Past Head Boy Jack Bing (Class of 2012) visited the TWGSB campus I early October this year whilst on a visit home to the UK from his KPMG office in New Zealand.

Chatting with Jack as we walked round campus he could hardly recognise it with all the improvements over this past decade.

I learned he is currently on secondment to KPMG New Zealand LLP in their Sustainable Value team, consulting across public and private sectors.

As a keen sportsman, it was great that on his visit here we bumped into one of his sports masters Chris Hart who proudly showed him our 3G Sports Centre. They couldn’t help reminiscing how different the facilities were when Jack was here!

Jack remembers his time here fondly ending with his fun if challenging Head Boy year where he also managed to complete 4 A Levels: English, Biology, Geography and General Studies.

After completing an MSc at Exeter uni (International Business Management), Jack began with KPMG’s London Office on their Graduate scheme, starting there in 2017 in Finance Consulting.

In 2021 he took a secondment to the UK ESG Centre of Excellence and from 2022 todate he has been in the company’s Auckland Office, working in the Sustainable Value team, consulting across public and private sectors.

A career highlight Jack mentions is having started with a degree in Geography (and a fear of Maths!) then to complete accounting qualifications, was quite a challenge.

His overseas secondment to New Zealand he describes as fantastic. Having to set up a new life in a new country, it has been fascinating to see that whilst different countries have unique social, economic, and environmental challenges, they also share many similar problems as well as opportunities. ‘You realise we are all in this together.’ He commented.

Going forther back, Jack says some of the lessons from his TWGSB-days that have stayed with him are hard work, discipline and humility always paying off.

‘The breadth of subjects we were able to study helped me to think broadly when approaching problems at work and I was proud that I had peers at TWGSB from all walks of life – in our diverse group. This has definitely helped me to engage authentically with people from across all demographics in my life post-school.’

As a favourite teacher or 2 he included Mr Lawrence / Geography – whom he describes as ‘an engaging and supportive teacher with high standards who I will never forget jumping up and down in the classroom to simulate a tsunami (he was deputy head at the time…)’

‘Mr Gould / English – as well - was an excellent teacher who always spoke to you as a peer. He didn’t shy away from having really interesting and challenging conversations about a range of topics with us. I learnt a lot from him.’

Jack shared that since leaving TWGSB he has crossed paths with a number of former students saying ‘ I’m really proud of the successes of our year group.’

Chatting about his family and interests, Jack mentioned he grew up with his mum in Tunbridge Wells, not far from TWGSB. ‘She always made sure I focussed on school (and homework!). Dad taught me the basics of business and ignited my love for sport, mostly rugby.’

‘I’ve hung up the rugby boots these days as the body couldn’t take it at 30. Nowadays I’m a keen sailor, and love trail running, hiking and surfing – basically anything outdoors and I’m there. New Zealand is amazing for that.’

Jack left us with one last meaningful thought to ponder when he said ‘I was never particularly great at any one subject or skill, and have never known what I wanted to do. However I always kept my options broad and took opportunities as they arrived by just saying ‘yes’. This approach has led me to some amazing places. TWGSB gave me a fantastic education that set me up for university and work. Hard work, humility, and respect always pay off.’