel A Thousand Ships. This podca…

Old Edwardians Kes Podcasts

1
Ed Talks

Old Edwardians (KES & KEHS)

1
S2 Ep23: Professor Oliver Johnson & Rik Ubhi 35:46

1
S2 Ep22: Charlotte Gallant: Archiving the school's history for future generations 36:34

1
S2 Ep21: Professor Howard Williamson: A career studying young people and issues affecting youth 49:48

1
S2 Ep20: Nick Varley: Creating the stories behind international sporting bids 40:49

1
S2 Ep19: Neil Moxley: Reporting on the world's biggest sporting events 41:50

1
S2 Ep18: Jules Parke-Robinson: Blazing a trail by joining the military 50:34

1
S2 Ep17: Nisha Pillai: A career as an investigative journalist and rolling BBC News anchor 42:24

1
S2 Ep16: Anya Duxbury: A passion for Anthropology, the study of what makes us human 37:43

1
S2 Ep15: Dr. Sarb Clare & Dr. Chris Duncan: Working on the NHS frontlines whilst writing a medical textbook 40:09

1
S2 Ep14: Melanie Etti: Following your passions around the world 41:04

1
S2 Ep13: Beth Heaven: Working for the world's most recognisable brand 44:16

1
S2 Ep12: Duncan Grierson: Investing in the environment 40:00

1
S2 Ep11: Ian Metcalfe: The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 46:59

1
S2 Ep10: Professor Marian Knight: Leading maternal and child research 47:50

1
S2 Ep9: His Honour Nicholas Cooke QC: How the UK's judicial system has changed 41:12

1
S2 Ep8: James Forrest: The full-time adventurer who leaped out of his comfort zone 44:40

1
S2 Ep7: Tom Johnson: Writing crosswords for The Financial Times, The Guardian & The Daily Telegraph 50:23

1
S2 Ep6: Jean Moule: The student becomes the teacher 38:24

1
S2 Ep5: The Student Callers: Giving up their time to benefit future generations 39:37

1
S2 Ep4: Lindsey Davis: How a passion for writing became a full-time career 34:34

1
S2 Ep3: Robert Whalley: Rising to the top of the Civil Service 54:29

1
S2 Ep2: Lexi Willetts: From corporate law to a technology start up 40:53

1
S2 Ep1: The Sehdev Sisters: Following your passion whilst positively impacting society 1:08:18

1
S1 Ep10: Grace Gwynne: Working as a barrister during COVID 19 36:53

1
S1 Ep9: Professor Emma Rees: Gender and identity within modern society 44:02

1
S1 Ep8: Sumit Dheir: Dispelling the myths around investment banking 37:50

1
S1 Ep7: Richard Wolffe: Reporting on decades of US politics 52:50

1
S1 Ep6: Lee & Andrew Child: The best-selling author who's handing over his legacy 53:40

1
Responses to COVID: Panel Discussion with Alexa Joyce, Malcolm Warr OBE, & Dr Hermine Graham 48:34

1
S1 Ep5: Hannah Proops: The impact of the arts in the development and mental health of young people 34:33

1
S1 Ep4: Elliot and Zander Weaver: How they produced, filmed and directed their first feature film 42:40

1
S1 Ep3: Dr. Seb Heaven: Working on the frontlines of the COVID 19 pandemic in Canada 36:18

1
S1 Ep2: Dame Louise Makin: Being the CEO of a FTSE 250 company & the effects of redundancy 32:47

1
S1 Ep1: Natalie Haynes: Combining your passions when carving out a career 34:13