Alumnus Recognised in TradeFlock’s ’10 Best Corporate Leaders in Asia 2024′
Mark joined Bloxham from Ashford Prep keen to give everything a go. He was a talented sportsman, had County rugby selection in the U14s and Junior Colts, and played hockey, fives and athletics. He was awarded Senior House Colours at the end of Fifth Form, which was rare at the time. Alongside sport, Mark was a Crake Prefect and was a prominent member of the CCF – he was one of the youngest cadets to earn his parachute wings.
When Mark arrived in Third Form, his brother Lee (Cr 82-87), now an engineer, was in Fifth Form. At school, Mark met his wife-to-be Joanne (née Wright (Sy 87-89)) and they were married for 20 years. They have three daughters – one an Old Bloxhamist studying Drama and Dance at Northampton and the youngest in her final year at Bloxham.
After graduating with a law degree, Mark entered the commercial world, working for high profile businesses in the UK and internationally. Today, with over 30 years’ FMCG experience, he is Head of Business Excellence at Enhance Group in the Sultanate of Oman. In December, Mark was recognised as one of the 10 Best Corporate Leaders in Asia by TradeFlock business magazine.
Which teacher inspired you?
Stephen Price (Staff 79-93) “Skippy”, as everyone fondly knew him, unlocked the seemingly complex maze of formulae and rules in Maths. Of my A Level subjects (Maths, English Literature, Politics and General Studies), working in a commercial world, Maths has been the most useful. The strangest part is that I became an actual statistic of using algebra in the real world. I use algebra when creating formulae for supply chain issues, ensuring you have the right products, in the right shops, at the right time.
What is your fondest memory of Bloxham?
The glory days! The opportunities that school provided as extracurricular activities like SkiBlox trips, the JCR, Saturday nights with the Film Society and BSFAS (the Bloxham School Film Appreciation Society), which Simon Batten (Staff 1985-current) ran. Simon was also a big influence on my time at school. The inter-house rivalries were always strong, especially in rugby between Crake, Wilson and Raymond.
Sport was great. I was selected to play in 1st teams throughout but due to injury, had to give up contact sport aged 16. I went into Third Form at 5’11 and left Bloxham at 5’11, so it was probably a good thing that injury enforced my retirement, as I think I would have lost my competitive edge! It allowed me to explore other sports that I may not have had the opportunity to, like Fives. It’s amazing that Bloxham has some of the few remaining Fives courts in the country and great to hear that it is still being played today. Colin Stewart (Staff 71-13) was brilliant at the game and learning from him was amazing. He was one of the teachers who really made a difference.
The CCF taught me so many life skills too. I learnt to parachute in the Fifth Form and learnt target shooting, clay pigeon shooting and we all got pretty good at smearing our faces to aid our disguise as we hid in the Oxfordshire countryside for a few hours every week.
Bloxham Rugby 1986
Tell us more about the parachute jump?
It was the weekend before my O Levels started and, now that I’m a parent, I am not sure if I would give my daughters the same permission as my parents did for me back then. That said, it was an incredible experience. I thought it was a great idea because it let me relax and unwind.
I am not a risk taker, but not risk averse either. Bloxham taught me about calculated risk in many ways, weighing the pros and cons. In management these are translated into research, planning and preparation, and cost vs benefit analysis.
Do you remember The Princess Royal HRH Princess Anne opening the Dewey Sports Centre?
Yes, in 1986 we were all lined up having been told that a VIP would be arriving to officially open the Dewey (of course we had been using it for a few weeks – especially learning useful skills on the climbing wall). I met Princess Anne a second time at a business event in Covent Garden Market and reminded her of her visit to Bloxham, which of course, she politely remembered and asked what I was doing now. At the time I was importing live lobsters from Nova Scotia into Heathrow to supply to the most exclusive restaurants and celebrity chefs across London.
How did your time at Bloxham prepare you for what you are doing today?
