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OR Committee
Aims of the Committee
The OR Committee consists of representatives from across the alumni community representing differing age groups, genders and interests. The ORs are very much an integral part of the wider Reed’s School community, and as such, the Headmaster, Bursar and members of the Development team also sit on the Committee.
- Help ORs keep in touch with each other and the School.
- Organise and promote events and activities that will benefit both ORs and the School which are appropriate to all ages and geographical regions.
- Support and uphold the ethos and traditions of the School.
- Encourage our ORs to become involved with the Committee's various sports clubs - cricket, hockey, rugby and golf.
- Promote networking among ORs and the broader Reed's community.
OR Constitution
To view a copy of the OR Committee Constitution, please click here.
OR Committee profiles
Marcus Baker (Mullens 1980), OR President & Chair of OR Committee
Marcus took over the Presidency of the Old Reedonians from Nigel Taunt in September 2018 and is also the most recent member of our Board of Governors.
An Old Reedonian, he studied Business at Hertfordshire University before embarking on his insurance career in the early 1980s. By 1994, Marcus was Divisional Director, Marine and Energy division at Johnson and Higgins which was acquired by Marsh and McLennan in 1996. Marcus continued his ascension within Marsh and McLennan becoming CEO Marine London between 2004 and 2014, Deputy CEO Marine and Energy London from 2006 to 2008, CEO Marine and Energy EMEA from 2008 to 2009 to his present position of Chairman of the Global Marine Practice in 2009. Marcus is also a Pensions Fund Trustee for Marsh and McLennan and a member of the Marsh Presidents Council since 2015.
He is married with one son, who is now also an OR, as a 2019 leaver.
Justyn Herbert (Capel 1983), Vice President ORs & OR Committee member
After leaving Reed’s School in 1983, Justyn studied hotel management at Westminster College. He now works for Small Luxury Hotels of the World as the global Human Resources Director and also Finance & Commercial Director for its sister company, Luxury Hotel Partners, which manages deluxe hotels including the world-renowned Marbella Club. He started his career at The Savoy Hotel and has worked in many boutique luxury hotels including The Ritz, as well as on several projects in countries across Europe and Africa.
Justyn is a governor of a primary school in Tooting which is a member of the Reed’s School Primary Forum. He also sits on the board of a hospitality professional association and was on the steering group for a hospitality charity.
He is married with two children and lives in south-west London.
Roger Mew (Bristowe 1959), OR Committee member
At the age of five, Roger became a boarder at Andrew Reed’s Royal Wanstead School. Having passed the 11+, he transferred with nine others to Cobham in 1953. Roger enjoyed his time at Reed's, representing the School at boxing and performing in concerts on piano and clarinet. He was Secretary of the Woodwind Orchestra, a member of the Choir, the Jazz Club, the Cycling Club and a Corporal in CCF.
Roger left Reed’s in 1959 and, after travelling and working in Europe, finally settled down in the financial world eventually to become a tax consultant, which still occupies him on a part-time, freelance basis. Passions include classic cars and travel, having visited around 30 countries.
As a volunteer Roger helps disabled children ride horses and dabbles in painting in water colours and DIY generally. He continues to immensely enjoy the renewed friendships of ORs, running the online 1950s Forum of about 60 ORs and attending as many OR events as possible.
In 2016 the Governors invited Roger to become a Vice President of Reed’s in recognition of his long-standing support of the School.
Andy Wotton (Mullens 1975), OR Committee member
Jerry Ross (Mullens 2008), OR Committee member
Sam Brandon (Capel 2008), OR Committee member
Sam left Reed's in 2008 to study Sports Marketing & PR at Leeds Beckett University. He went on to specialise in social media, becoming Head of Social Media at Liverpool Football Club in 2015 then Frisson Creative Agency in 2017.
During the pandemic, in 2020, Sam turned his passion for cricket into his own business, Buffalo Cricket, selling high quality and engraved cricket equipment.
Sam lives in London with his wife and family.
Nick Gray (Blathwayt 1993), OR Committee member
Rosie Pidgeon (Blathwayt 2015), OR Committee member
Mark Hoskins (Headmaster), Reed's School
Lucy Hurford (Bursar), Reed's School
Kathryn Bartram (Development & External Relations Director), Reed’s School
Sharmaine Matthews (Head of Alumni & Community Relations), Reed’s School
Sharmaine's career started in international development aid followed by 25 years working in corporate communications, marketing and PR mainly in the media and broadcasting world with the likes of Thames Television, Sky and Capital Radio. She joined Reed's in 2008 to start the alumni relations function.
She is passionate about her role to continue to build strong relationships between the School and our amazing OR community for the mutual benefit of both parties. In addition, with her third-sector experience, she feels honoured to be able to support the work of the Reed’s Foundation in marketing and fundraising for this wonderful charity.
Married to Peter, they have four children, two of whom are Old Reedonians, leaving in 2016 and 2019. Both have thrived in this wonderful environment and Sharmaine is delighted to know that theirs and her association with the School will be lifelong.