After his education at the RGS, Rodney completed his degree in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, and for over 60 years has worked as one of the UKs most prestigious engineers, focussing on the development of clean energy systems. As Director of Engineering & Technology at global energy firm Air Products inc. he was awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2004. He then moved into research and with former USA VP Al Gore, was part of the IPCC team awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, and the Global Energy Prize in 2012. He invented the CO2 free power system called the ‘Allam Cycle’ that MIT Technology Review listed as being one of the top ten breakthrough technologies (2018).

When did you join the RGS? 2014

What’s the best thing about the RGS? The people and the sense of fun while searching for knowledge.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? The daily challenge and the community. My secondary schooling was done in Europe and the range of choice here is exciting; each day is full of options.

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? I like my name and its meaning. It comes from the Arabic word ‘nur’ which means light, luminous.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A surfboard. You can have fun and fish.

What animal most reflects your personality? Tigress. They are elegant, love the water and colourful.

What’s your favourite film and why? Secretariat: it is a true story; however, it is more than just a story about a horse. It has a powerful message to trust yourself, do your best and success will be yours.

Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Penelope Cruz, with green contact lenses.

If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be? Merida of DunBroch from Brave. She doesn’t fit her stereotypical role. She is fearless, headstrong and courageous.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? “El que lee mucho y anda mucho, ve mucho y sabe mucho” (The one who reads and walks a lot, sees and knows a lot), so keep reading and moving.

When did you join the RGS? 2013

What’s the best thing about the RGS? Working with super-talented colleagues and students all day, every day!

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Knowing that each day at the RGS will probably turn out to be an even better day than anticipated.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Speaking all the languages in the world.

What animal most reflects your personality? An alebrije.

What’s your favourite film and why? Babel by Alejandro González Iñárritu. With its clear biblical reference to the famous Tower, this film deals with the themes of communication, tolerance and diversity in our modern world. The international cast is also first-class!

Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Kim Rossi Stuart.

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Lumière from Beauty and the Beast.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. (Oscar Wilde)

When did you join RGS Prep? 2004

What’s the best thing about the RGS Prep? It’s wonderfully supportive community, with inspirational staff and boys who are hungry to learn.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? I love teaching and every day is never the same!

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Cake every day.

What’s your favourite film and why? Star Wars- I’ve seen it hundreds of times and it is still great.

What would your autobiography be entitled? The king of lost property.

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I’m not a fan of gherkins.

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Paddington Bear because of my love of marmalade.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Que sera- whatever will be, will be.

What’s the best thing about the RGS? The students and their genuine desire to learn. After 12 years, I still can’t believe that they thank me at the end of a lesson (and genuinely mean it!)

What excites you most about coming into work each day? I’m very lucky that I often get to observe different lessons and subjects as part of my role. I feel so fortunate to work alongside such talented colleagues- the students don’t know how lucky they are! I always leave their classrooms feeling inspired and energised.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A personal shopper to sort out everyone’s perfect birthday and Christmas presents (and cards) on time. I always intend, and fail, to send presents and cards on time.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A sun lounger and a great book.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? la vita è bella- most of the time I’m an optimist!

Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Jenna Coleman- to make my life seem just a little bit more glamorous than it is

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I don’t understand savoury ice cream. I once went to a trendy restaurant which served mushroom ice cream with a kiwi-based desert. I won’t be making that mistake again.

When did you join the RGS? 2016 and a year at the RGS in 2011

What’s the best thing about the RGS? The sense of community among the staff body, the students and the local area.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? The range of incredible opportunities for every boy that walks through these doors.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Free coffee at Krema.

What animal most reflects your personality? Labrador.

What’s your favourite film and why? Invictus. What is not to love?: Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, rugby and an inspiring story based on true events.

Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Tom Hardy.

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Asparagus.

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Bluey’s Dad.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Hakuna Matata.

What year did you join the RGS? 2020

What’s the best thing about the RGS?  Being intellectually challenged every day by the boys who are sure to ask those difficult questions that will deal with niche issues.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? The positive atmosphere and relationships with staff and students.

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Michael.  This was going to be my name, but then my cousin got in there first.  Also, I loved Back to the Future as a kid, so it was only natural that I would want to be like Michael J Fox’s character.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Not getting the shakes with too much coffee so that I could drink as much as want all day – decaf just isn’t the same.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? Spotify hooked up to a decent amp.

What animal most reflects your personality? Orangutan – I can’t think of any good reason why, it is more that I love them so would want to be associated with them.

What’s your favourite film and why? Drive – it has to be down to the soundtrack – one of the best ever at creating an atmosphere and spawning the brief popularity of synth-wave.

When did you join the RGS? Michaelmas 2021

What’s the best thing about the RGS? The people!

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Working with my team and meeting colleagues.

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? I have become rather fond of my name after all these years, although I would still change my surname…for the right person. Or at least double-barrel it.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? Can I include two luxuries? All the music and all the books in the world. Minus the ones with those pastel covers and commercial dance music.

What animal most reflects your personality? I don’t know enough about the animal kingdom to answer this although I am rather fond of a cat’s lifestyle: all that napping, exploring and independence.

What’s your favourite film and why? Hands down The Big Lebowski. It is a microcosm of life in all its beautiful tragi-comic absurdity and it has some of the best lines ever written.

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? I am not a fussy eater, at all. Unfortunately for me…

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? I don’t think you can really top “Live and let die”.

What year did you join RGS Prep? 2018

What’s the best thing about RGS Prep?  The sense of community and love for learning.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Seeing Mr Saville’s smiling face.

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Tiger, as then it would reflect my golf swing.

What’s your favourite film and why? The Last Dance, Michael Jordan documentary. An amazing insight to see what it takes to be the greatest of all time.

Which actor/actress would you get to play you in a film of your life? Damian Lewis. Potential lookalike.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Teamwork makes the dream work.