Bloxham gave me opportunities and life skills that I wouldn’t otherwise have had. I look back on my days at Bloxham as the best days of my life, so much fun and freedom, and treasured memories. I’m still close to many school friends to this day and we meet up whenever we can. I’ve always believed it’s important to keep up with your friendships and never turn anyone away, to make time for people. Bloxham brought together so many people from different walks of life and different countries. It was all about the team spirit and camaraderie, whether it was in the classroom, CCF or sport. There were special bonds made which have lasted for decades.
Bloxham gives the confidence of action and maturity of thought. There are many examples of leadership that are bestowed upon the pupils whether it is on the sports field, or as a prefect or House Captain.
Sixth Form Dance
As a current parent and an Old Bloxhamist is it interesting to see the changes?
I always hoped that my children would have the same education and opportunities that I had – Bloxham is a special place.
With the girls, we have shared memories of so many things. Different decades, different generations but there’s a common thread and common stories; some traditions don’t change. Looking at the School today, it’s nice to see all the improvements that have come, but the character is still there, the essence of the School is the same and the imposing buildings as soon as you come through the front gates always pulls on the heart a little. It’s not just the education at Bloxham, it’s everything else that comes with it – the whole package and leaving as well-rounded individuals.
In Sixth Form, I remember studying Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire and two of my girls have now had the opportunity to study this amazing drama at the same place where Tennessee Williams became one of my favourite playwrights. Both now understand why I have been talking about him for so many years.
Please tell us about your career path.
After university, I was entering the workplace in a time of recession and needed to find a job. I decided against pursuing a career in law, and I entered the commercial world of FMCG, a field that I enjoyed. I started literally on the shop floor as a shelf stacker for Tesco in Bicester, then having had a few promotions, I furthered my career in the corporate world at Shell UK and Nestlé all within the UK before I spread my wings with international moves to Cyprus, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and today, I am in Oman. Having worked at every level from shelf stacker to CCO has definitely given me a special insight and helped me to understand and empathise at all levels.
I have always liked to have a goal in mind. It’s often small steps to get there, increments to meet the milestones that you set yourself. Everyone needs something to aim for, otherwise I think it would be a pretty dreary life.
What is your greatest professional achievement to date?
In July 2024, I was selected as a participant in “Leaders of The GCC Countries” through a trade publication, TradeFlock, and by December this had progressed to being recognised in their “10 Best Corporate Leaders in Asia 2024”. It was a real honour to receive this award and a great way to start 2025.
TradeFlock commented: “Mark is a leader who leads with courage, clarity, and purpose… His dedication to driving business excellence, mentoring the next generation, and transforming challenges into breakthroughs has inspired countless individuals and teams.”
What do you enjoy most about your career today?
I enjoy the variety, no two days are the same. Interestingly, I work most days on negotiations and contracts and so my law training has remained with me.
In management it is important to have people join you on the journey. If the plan is only ever seen as yours, then the path will be a lonely one. I coined my five Es of leadership: Engagement, Empowerment, Empathy, Emotional intelligence and Execution. They really are the core attributes for anyone who reaches senior management leadership roles within a commercial organisation. More than that though, I would say it applies everywhere you go. If you are unable to identify with your personnel, you have nothing.
What advice would you give to your past self when you were at Bloxham?
Enjoy yourself, absolutely, but start preparing for exams earlier.
What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your industry?
Find a mentor who has trodden the path before you, this can accelerate your learning curve and help you to avoid pitfalls or setbacks. Mentorship is incredibly important in any career. For me, my mentors have shaped my leadership philosophy and, today, being a mentor to others is very important to me. Mentoring opportunities to the younger generation becomes amplified as you rise in seniority and it is hugely rewarding. It reminds me a great deal of inspirational figures at school, Stephen Price, Colin Stewart and Simon Batten. They shaped my mind when I was at Bloxham and, today, I’m doing my bit in giving back and helping to shape minds of the future – there’s a lot of synergies in there.
In business you have to be good at your planning and preparation. Be prepared for the meeting, be prepared for the interview and be prepared to walk away from any deal or contract if it isn’t right for you – ethically, morally or commercially.
Crake revisited
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