What excites you most about coming into work each day? Seeing the boys and discovering new things together through our lessons. There’s always new learning and the boys get very excited about it – it’s wonderful!

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Sassy – it’s what my niece calls me as she couldn’t pronounce Cathy…it’s sort of stuck with my whole family!

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A chef – I LOVE cooking, but sometimes I just can’t face it and wish I had someone to make all my favourite meals for me.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? My Kindle (with loads of books downloaded) – I read so much and don’t know what I’d do without books!

What animal most reflects your personality? A cat – sassy and aloof at times but loving and friendly/cuddly at other times.

What’s your favourite film and why? Practical Magic – I’ve loved it since it first came out back in 1998. I admire Sandra Bullock, love the sisterly storyline and how they deal with loss, grief, separation and finding yourself. The soundtrack is great as well!

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Every day is a new day – it helps to reflect but then wake up each morning and really treat it like a fresh start.

Mike works with our international schools to develop living partnerships across the family of schools, following experience in high-performance schools both in the UK and overseas. Alongside experience leading in A Level and International Baccalaureate curricula, Mike has enjoyed positions of academic, pastoral and house leadership. His experience overseas includes early planning for a school transitioning into a co-educational environment; more recently in the UK, he was Head of Upper School in the RGS.

Along with a love of working with people and making connections, Mike is at his happiest outdoors. Fortunately, his family share his enthusiasm for the outdoors and even put up with his attempts at various musical instruments.

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Alastair is Managing Director of RGS Guildford International, the team that oversees and sets up RGS Guildford international schools, all of which are co-educational. This includes maintaining quality and managing the relationships with our partners and schools in China, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and  India (opening in 2028), as well as pursuing opportunities for new schools in other markets overseas. Alastair has held senior leadership positions in international partnerships over the last fifteen years in the heritage and higher education sectors, and is a passionate believer in the transformative impact that international experiences and perspectives can have on students and staff.

Having lived and worked in China and Italy, Alastair speaks five languages and brings a truly global outlook to his work. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys cycling, hiking, sea swimming, and exploring the countryside both in the UK and overseas.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Sam is responsible for strategy development and delivery across all parts of the RGS, including RGS Guildford and our wider international family of schools. His focus is on helping the RGS to innovate and embrace the future, whilst ensuring it stays true to its ethos and values. He brings over 25 years of experience of leading complex change, including previous senior positions in both the charity sector and management consultancy.  

Outside of work, Sam is passionate about sport and is mostly to be found on a touchline somewhere, supporting his children whilst trying to remain un-biased. He is also a keen amateur cook, and enjoys walking in the Surrey Hills with his family. 

Becky is the Director of Finance and Operations, with responsibility for finance, HR, IT, health and safety, estates, and governance—where she also serves as Clerk to the Governors. She enjoys the variety and challenge of the role and is committed to making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, so staff can focus on what they do best and students have the best possible experience. 

Before joining the school sector, Becky spent 17 years working in universities in London and the south coast, leading operational teams and overseeing strategic planning. Her most recent role was as Director of Operations at UCL, focussed on their advancement programme. Outside of work, she has a young family, so much of her spare time is spent at clubs and activities, but she loves to travel whenever the opportunity arises. 

When did you join the RGS? 1992 (but I left for a year in ’96 and then thought better of it).

What’s the best thing about the RGS? There’s always a good reason to come to work beyond school breakfast, and it is the people, boys and staff alike.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? If you can make a positive difference, that makes life more worthwhile for everyone.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A violin (obviously).

Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? South East Asia because of the people.

What’s your favourite film and why? Green Card. When Gerald Depardieu plays the piano (you’ll have to watch it).

Do you have any phobias? Getting less keen on heights as I get older.

What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? Anaesthetic. (no – no further details)

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? That’s a long list but large mammal eyeballs would be fairly near the top.

When did you join RGS Prep? June 2015

What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? The short commute! And working with a team that are passionate about what we do.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Learning and improving skills, whilst meeting the daily challenges head on.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Complimentary annual passes to a selection of theme parks.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? The backlog of books I have to read!

What animal most reflects your personality? If we’re allowed to include mythical creatures, a Phoenix.

What’s your favourite film and why? Wall-E – Pixar animation was a big part of my childhood, and Wall-E has one of the most memorable art styles in the library.

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? The classic – Brussel Sprouts!

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

When did you join the RGS? I joined in September 2024.

What’s the best thing about the RGS? I really enjoy working in the pastoral team, they are hard working and empathetic, and have a proactive attitude and commitment to the school experience of every boy. I’m enjoying working with the students, getting to know them on individual levels, and learning how bright, resilient, and fun they are.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? There is always a way / Do it with grace.

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? When I was younger, I wanted to write stories like Beatrix Potter, and used to play pretend to be Beatrix, so maybe that!

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A good duvet.

If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? I would want to be able to teleport so I could easily travel all over the world.

Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? I’ve been lucky to travel to some beautiful places, but the best place I have been so far would be Iceland. I love exploring there, it’s so varied in every way, and getting travel tips from locals is the best way to plan as there are so many hidden treasures.

What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? I write plays and pantomimes.

What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? I love salted caramel, or coffee, or banoffee, or…

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Weetabix. Can’t do it.

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Kim Possible!

When did you join the RGS? September 2022

What’s the best thing about the RGS? The opportunities that come each day, both for students and staff.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Time and tide wait for no man.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? My own Barista!

What luxury would you have on a desert island? Sunglasses

What animal most reflects your personality? Mouse- I love cheese.

If you could choose one superhuman ability what would it be? To heal others.

Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? Cambodia. The people with me on the expedition will be remembered for a lifetime.

What’s your most interesting/unusual hobby? I collect 50p coins.

What’s your favourite film and why? Catch me if you Can. Stars two of my favourite Actors and Director. A true-life story of a young boy and his creativity!

What would your autobiography be entitled? The candle that burns at both ends.

What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Blackcurrant sorbet please.

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

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Bart Simpson- he’s 10 years old, can skateboard and has spiky hair!