James Webster
James Webster – OG 2007
James tells us about his varied career path after leaving St George’s and what he loved best about school.
Whilst at school I wanted to be a professional golfer like my brother, or a corporate lawyer and then into music artist management – all of which I pursued at some point. Having not been to university I have three and a half years of real estate experience under my belt. I have worked at John D Wood, Curchods and Knight Frank and dealt with some of Surrey’s most exclusive addresses. This was a great experience and was able to buy my first house at 21 as a result of hard work. I am now in event management organising exhibitions, conferences and seminars with my father at the Webster Partnership. Invaluable experience and I love the job, completely different and very satisfying. I get to network everytime and I have recently taken over the Foxhills Business & Lifestyle Networking Club.
I have been in events for about 6 months now so constant learning and development is always challenging but also the most enjoyable part at the same time. The build up and the day of any exhibition is always slightly stressful as we have over 70 exhibitors to look after, make sure the seminars run on time and fingers crossed the visitors turn up, which so far has always been a success. Our most recent show in October was Woking Means Business which attracted 75 exhibitors, over 700 visitors and was a great success with over 50% of the stands reserved for 2010 just one week after the show.
I have to say I loved my time at St Georges. I was there when the pre prep first opened at the age of 6 and spent a decade with the school! I loved the sport and music, keen on hockey and rugby and lucky enough to enjoy the one month tour of Malaysia & Australia with the hockey team at the age of 15 as England Hockey School National Champions – a great experience I will never forget. I would probably say Geography with Miss Stephanie Marlow was my favourite lesson.
After 10 years at the School I have made many friends. I keep in contact with most, if not all of them, on some level even today. The beauty of tools like Reunite and Facebook allows you to keep in touch with all your school friends, I made fantastic friends that I see every week even now like James Smith, Michael Chester, Sarah Gallop, Sophie Crabb and many many more (sorry if I didn’t mention you but you have a limit on here!)
What three objects would you take with you to a desert island?
Blackberry, iPod, Absolute citrus vodka.
What interests do you have?
Going out with my friends – few drinks but love going out for dinner – trying all new foods from Chinese, Indian, to Lebanese and Spanish Tapas. I still play golf, keep fit at the gym at Foxhills and travelling the world when I can get time off work!
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Australia was amazing but probably would have to say Kenya – the safari was a great experience. I saw absolutely everything you could have asked for, lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, their cubs and even a monkey who stole my friend’s hat and crisps whilst in our room – never got it back!!
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