Female Leadership, the Media, and Mrs Freer

Overlooking the ever-changing canalside of King's Cross, Old Waconians joined together in London on 7 March to hear two alumni engaging in a conversation about their careers as writers.

Coinciding with World Book Day, Lucy Ward, Class of 1987, shared the inspiration behind her book - The Empress and the English Doctor: How Catherine the Great defied a deadly virus. Citing former CHS History teacher Mrs Freer as the person who introduced her to Catherine the Great, Lucy shared how a playground chat with a fellow parent years later led her to discover the link between the Russian Empress and a doctor from Essex. Months of in-depth research followed, culminating in the publication of her first book which was shortlisted for the Pushkin House Book Prize 2022.

Jonathan Guthrie, Class of 1982 and former Head of Lex at the FT, shared how his early writing experience, producing CHS's alternative magazine - The Draconian - under the supervision of Mr Westbrook, was a spark for a career in journalism.

Both alumni shared their experiences of working in local and national media outlets, and discussed future books that are in the pipeline for each of them.

Following Q&A with the audience about how the world of media is evolving - subscription services, social media, the rise of commentators vs. journalists - Lucy and Jonathan joined Old Waconians for drinks and nibbles, including groups from their respective leaving classes.

Former OWA President Paul Atherley, Class of 1974, was MC for the evening and encouraged Old Waconians to stay connected with CHS, and inspire the next generation of Waconians.

Check out photos from the event here.

Read an interview with Lucy in The Old Waconian 2022 and with Jonathan in The Old Waconian 2023.