You are here: Home » About Stowe » Some of our alumni Some of our Alumni... Stowe has a tradition of producing outstanding achievers in all walks of life, with a breadth of talent at least comparable to any other major independent school. Did you know that all of the following are Old Stoics? Anthony Bolton Legendary Investment Fund Manager with Fidelity International Anthony Bolton has managed the Special Situations Fund for Fidelity International since its launch in 1979 and is widely regarded in the City as the best in the business. Sir Richard Branson Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Entrepreneur and Adventurer Sir Richard started and ran his first business, the magazine “Student”, from a public phone box while still at Stowe. Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, KCB, CBE, ADC Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom Sir James has spent his whole career in the Royal Navy and became one of its youngest admirals in 1999; he was second-in-charge of the RN and retired in 2008. Group Captain the Lord Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO, DFC War Hero and Founder of the Leonard Cheshire Homes As a pilot in the RAF, Leonard Cheshire had an outstanding war record and was awarded the VC in 1944, unusually, for a period of sustained courage and outstanding effort, rather than a single act of valour. After the war he devoted his life to charitable works, founding The Cheshire Foundation Homes for the Sick in 1948. Simon Clegg, CBE Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association After a career in the Army, Simon Clegg joined the BOA in 1989 and became its Chief Executive in 1997. He had an instrumental role in securing the London Olympics for 2012. Howard Goodall Composer and Broadcaster A music Scholar at Stowe, Howard Goodall’s many compositions include the themes to ‘‘Black Adder”, ‘‘Red Dwarf’” and ‘‘The Vicar of Dibley’”. He has presented several television series, including ‘‘Howard Goodall’s Big Bangs” and ‘‘How Music Works”. He was recently appointed Ambassador for the Government’s Music Manifesto. Sir Jack Hayward, OBE Owner and Life President of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Until recently Sir Jack was also Chairman of Wolves FC. He was knighted in 1986 for services to charity. Roger Hodgson Singer, songwriter and Founder Member of Supertramp A talented musician from an early age, Roger Hodgson founded the progressive rock band Supertramp in 1969, just a year after leaving Stowe, and wrote many of its hit songs. Since leaving the band in 1983 he has had a critically acclaimed solo career, based in the USA. Lord Lyell of Markyate Former Attorney General Lord Lyell combined successful careers in Parliament and Law. After 20 years at the Bar he was appointed Solicitor-General from 1987 to 1992 under Margaret Thatcher, and Attorney General under John Major from 1992 to 1997. He was also an MP from 1979 to 2001. Lord Lyell was created a life peer in 2005 and was Chairman of Governors at Stowe School from 2001 to June 2007. George Melly Jazz Singer, Author and Raconteur Still performing when in his 80s, George was a seminal figure in the post-war London jazz scene and was also a respected TV critic and presenter. George Monbiot Environmental Campaigner, Author and Journalist An internationally recognised campaigner for the environment for the last 20 years. In 1995 Nelson Mandela presented him with a United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding environmental achievement. Monbiot is currently visiting professor of planning at Oxford Brookes University and writes a regular column for The Guardian newspaper. Anthony Negus Coach and Conductor of the Welsh National Opera Anthony Negus is an internationally recognised expert on Wagner and guest conductor with orchestras around the world. David Niven Actor With a career spanning 50 years, interrupted only by his army service during the war, David Niven was one of best-loved English film stars. He won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1958 for his performance in “Separate Tables”. The first volume of his memoirs, “The Moon’s A Balloon”, describes his time at Stowe with great fondness. Kate Reardon Journalist, author and current editor of Tatler magazine After Stowe, Kate turned down a position at Exeter, to pursue a career in journalism. Her first job was as a fashion assistant at American Vogue (very Devil Wears Prada) and, by the age of 21, she was the youngest ever Fashion Editor at Tatler. She was a Contributing Editor of Vanity Fair for ten years, has written for The Times and The Daily Mail, founded TopTips.com, held a regular slot on GMTV and has published two books to date. Kate became the Editor of Tatler in 2010 and The Times has named her as one of Britain’s best writers. Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover President of J Sainsbury plc Lord Sainsbury was Chairman of the J Sainsbury supermarket chain until his retirement in 1992 and is credited with leading the company to become the UK's then most successful supermarket chain, as well as overseeing its flotation in 1973. David Shepherd, OBE Wildlife Artist and Conservationist Internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading wildlife artists, David Shepherd founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in 1984 and has raised several millions of pounds for wildlife conservation in Africa. Matthew Vaughn Film Producer and Director Following success as a producer (his credits include ‘‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) Matthew turned to film direction. His recent film ‘‘Layer Cake” starred Daniel Craig, the new James Bond. Michael Ventris Brilliant Linguist who deciphered the Cretan Script, Linear B Discovered by the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans in the early 20th Century, the Linear B tablets from Knossos, Crete, baffled scholars until Michael Ventris deciphered them from 1951-53. Sir Peregrine Worsthorne Journalist, Author and Broadcaster Sir Peregrine spent the largest part of his career with the Telegraph newspaper titles, eventually becoming editor of The Sunday Telegraph from 1986-89. He left the newspaper in 1997, but remains an active contributor to various publications, including his "Kind of Blue" opinion column for the online daily magazine The First Post. Our tradition of outstanding achievers continues today. A glance at the Old Stoic News section in the latest issue of our newsletter, The Column, reveals a snapshot of what the new generation of Old Stoics have achieved over the last few months: Sport – Mark Nelson and Graeme White played for the England Under-19 Cricket team in the World Cup Series Summer 2006 Drama – Henry Cavill, who left in 2001, appeared in the movie ‘Stardust’, directed by another Old Stoic, Matthew Vaughn. More recently he had a leading role in the TV series 'The Tudors' and is the star of the most recent Superman film. Art – Hugo Wilson, who left in 2000, is a successful portrait artist and recently held his first solo show in London Literature – Jesse Childs, who left in 1995, recently had her first book published by Jonathan Cape You might also be interested in... Meet the teachers Get to know our teachers and discover their interests, passions and why they love teaching. Request a prospectus Want to find out more about Stowe? Request your prospectus here. 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