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Forthcoming Events in 2010

Ed Richard Talk

Date:
Friday 26 February 2010

Time:
1930 : Drinks reception
2000 : Lecture
2100 : Close (approx.)

Location:
David Bawtree Building, The Portsmouth Grammar School

Ed Richards (PGS 1974-84) - Chief Executive Officer, Ofcom

Those OPs who were at the School in the late 70s and early 80s will have no difficulty in recalling that Ed was at the forefront of much of our school life. An outstanding sportsman - County and 1st XV Rugby (that wonderful 1982-3 seven-a-side team captained by Mike Wedderburn and drawn from Ed Richards, Justin Allen, James Brotherton, Duncan Moass, Neville Cobb, James Sparshatt and Roger Black is deeply etched in PGS sporting history!) and 1st XI Cricket - Chairman of the Sixth Form Council, a highly effective Prefect (new Headmaster Tony Evans's first prefect appointment), a ferocious debater in school debating competition and the founder and bass guitarist of the School Rock Band!

Since October 2006 Ed has been Chief Executive of Ofcom, the company formed as a result of the Communications Act of 2002 to regulate the UK communications industries, whether radio, television or electric communication. It is our watchdog to ensure the highest quality of media services and attracts huge public attention when it has to take action in the case of offensive, harmful or unfair material being broadcast. In a varied and high-profile career Ed has been adviser to two prime ministers, as a consultant to Gordon Brown with London Economics Ltd and as Senior Policy Adviser to Tony Blair for media, telecoms, the internet and e-govt. Ed has worked on programmes for Channel 4 and been Controller of Corporate Strategy at the BBC. He is also currently a Director of the Teaching Awards Trust and a member of the Policy Committee of the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics where he had an outstanding academic career after leaving PGS in 1984.

In the light of the huge success of the first two OP Guest Presentations with Jock Clear thrilling a packed David Russell Theatre giving his account of life at the very top of Formula 1 Racing and Colin Scott transporting us to the highest peaks of the Himalayas and recounting the dangers and dramas of leading the Joint Services Expedition on the conquest of Makalu via the SE Ridge, the Committee is delighted that we now have the opportunity of hearing an account of life at the very centre of our political, economic, communications world. As all can imagine, for months ahead Ed's diary looks quite terrifying and we are highly privileged that he has been prepared to return to Portsmouth to devote an evening to the Club and the School, in conjunction with the Headmaster, decided to make such presentations a regular feature of the social life of the Club and the School. We were absolutely delighted therefore that Colin Scott, immediately on his return from the Himalayas, agreed to make the second such presentation and we are privileged that he has found the time to do so.

As on previous occasions, the evening will begin with a complimentary Drinks Reception in the foyer of the David Bawtree Building before moving into the David Russell Theatre for the Presentation at 8.00 p.m. The gathering will be open to the whole school community of staff, OPs, pupils and parents and we anticipate huge interest.

Reservation is essential for the evening and all are asked therefore to contact Gareth Perry (according to the three options below in order of preference) with the number (friends most welcome) in his/her party by Monday 22 February at the latest.

1) e-mail gareth.perry1@ntlworld.com
2) write to Gareth at 34 Marine Court, Southsea, PO4 9QU or
3) telephone Gareth on 023 9273 4606