Helen Fraser made her first public appearance as the new CEO for the GDST at the Trust’s annual evening event for GDST Associates, held in the magnificent new venue The Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields, which was chosen to reflect the theme of “Change and Development”.

GDST Associates consist of exceptional and dedicated alumni who offer their time and expertise for the benefit of the Trust and in particular to current students. This evening event brought together over thirty Sixth Formers from across the schools, giving them the opportunity to network with high profile individuals from a Trust education and enjoy thought provoking and inspiring conversation.

Helen Fraser, who hosted the evening, spoke with great enthusiasm for girls’ education and her passion for driving the Trust forward. She then welcomed our special guest speaker, Helen Disney, an Oxford High School alumna and CEO of the Stockholm Network, a pan-European Think Tank which plays a vital role in directly influencing public policy.

Helen Disney captivated her audience of Associates and students alike with her intelligent,  insightful and honest understanding of how change and development had affected and helped her during her GDST education, university and career. She bravely addressed the concerns many women face about work-life balance and won praise from the students who felt they greatly benefitted from her frank and open approach.

The enthusiastic conversation and exchanges of ideas during the drinks reception clearly demonstrated the Sixth Formers’ thirst for knowledge and the benefit that can be gained from drawing upon the rich pool that is the GDST alumni network.  The Associates themselves universally expressed how much they enjoyed the opportunity to meet the students and how in return they felt inspired by their energy and intelligence.  The GDST is proud to have the engagement and support of its former students and the Associates event provided an ideal opportunity for Sixth Formers to benefit directly.

By uniting people who have a GDST education in common we can help diminish barriers, share ideas and successes.