Events

The Ampleforth Society warmly invites its members to join the first in an exciting series of industry insight events.

Our first event, ‘Insights into Entrepreneurship’, will take place at 6:45pm (GMT) on 5th November and will be Chaired by OA James McBrien (O86). The panellists will discuss their career journey from Ampleforth to present day, and debate what the future holds for their industry. James will be joined by six panelists: Sebastian Chambers (E85), Jane and Cassian Roberts (J80), Thomas Chappell (B98), Christopher Gilbey (T99), and James Orrell (J90).

To receive a link to the Microsoft Teams Meeting, please register by clicking here. If you have any questions, please email Dionne.Saville@ampleforth.org.uk

Speakers: 

James McBrien (O86)

James is the founder and Managing Director of Clearwater Advisors Ltd. He has spent a substantial part of his career coaching the C-suite in multinational organisations. One of his key strengths is combining the “hard” science of diagnostic technology with the “soft” art of projecting your natural personality to make people better at winning hearts and minds. Clients include: Allianz, BNP Paribas, BBC, British Airways, ING, EY, Ferrovial, SES, Morgan Stanley, and Visa International. Notable deals include helping with the successful sale of both Edinburgh and Stansted airports, and rolling out pitching workshops for in excess of 200 senior client-facing bankers in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Frankfurt. His first career was as an officer in the Irish Guards where, as well as serving on operations in both Northern Ireland and Bosnia, he also led and planned expeditions to the US, Central America and Nepal. Born in 1968, he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science in 1990. He is married with three children and lives near Sevenoaks. After his family, he endeavours to pursue a wide range of interests, including creating a garden, sailing and acting/voice over. He has run the London Marathon three times, done a Triathlon and in 2015 completed the Engadin Cross Country Ski Marathon.

Sebastian Chambers (E85)

After leaving Ampleforth in 1985, Sebastian taught English in Africa with Project Trust, before going on to read Economics at Manchester. Sebastian later spent five years with PwC and then ran a door factory before joining CIL Management Consultants. Sebastian bought CIL with a business partner and ran it for many years.  Today, he advises and invests in startups, as well more mature businesses.

Jane and Cassian Roberts (J80)

Cassian and Jane Roberts live and manage a small farm in Shelsley Beauchamp.  They have 4 teenage children and a small travel company, taking and sending people on holidays and tours throughout the world for the past 19 years.  Jane was born in 1963 and was the third of three children.  Educated at Westonbirt, she achieved a Legal degree and went on to work in the City and then in publishing. Cassian was born in 1962 and was the sixth of ten children. He was educated at Ampleforth College and later Henley Business Management College, where he achieved an MBA.  Cassian was Commissioned into the Irish Guards, serving in numerous theatres. After retiring in 2000, Cassian and Jane established JC Tours Ltd in 2001.

Thomas Chappell (B98)

After his education at Ampleforth College and later the University of Cambridge, Thomas went on to work for National Wind Power in 2003. After working for them in various roles, he left in 2009 to join an early stage start-up called Whirlwind Renewables, where he has worked since. The company has successfully developed and built-out over 40 megawatts of onshore wind farms (enough to supply around 25 thousand households worth) and are now developing a fleet of large-scale battery energy storage projects. Thomas is married and now lives in Lewes, East Sussex with his wife Kate and three young children.

Christopher Gilbey (T99)

Chris started Bits Bobs and Odd Jobs 10 years ago because he really enjoyed fixing things and saw a niche in the market, from which he created a service that caters for getting the small jobs done with excellent customer service. He now has a team of handpicked handymen which continues to go from strength to strength.

James Orrell (J90)

James started Orrell Consulting 7 years ago and now has an established network of consultants and coaches that helps organisations to identify the internal culture, plans, actions and outcomes that will put them back on the fast-track to success.