The maternity ward of Guys Hospital, overlooking the City of London, is where it all began. A wealth of opportunity within sight and reach for the children entering this world. Many of those children would depart the ward to the affluent surrounding neighbourhoods to embark on a journey that, although challenging, will have a degree of certainty on its route and end point.
For other children, including myself, we would depart to the deprived neighbourhoods. Opportunity still within sight, but more of a dream than a promise. Life rolled the dice and I landed on the Old Kent Road, the cheapest spot on the monopoly board, where I would spend the first 18 years of my life.
For young people growing up in deprived areas, education is the most important currency available to them. It can buy them opportunities to better their life in the absence of money. However, the sad reality is that too many children leave these areas without the education needed to empower their futures.
For me, education has always been more than the courses and qualifications you gain in school. It is the journey you take to build and apply knowledge and skills throughout life. It will largely determine your opportunities, successes and the impact you have in this world. Even things seemingly unrelated like your hobbies, circle of friends and life partner will be determined to some degree by your education.
In other words, it has a knock-on effect to many things in your life. This is why the most successful people view learning as something which never stops!
Doing well in school and my love of learning and applying new skills has given me amazing opportunities. It has provided me with the tools and creativity needed to overcome challenges I’ve faced at each stage of my life. From leaving home at the age of 18 to study at a top University, to having an enjoyable and well-paid career. From growing up in the bottom 10% to joining the top 10% of earners in the UK. It has helped a ‘typical’ boy from a South London housing estate to become a respected senior leader in an organisation.
But, most importantly, my education journey continues to help me become a better best version of myself everyday and be happy.