Head Boy: Steve Boynton OW 1986
12th January 2024
When did you come to King Edward's Witley?
I was at King Edward’s Witley between 1979 and 1986, initially in Queen Mary House then Ridley. I remember the school film nights and house discos fondly. Sports/activities wise I most enjoyed the outward bound activities and D of E. I played clarinet, eventually leading the school band.
What did life after school hold?
After leaving King Edward’s, I joined the Royal Navy on a University cadetship, completing my basic officer training at the Naval College in Dartmouth and onboard HMS Euryalus in the Caribbean. Following further training on the aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, I went to study Geography at Manchester University, graduating in 1991 and returning to the Navy full-time. Following completion of my training I was the navigating officer on HMS Hurworth (minesweeper) and the senior watch keeper on HMS Brilliant deployed to the Adriatic during the Serbian conflict. We were also the subject of a BBC ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary called (originally) HMS Brilliant. Following this, I trained as a helicopter Observer (Navigator and Tactician) and flew Sea King helicopters from another aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible, including operations in the Gulf. I then instructed Observers at the Royal Navy Observer School in Cornwall. I finished my Navy career with a two year stint at the MOD in London, and a job assessing ships for operational duty in Plymouth.
On leaving the Royal Navy (with an MBA that I studied for during my time in the Navy) I started working for Goldman Sachs in London, moving to Barclays after six years where I still am.
I’m married with two grown-up children and now live in SW London.
