In the Spotlight: Paul Collins (2004-11)

This month, Paul Collins (2004-11) is in the spotlight:  

Tell us about what you do now. Has your time at the school influenced your life today? 

I’m currently Head of Talent at Whitbread, which includes looking after our early careers and apprenticeship programmes. I’ve been there nearly 12 years now having joined straight after University, so it’s great to now be able to lead on offering different opportunities for young people leaving school, college or University. 

I think the main influence school has had on my life today is the friendships built during my time there. We have a big group of us that are still close 15 years after leaving school, which is quite rare and something I’m really grateful for. 

Tell us about your time at BMS. Do you have any special memories you would like to share?  

I joined BMS in Year 7 and was there through to Year 13, so my time at BMS was a big part of growing up. I really enjoyed Sixth Form, both from an education perspective, where you had more choice over what you studied and the opportunity to learn new subjects like economics and politics, but also from a community perspective having both year groups together in the Rutherford Building. I think the thing I probably miss the most though is spending every lunchtime playing football on the astro - halcyon days. 

Who was someone from your time at BMS who had an impact on you and why? 

For me it would John White, who was a big part of that Sixth Form community. I was always struck how John could strike the balance of treating us  as students and adults, which I really believe got the best out of everyone. It was great to be able to continue playing 5-a-side with John and other OBMs after leaving BMS. 

What do you do like to do in your spare time? 

At the moment, it is mainly training for the London Marathon in April. I lost my Dad, Ian (who was also an OBM), suddenly last year and am running in memory of him and to raise funds for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. They support Addenbrooke’s Hospital where Dad was treated and I was lucky enough to be offered a charity place to run for them this year. If you’d like to support, my fundraising page is here

What advice would you give to your younger self?

It would be something along the lines of a lot of the things you worry about don’t actually happen, so give things a go and enjoy the moment you’re in. You don’t get the time back! 

Are there any other thoughts you would like to share with the OBM and BMS community?

To the current BMS community, don’t worry about not having everything figured out. Find the things you enjoy, spend time with the people that matter and take the opportunities that present themselves - the rest will take care of itself.