Our Committee

As a committee our mission is to make the OCA as inclusive and relevant to its members and the wider school community as possible. Working closely with the School we hope the transition from pupil to former pupil will be seamless and that we can play our part in harmonious cooperation with other groups, especially the Parents' Association and wider Caterham School community, to ensure events are enjoyed by as wide a group as possible.

David Kinnear

(OC 1978-1985, OCA President from 2023)

David is a lawyer (Barrister of Middle Temple), a Mediator and Private Hearing Adjudicator, a StartUp (Legal Technology) Founder and the Owner Publisher of High Performance Counsel, tracking the evolution of the modern business of law.

He enjoys supporting the school sports fixtures, classic cars and offshore sailing, having competed in the ’92 Trans-Atlantic with the Rona Trust onboard Rona II. In his quieter time, he enjoys walks in the great outdoors, reading, writing poetry and photography.

Paul Sharp

(OC 1963-1972, OCA Treasurer from 2016)

After obtaining a Business Studies degree, Paul qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He then joined BP where he worked for more than 30 years in various senior financial roles.

During his career he lived in Germany, Greece, Belgium, Russia, the USA and South Africa. Both his daughter and son attended Caterham School and he now lives in Oxted with his wife Grace. Since 2015 Paul is now largely retired and enjoys supporting the OCA as well as pursuing his numerous hobbies.

Rhia Patel

(OC 2011-2016, OCA Committee Member from 2022)

Rhia obtained an MA degree at the University of Edinburgh in French and Spanish. As part of her degree, she spent 6 months of her exchange year in Buenos Aires, working for a social enterprise and teaching English. She then spent the latter half of her year in Paris, studying at the Sorbonne. She now works in Asset Management at BlackRock within the operations and strategy division for the ETF and active funds business. Aside of work, Rhia volunteers at Juvenis, a South London-based youth organisation, working with disadvantaged students to help navigate their further education and career paths. Rhia also enjoys playing the piano, something she did a lot of in the old Humphrey’s Hall!

Benjamin Horne

(OC 2002-2009, OCA Committee Member from 2022)

Departing Caterham in 2009, Ben moved north to study Ancient History and Classics at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating he worked for Waitrose as part of their business expansion into Scotland, before leaving to work for AirBnB. Living beyond the wall for nearly ten years, he also briefly worked in Ghana as part of the Department for International Development's Overseas programme. Returning back to the South East in 2018 Ben has been working in International Freight with all its challenges, but can be found travelling back to Scotland as often as is allowed.

David Rogers

(Honorary OC, OCA Committee Member from 2006)

David came to Caterham School in 1969 to teach mathematics and remained at the school until he retired in August 2006, having spent the last eight years being Head of Mathematics. During his very enjoyable time at the School he was appointed the first Housemaster of the newly-formed Aldercombe House in 1973, and in 1985 became the last Housemaster of Beech Hanger, a post he held until 1985 when Beech Hanger became the girls’ boarding house. In October 1973, David married Lilian. They have two sons (both OCs), a daughter, and four grandchildren.

Bill Broadhead

(OC 1953–1960, OCA Sports Club Representative from 2013)

Born in the Scottish Borders, Bill moved to Caterham, and Caterham School, when his father was transferred to London. Bill's multi-discipline, managerial career with BT was complemented by his local theatre activity and his sport as a life-long member of OCRFC and President since 1992. He was OCA President in 1979–1980, and then joined the Board of Caterham School, serving for 30 years – ultimately as Chairman of Trustees. Bill's wife Alison was a laboratory technician at Caterham. Their daughter, Nicola (OC 1991–1993) lives and works in Suffolk and their son Richard (OC 1989–1996) lives and works in Tokyo.

Colin Bagnall

(OC 1949–1955, School Archivist from 2008)

On leaving Caterham, Colin went on to read English at Oxford and take a Diploma in Education before embarking on a career in teaching. After a year in Sweden, he returned to the UK and spent the rest of his career working at schools in Croydon teaching English and as a member of the senior management team. He works in his retirement for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and is the school archivist.

Vivien Parsons

(OE 1964-1978, EOGA Secretary from 2011)

Vivien is an Eothen Old Girl and Secretary of the Eothen Old Girls’ Association (EOGA). Since leaving school in 1978, she has had a variety of administration and secretarial roles, but for the last 14 years, has been an Examinations Officer, first at Sackville School in East Grinstead, and, since 2008, at Worth School in West Sussex. Vivien is the daughter of an OC, and is married with two adult sons and one granddaughter. She sings with a local choir and puts the excellent breathing training from her school days to good use!