Group Directors Testimonials

Ryan Cooper, Business Analyst, Boots

Returning to the Oxford Summer school as a Group director was an amazing opportunity and one that I wanted to take as I had learned so much during my time at the summer school as a delegate. The idea of being able to lead a group throughout the week and help others along the journey of self discovery was one I couldn’t resist . The role of Group director has also help me to develop my leadership style and to see more of what I could do and a chance to evaluate how I lead a team something I use every day back at work and one I can see my team respond to , the role of group director and the challenges and experiences it offers was also a chance for me to work on my own development in a challenging but rewarding week at Keble. I wanted to be on the Summer School committee as a step to help shape the work programme and develop how the week changes and add my own thoughts and experiences into the week, the role is more involved across the whole year and allows me to work across all the various stakeholders in the summer school and gives me a real sense of achievement when I see those thought and ideas applied across the week and deliver more for the delegates than they ever expected.  Following on from being a Group Director, I became Vice Chairman of the Summer School in 2011 and am proud to be Vice Chairman of the Academy for 2012.

Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager, The Mall Luton

I was delighted when asked by the Oxford Summer School Commitee to return as a GD in 2011 and have not looked back since. Each year I am inspired by the school, by Keble College and everyone around me, from the delegates to my fellow GD's, the committee and speakers.
I get so much out of the school, aiding both my personal and professional development in a way that no other training experience has even come close to and after the school, return to work with a renewed enthusiasm and fresh eyes. It has been extremely challenging, but also one of the most exciting weeks of my year.

Craig McKelvie, Menswear Sales Manager, Harvey Nichols

Being a group director at OSS is as rewarding and challenging as attending as a delegate. You’re tested every single moment from breakfast through to the evening seminar. You develop and hone your listening, coaching and facilitation skills, building the delegates confidence as individuals, as a team and also your own. Group directors are normally at a senior level within retail but throughout the week you’re forced to question your everyday performance in the workplace “Am I doing enough for my own team back at work? What else can I do to help my team perform stronger as a unit?” It’s hard to quantify the tangible ROI of OSS but what the unique benefit of the programme is its ability to allow each attendee, whether a delegate or a group director, to realise their own potential.

Brooke Pattison, Area Manager, Matalan

For me the role of GD at the Oxford Summer School is an absolute priviledge, not only can you help facilitate, coach, support and guide a team of delegates, but personally it is the most rewarding things that I have ever done in a personal and professional capacity.
I am fortunate enough, that my business supports me each year to continue my role as a GD, but I believe that this is because they see the benefits for them back in my work place. It re-motivates me and every year I learn something new, whether that be from the fantastic guest speakers or from my delegates. Each year I set myself a different objective and I always achieve it with more on top.

Neil Phillips, Deputy General Manager, Marks & Spencer

I was inspired and hooked when I attended the Summer School as a delegate. The work programme was fast paced and the location of Keble College just added to a truly memorable week. I worked hard at engaging and promoting the merits of being a GD to M&S and was delighted to return the following year as a GD. I returned a number of times, always giving my very best and I was rewarded by being invited to join the Committee. Being part of this instrumental team I have enjoyed shaping the Summer School into what it is today. I have felt very proud to be a part of the Summer School Committee and incredibly excited to be the Chairman of the new Foundation programme which will see the creation of a new era in the Summer School history.