Trustees & Officers

• President: Dominic Kalantary, Shuker 2008-2015

  

  When I left Trent 2015, I attended the University of Exeter to study Economics and Politics. After graduating, and a brief spell training to be a chartered accountant at a ‘big four’, I co-founded a transport solutions business with fellow Old Trident Peter Nathanail. I feel very fortunate to work with Independent Schools across a wide geographic area, from Scotland to the Southwest, as well as a number of Government bodies.

  I joined the OT Society Committee of Trustees in 2017, in the role of Treasurer and I am delighted now to have been elected President, from 30 November 2021.

  I recently bought my first home, located in a village on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the piano as well as going for a gentle jog in the Leicestershire countryside.

• Secretary: Rex Gooding, Wortley 1956-1960

  I began my property career in 1960 with Walker Walton Hanson, now known as Savills. I worked at their Albert Road branch (which today is Rex Gooding’s West Bridgford office!). I later moved to Hallam Brackets, who were then located in the building opposite our office, and I managed their West Bridgford and Ruddington offices until 1988, when I set up my own property business, Rex Gooding.

  I am the past Chairman and current President of the National Association of Estate Agents (East Midlands Branch) as well as holding my position as Vice President and Trustee of the Old Tridents Society.

  I am married to Christine and we have two children, Daniel (also an Old Trident, Wortley, 1989-1996) and Chloe who have both followed me into the property business, and each manage a Rex Gooding branch office.

  I am a keen golfer and enthusiastic Past President of the Rotary Club of Rushcliffe, and Secretary of the Black Pheasant Investment Club, a meeting of local business owners with an interest in stocks and shares.

• Treasurer: Peter Nathanail, Wright 2008-2015

  I am Commercial and Operations Director at Vectare, a transport solutions company I founded in 2016 with fellow Old Trident Dominic Kalantary. I am responsible for operational efficiency, customer service and the business’s growth strategy, including M&A and public sector sales, whilst also leading a team of forty staff who successfully deliver approximately two million passenger journeys per annum.

  I live in Loughborough with my wife, Anna, and in my spare time I enjoy walking and mountain biking.

  During my time at Trent, I founded the Trent College Environmental Team, and remain keenly interested in environmental protection and sustainability.

• Trustee: David Bladen, Hanbury 1996-2003

  

  I joined the OT Society’s general committee over 15 years ago. I became Events & Social Committee Chair in 2010 and in 2018, was elected a Trustee.

  I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my time as a pupil at Trent College. I built some strong and long lasting (to this day) friendships and do believe that Trent has made me the person I am today.

  I studied Planning & Property Development at NTU and went on to become a Chartered Surveyor. I joined Musson Liggins, a Nottingham based Chartered Surveyor firm, in 2008. I am an RICS Registered Valuer and recently became an Equity Director of the business.

  I have a keen interest in classic cars (my first love is my original 1972 1300a VW Beetle!), Formula 1 and rugby. I am a member of the coaching staff at Long Eaton RFC.

  I live just down the road from Trent College, with my wife Natalie, our two primary school aged children, Darcey and Alfie and our sausage dog Ralph.

• Trustee: Bruce Hall, Wortley 1977-1981, Blake 1981-1983

  Whilst at Trent, I was Head of Blake House 1981-1982, and I also held the Head Boy position for two terms in 1983. After leaving Trent, I went to the University of Leeds to study Materials Engineering and then went on to complete a PhD at the University of Cambridge.

  After University I joined Shell, before moving to Castrol in 1996. I held various Sales & Marketing roles in the UK and beyond during this time before I became Sales Director for North Europe in 2014. In 2017 I became CEO of ONYX, a global leader in predictive analytics for the Wind sector, and I moved back to the Nottingham area.

  I am married to Dawn, and we have two children (Tom and Sophie) who are both pupils at Trent College.

  I am looking forward to contributing to the OT Society in my role as Trustee.

• Trustee: David Harrison, Wright 1952-1957

  I was a House Prefect and member of the CCF during my time at Trent College. I have very fond memories of my Trent College education and am proud to remain involved in supporting the school to this day, some 50 years plus later!

  I studied Mechanical Engineering and my entire career focused on aerospace engineering. My first job was stress analysis of components for aircraft control systems. I then moved into contracts, focusing on work share partners and customers, on both Military and Civilian Aircraft.

• Trustee: George Livesey, Shuker 2010-2015

  I graduated from Exeter University in 2018, with a First in Politics, having also received the Dean’s Commendation for Exceptional Performance. As a graduate, I joined the House of Commons as Parliamentary Assistant to The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, a role I continue to hold.

  My family has a strong link with Trent College, I am one of six Old Tridents! During my time at Trent, I was a Senior Prefect, Head of CCF and a member of the 1st XV.

  I have held roles on various voluntary organisation committees and during my spare time, I enjoy showing horses and watching rugby and cricket.

