A flexible approach to careers

Huge thanks to Old Shirburnian's Henry Mitchell, James Cochrane-Dyet and Charlie Hoare, who joined us to discuss the ways their own careers have progressed in different, sometimes surprising ways and the skills and competencies that can be developed throughout a varied career. As ever, invaluable careers advice and insight for the pupils from the Old Shirburnian Society community. 

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Henry Mitchell

Henry is a Legal Counsel specialising in construction, green energy and mining. Henry is part of Zurich-based Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) - a global leader in developing energy from waste (EfW) and renewable gas projects. He studied philosophy and classics at Durham University and completed his post-grad legal studies at BPP law school in London. His varied career has included time in the army, private investigation , four years in rural Nigeria setting up a gold mine, artisanal mining consultancy in Canada and more traditional legal roles in Oman, New Zealand and Switzerland. 

James Cochrane-Dyet

James is studying for his MBA between London Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After leaving Sherborne in 2008 he took a gap year during which he worked as an intern for Barack Obama’s inaugural presidential campaign. He studied International Relations and History at Durham, and worked for a brief spell as a journalist in the West Bank before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After commissioning, he spent six years in the British Army as an officer in the Blues & Royals, during which he commanded soldiers on training exercises, ceremonial duties and overseas operations. For the last year he has worked as a strategy consultant on global projects in London, New York and Paris, and was appointed as a strategic advisor to NHS London’s COVID-19 Crisis Team last spring. He is currently pursuing post-graduation opportunities in technology and entrepreneurship.

Charlie Hoare

Charlie Hoare is a life coach and culture consultant. Personal experience of depression and anxiety led him to write ‘MAN DOWN: A Man’s Guide to Mental Health’, which was published in March 2020. He co-founded TÅPPED birch water having worked for Innocent Drinks, Air Asia and start ups in London, Hong Kong and Malaysia, from where he cycled the 10,000 miles home (perhaps ironically for mental health charity SANE!). He has a MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology.