Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > Alumni news > Derek Good (Class of 1986): from TW to NZ

Derek Good (Class of 1986): from TW to NZ

Derek highlights his journey from Tunbridge Wells to New Zealand (via California) and how TWGSB helped him to understand the important things in life.
23 Apr 2021
Written by Lindsey Marden
New Zealand
Alumni news
Derek (left) receiving Telecommunications Users of New Zealand award for Education (2005)
Derek (left) receiving Telecommunications Users of New Zealand award for Education (2005)

I spent seven years at the school and have fond memories of my time there. I clearly remember specific life skills as well as academic skills that I still call on today. I learnt how to interact with other people and how to be personally responsible. I continue my education these days by researching papers, ideas, trends and ways of working. 

Immediately after leaving Sixth Form I spent two years as a missionary for my church in California and went into sales roles on my return. After three sales roles I was promoted to run one of the business units and in 2002 moved to New Zealand to be a General Manager of a training company. I found my passion was in helping people provide a great customer experience. The company was sold 18 months later and I started my own business, training corporate companies on customer service, sales and leadership skills. In 2013 my business partner and I started a video training company with a subscription service like Netflix. It is now used in nine countries (www.learningplanet.tv). We sold the other training business in 2015 to concentrate solely on LearningPlanet.

I had boyhood dreams of being a pilot and even went to the British Airways cadet scheme trials and took flying lessons for a while. It was hard to determine what career I wanted but over time, I recognised my top motivators were: Flexibility and freedom, spending time with my family and acting. I now get to do them all. I have starred in films, TV programs and spoken at conferences and been a conference MC several times. I travel if I want to but work in a custom built office next to my home to provide me the flexibility I crave.

I am married with four children and three grandchildren. My oldest child, Ashleigh was a top fashion model for several years – look her up (Ashleigh Good). Moving to New Zealand has been great for our family and opportunities. I still consider myself British and when I visit home, I try to drive past my old school where I find the memories come flooding back. Life has been good and school prepared me for it not just academically but by teachers who also taught life lessons along the way.

Derek Good
23 April 2021

Books by Derek Good
Acting and presenting profile
 

Most read

Rafi with his winning design

Year 10 TWGSB student, Rafi Valle Martin, wins Royal Mail Heroes Stamp Design competition, from over 606,000 entries nationwide. More...

Not an everyday sight on the sports field

On a glorious April Spring morning our House Captains led the whole Sixth Form in a fabulous fun run raising over £1,500 in aid of YoungMinds, a chari… More...

Our new campus in Seal Hollow Road, Sevenoaks, was formally opened in January 2022, recognising the 'guts and determination' of the initial campaign a… More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech