Eleven Questions (Don't Focus on the Money!) - Russell Lowe (OV2000)

1. What is your most lasting memory of your time at BVGS and what are you doing now?
Whilst I have many, my fondest memory would be the German School exchange I took part in. To be sent to live with a foreign family with barely any understanding of what they were saying certainly meant I had to learn to communicate in other ways quickly!
I’m now a Director of a Wealth Management business, dealing primarily with Company Directors and High-Net-Worth Individuals.

2. How did BVGS prepare you for the path you took after leaving?
I think BVGS instilled in me the discipline needed to succeed. Whilst all my friends from the local school were home two hours earlier than me and with half the homework, at the time it seemed unfair but now I realise it actually did me some good.

3. What was your favourite subject at BVGS and how did it impact you?
Economics – We did an exercise where we picked a virtual share portfolio and then bought and sold them as the year went on to try and generate a profit. This was the start of my involvement with the world of shares and markets, something which I continue to be involved in heavily to this day.

4. Which of your teachers at BVGS was most influential for you and why?
Without a doubt, Mr Sadler.  He had the rare ability of being able to make lessons hugely enjoyable whilst still commanding absolute respect from his pupils. I always looked forward to his lessons.

5. Is your life similar or different than the way you imagined it would be when you left BVGS and how?
When I left after A-Levels, I had no idea what I was going to do, just that I wanted to earn as much money as possible. By luck I ended up working in share-dealing in an industry I already had an interest in, and have worked hard ever since to establish my own business.

6. What advice would you give your 18-year old self now?
Don’t focus on the money – focus on what makes you happy.

7. How do you define success and has that changed over time?
Immediately after leaving school, I would have defined success by the amount of money you earnt.  Actually, success to me is about being able to do what you want, when you want and having the ability to enjoy life with your family to the full.

8. What extra-curricular activities did you take part in at BVGS?
In the earlier years, the Rugby team.  However, in the later years ‘extra-curricular’ activities involved all the things I don’t think the school would recommend!

9. Do you still keep in touch with your BVGS contemporaries? 
Yes - most of my best friends are from my time at BVGS – I even have one of them working for me.

10. Which house did you belong to?
Red House

11. Is there something you would do differently if you could go back to your time at BVGS?
I’d definitely have made the most of all of the opportunities available. At the time you don’t realise it, but BVGS offered so much I didn’t take advantage of.