• Trustee: Ian Norman, Hanbury 1974-1981

  I am a Virgin Atlantic Airline Captain, currently flying the Airbus A350-1000 and Airbus A330. Along with being an airline Captain, I am also the Human Factors (HF) Lead at Virgin Atlantic, having instruction/facilitation CRM (crew resource management) experience in both the commercial, business jet and military fast jet aviation areas.

  After leaving Trent College, I completed nearly 20 years’ service in the RAF, flying Buccaneers, Hawks and Tornado GR1A aircraft, reaching the rank of Sqn Ldr. This enabled me to gain a wide-ranging military, worldwide, operational experience.

  Since leaving the RAF and joining Virgin Atlantic, I have supported the next generation of pilots by being a voluntary pilot at 7AEF RAFC Cranwell for a number of years.

  More recently, I have re-joined the RAF in a part-time reservist position as RAF (VeRR) – Sqn Ldr. I use my broad aviation and HF experience, to fulfil the role of ISTAR force operational capability Senior HF Facilitator at RAF Waddington.

  Outside of the main work positions, I am an experienced BALPA Pilot H&S Rep, Co-Chairing the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) Occupational Health and Welfare Steering Group (OHWSG), along with Chair of the BALPA Occupational Health and Safety Group (OHSG).

  I am proud to have been awarded Fellowship (FRAeS) of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2020 for my contribution to aerospace and aviation, and to be a member of RAeS Human Factors in Flight Operations and Training Group.

  My interests beyond my career include National 12 dinghy sail racing/offshore sailing, travel, skiing, mountain biking, trekking, photography, and fitness training.

  I attribute all of my skills to the teaching and learning I received at Trent College.

  I very much look forward to supporting students and staff at Trent College through the OT Society and helping the next generation to fulfil their full potential.

• Trustee: Tom Singleton, Shuker 2005-2012

  I am both an Old Trident and a former member of staff, having worked in the school’s Marketing Department between 2012-2014, as well as supporting in the boarding community and Trent College International Summer School during 2013.

  I have a wealth of live events experience, including taking over from David Curtiss (Trent Music teacher 1980-2012) in producing the Trent renowned Strawberries Concert between 2012 – 2017. I have also worked alongside the Trent Parents’ Association to produce the annual ‘Rock on the Terrace’ outdoor concert and supported the school’s Development & Alumni team in the production of the 150th Anniversary’s ‘Royal Finale Ball’.

  Based in Birmingham, I am an Account Director for a Global Marketing Technology agency, working with International brands and retailers on the execution of their marketing campaigns. I also own a live events and retail business, supporting consumers in revolutionising their online shopping experiences.

  I live in Nottinghamshire with my wife Nicola and our young daughter Isabella.

• Trustee: Ali Wright, Teacher of Modern Languages & Head of Pupil Information Systems 1990-2011

  I was born in Derby and raised in Sawley, just a couple of miles from Trent College. After completing A Levels at Long Eaton School, I gained a Joint Honours Degree in French and German at the University of Keele followed by a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Nottingham.

  My first teaching post was at Trent College, where I taught MFL for 21 years! During this time, I was Head of German and also Head of Pupil Information Systems. I left Trent in 2011 to follow my heart to Suffolk, where I now live just to the east of Ipswich with my partner, Mike.

  After two years working as Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Holbrook Academy, I spent eight years as Head of Modern Foreign Languages at The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, overlooking the majestic River Stour.

  I retired from teaching at the end of the academic year 2020-21 and am now enjoying reigniting a passion for photography and learning how to use a camera properly!

  I have a daughter, Elly (20), who is currently a student at the University of Derby. My sister Georgina (who has worked at Trent in the Music Department for over 15 years) and parents still live in Sawley, so I am a frequent visitor to this part of the world.

  I consider myself incredibly fortunate in my teaching career to have been able to teach at some incredible schools, but as Trent College has always been my ‘first love’, I am both thrilled and excited to be able to contribute once again to the College as a Trustee of the Old Tridents Society.

• OT Society Administrator: Jo Slater, Development & Alumni Relations Manager

  I joined Trent College, in the Alumni team, in 2011.  My two young children at the time were pupils at The Elms Junior School. In 2017 I joined the Boarding House community, first as a duty tutor one evening a week in Martin House and in 2021, I joined the Blake House team.

  I love getting to know new people and hearing their stories.  In alumni relations you are constantly hearing stories; uplifting, inspiring and nostalgic.  I love hearing about people’s memories.  It’s really satisfying when you can be involved in someone’s story by helping them to play a part in having a positive impact in the life of the school and most importantly contributing to the educational experience of the pupils, whether that is making a difference financially or by offering time and knowledge.  I also love how we can facilitate bringing old friends together, reconnecting friendships and sharing their interesting stories.  Telling a story is very powerful in so many ways.

  My eldest child is now an Old Trident (class of 2019).  I have a vested interest in Trent College not only as an employee but as a parent of a sixth form student and an Old Trident! It is a pleasure to work alongside the OT Society Trustees and support their endeavours to further the interests of Trent College.