5 Minute Q & A with Dominique Kelly & Mr Hicks

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” Barry Finlay, Kilimanjaro and Beyond When did you leave Archbishop Beck? 2008 Present Occupation Product Owner – Barclays What do you value most in people? A kind and open mind. Lockdown barriers and challenges? Not being able to stand in a crowd and listen to live music, it was a luxury I didn’t truly appreciate until it was taken away. I am also a very active person and I like to be busy – so being cooped up, not being able to see my family and friends, travel or even go the gym was very difficult at times. Highlight of career? I was sponsored by Barclays to complete my second degree, graduating with a first class in Leadership & Management from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. I also had the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, helping to raise over £1 million for The Christie Hospital in memory of a colleague who sadly lost her battle with Cancer. Like most about job? I’ve enjoyed working on challenging and impactful changes and projects, including Brexit and Mortgage Payment Holidays as part of the pandemic response. These allowed me to make a positive contribution during unprecedented times, supporting people during very difficult and sometimes life changing moments. Favourite Memories? Travelling and dancing with the band, Lake Garda in particular (Mr Hicks you may remember falling/being pushed in the poolJ). Also performing Macbeth in the House of Commons. I just loved my time at Archbishop Beck, and I made friends for life. Advice given to a younger self? Make the right choices and decisions for you. They may not always be the easiest ones to make or the easiest paths to take, but you must be brave Favourite film Gladiator Favourite song Impossible to pick just one but if I have to, ‘Wheels’ by the Foo Fighters Favourite book Peter Pan – J.M Barrie Finally, many thanks Dom, it has been fantastic catching up with you, and yes, I do remember a group of “unruly” 6th Formers throwing a particular teacher in the pool in Lake Garda! Keep climbing life’s mountains, enjoying life, and helping others!