President
John Parr
Educated in Sheffield I attended King Edward VII School as a result of successfully passing the eleven-plus examination in 1968 leaving in 1975. I retired in 2008 and was elected President of the Old Edwardian Association in 2013 in succession the late John Phillips, a great friend of mine through and after our schooldays. I have been involved with the Old Edwardians since leaving school both as a member of the Association and a regular participant with the Old Edwardians' Cricket XI.
Educated in Sheffield I attended King Edward VII School as a result of successfully passing the eleven-plus examination in 1968 leaving in 1975. I retired in 2008 and was elected President of the Old Edwardian Association in 2013 in succession the late John Phillips, a great friend of mine through and after our schooldays. I have been involved with the Old Edwardians since leaving school both as a member of the Association and a regular participant with the Old Edwardians' Cricket XI.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
" I considered it to be a great honour when I was asked to be President of The Old Edwardians' Association and one, of course, that I was delighted to accept.
As one of the final ‘eleven-plus’ intake of 1968 my time at King Edward VII School bore witness to the steady transition from a traditional ‘grammar’ school education to the comprehensive education offered to the pupils of today. The rights and wrongs of modern education are, we all know, S debated inexorably but nonetheless, King Edward VII School, Sheffield, our School, continues to perform admirably, producing numerous talented individuals as indeed it has always done.
But what of the Old Edwardians' Association and its membership? Firstly it is my intention that the traditional ‘get together’ on Maundy Thursday should continue to be the main function of the year and will remain so through the duration of my Presidency. But a yearly dinner and get together cannot and must not be the only focus for the Association.
I am a firm believer that each and every one of us owes a great deal to the School and to the time and commitment invested in all of us by those who guided us through our period of education, no matter however successful that may have been.
It is my desire to see the Old Edwardians' Association become a much closer supporter of the School in all its aims and ambitions. There is within our ranks, a plethora of talent and skills which I believe should be harnessed to support the staff and pupils as they move forward in what are today, very difficult times.
The world has changed and so too has King Edward VII School and it would be wrong of us to continually look backwards rather than forward. The pupils of today are the Old Edwardians of tomorrow and I sincerely believe that as an Association, we all have an individual obligation to give something back by utilising our skills and talents in support of their education and future aspirations. I do hope you agree.
I look forward seeing you all on future Maundy Thursdays."
John Parr - President
Committee
Martyn Horton
Martyn attended the school from 1970 to 1975 leaving to undertake an apprenticeship in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.
Martyn went on to study Engineering Services at Trent Polytechnic and later on attended Sheffield Business School where he studied for an MBA.
Martyn spent a number of years working in London where he was Managing Director of a large PLC subsidiary before returning to his roots in Sheffield. Martyn is a Chartered Building Services Engineer and now works as a Consultant.
Martyn attended the school from 1970 to 1975 leaving to undertake an apprenticeship in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.
Martyn went on to study Engineering Services at Trent Polytechnic and later on attended Sheffield Business School where he studied for an MBA.
Martyn spent a number of years working in London where he was Managing Director of a large PLC subsidiary before returning to his roots in Sheffield. Martyn is a Chartered Building Services Engineer and now works as a Consultant.
Peter Kersh
One of the final grammar school entry boys in 1967, I had a wonderful time at KES with great memories and great friends. Enthused in languages from an early age, I have subsequently built my career in an international environment and travelled widely and lived and worked in Spain and Italy. I now speak 5 languages, use them very frequently in business, and have always supported the school in practical ways as a language college - a tribute to Michael Lewis and Eva Lamb. I have been involved in international business over 30 years with management and sales/marketing experience across a diverse range of companies - from agriculture to engineering, and construction. Currently Managing Director of World Feeds, a specialist ornamental fish food business in Thorne which is revolutionising the aquarium foods market, and was previously Director of Gripple Ltd, the innovative Sheffield manufacturer.
I have been involved in the OEs for many years, on the sidelines really during John Phillips' presidency, and felt it was now time to take a more active role. Delighted to be involved with John Parr and the rest of the team to take the OEs into a fresh new era with respect for the past!
One of the final grammar school entry boys in 1967, I had a wonderful time at KES with great memories and great friends. Enthused in languages from an early age, I have subsequently built my career in an international environment and travelled widely and lived and worked in Spain and Italy. I now speak 5 languages, use them very frequently in business, and have always supported the school in practical ways as a language college - a tribute to Michael Lewis and Eva Lamb. I have been involved in international business over 30 years with management and sales/marketing experience across a diverse range of companies - from agriculture to engineering, and construction. Currently Managing Director of World Feeds, a specialist ornamental fish food business in Thorne which is revolutionising the aquarium foods market, and was previously Director of Gripple Ltd, the innovative Sheffield manufacturer.
I have been involved in the OEs for many years, on the sidelines really during John Phillips' presidency, and felt it was now time to take a more active role. Delighted to be involved with John Parr and the rest of the team to take the OEs into a fresh new era with respect for the past!
Keith 'Dougie' Shivers
I attended the school between 1967 and 1974, following which I had a spell running a market stall prior to joining Gleeson who I remained with for over 30 years.
In recent years I was Managing Director of Gleeson’s Scottish Business in the 1990s and then became Managing Director of the UK Construction Business and more recently was Group Operations Director responsible for all of the Group’s activities across the UK. The strategic direction of the group changed and I was instrumental in the significant disposal programme which culminated in the Group retaining only a small house building business, as a result of which I resigned from the company in 2010, formed my own consultancy business which I ran for a little over a year before joining VINCI Construction in 2011. I was responsible for the successful schools programme in Sheffield which consisted of rebuilding of 20 secondary schools right across the city, one of which was the extensive refurbishment and extension of King Edward VII School which I am proud to say was a huge success and has transformed the educational environment in which students now enjoy.
I've been involved with the Old Edwardians for more years than I care to remember, currently live in Baslow with my wife, two daughters, two horses, six cows, five cats, one dog and five chickens and I hope to be instrumental in reinvigorating the Old Edwardian Association to provide additional support to the school whilst retaining the traditions that we all value so much.
I attended the school between 1967 and 1974, following which I had a spell running a market stall prior to joining Gleeson who I remained with for over 30 years.
In recent years I was Managing Director of Gleeson’s Scottish Business in the 1990s and then became Managing Director of the UK Construction Business and more recently was Group Operations Director responsible for all of the Group’s activities across the UK. The strategic direction of the group changed and I was instrumental in the significant disposal programme which culminated in the Group retaining only a small house building business, as a result of which I resigned from the company in 2010, formed my own consultancy business which I ran for a little over a year before joining VINCI Construction in 2011. I was responsible for the successful schools programme in Sheffield which consisted of rebuilding of 20 secondary schools right across the city, one of which was the extensive refurbishment and extension of King Edward VII School which I am proud to say was a huge success and has transformed the educational environment in which students now enjoy.
I've been involved with the Old Edwardians for more years than I care to remember, currently live in Baslow with my wife, two daughters, two horses, six cows, five cats, one dog and five chickens and I hope to be instrumental in reinvigorating the Old Edwardian Association to provide additional support to the school whilst retaining the traditions that we all value so much.