A former head boy of King Edward’s Witley was awarded with a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.
Sir Peter Estlin was recognised for services to international business, inclusion and skills.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said, “but the sense of motivation to do more is enormous.
“From childhood I’ve felt a need to support others where I can and that’s something I’ve been able to do more and more over the years and want to carry on doing.”
Estlin joined King Edward’s Witley when his mother fell ill and his father was away at sea with the Royal Navy.
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The school, he said, was a “home-from-home providing the stability and pastoral care that I needed.
“The environment provided a sense of protection from the outside world whilst also representing a microcosm of society, so that, when you left, you had already experienced the reality and benefits of living in a truly global civilisation, mixing with children from a broad range of backgrounds.
“Ultimately, I would say that my stay at King Edward’s taught me the value of education in its broadest sense, i.e. not just the development of academic skills and knowledge but also building vital life skills.”
The Old Witleian, a financial expert by trade, went on to graduate from the University of Bristol before serving as an alderman, sheriff and – from 2018-19 – lord mayor in the City of London.
