Achievements
Mill Hill School has a long-standing tradition of nurturing talent, producing alumni who excel in a variety of fields. Here's a spotlight on some of our distinguished former students, whose achievements continue to inspire current generations. From creative innovators to business leaders, our alumni have made remarkable contributions to today's society that are truly worth celebrating.
Creative Minds
We are delighted to showcase our alumni who have pursued careers in the creative arts. From mesmerising performances on stage and screen to crafting captivating narratives, their accomplishments illustrate the opportunities that arise for pupils at The Mill Hill Education Group schools. From Patrick Troughton, renowned for his portrayal of the Second Doctor in Doctor Who, to Stanislav Ianevski, recognised for his role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, let their creative journeys inspire you.
Sir Norman Hartnell KCVO
Sir Norman Hartnell was a leading British fashion designer who was celebrated for his elegant designs. He had a distinguished role as the official dressmaker for the British Royal Family, leaving an indelible mark on the world of haute couture during the mid-20th century.
Patrick Troughton
Patrick was a British actor who is best remembered for his portrayal of the Second Doctor in the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who. His exceptional talent is credited with giving Doctor Who its longevity. His extensive career includes many prominent roles in films like The Omen and television series such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Box of Delights.
Felix Francis
After a successful career in teaching, Felix began working closely with his father and novelist, Dick Francis, on plot and character details. As Felix took on a more significant role in writing, he became co-author and since his father died in 2010, has carved his own literary niche writing thrilling crime stories.
Stanislav Ianevski
Stanislav is a Bulgarian actor who gained international recognition for his role as Viktor Krum in the Harry Potter film series, showcasing his talent in bringing the character to life in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Tanika Gupta MBE FRSL
Tanika is a celebrated playwright and screenwriter who has left an indelible mark on the arts. She has written over 25 stage plays that have been produced in major theatres across the UK including the Empress, Lions and Tigers. She has written for television including EastEnders, Grange Hill and The Bill, as well as film and radio.
Nancy Zamit
Nancy is an influential actress and director. She is the co-founder of Mischief Theatre garnering acclaim for her comedic prowess in productions like The Play That Goes Wrong, where she also serves as Associate Director. She has created comedy roles in the West End, on Broadway, for the BBC, ITV and Comic Relief.
Harry Melling
Harry is a British actor who gained recognition for his role as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter film series. Since then he has shown his versatility as Harry Beltik in The Queen’s Gambit and the Coen Brothers' film The Tragedy of Macbeth among many others.
Pioneers in Politics and Law and Business
Our esteemed alumni have made a significant and lasting impact on the UK Government and Legal System. They have shaped policies, advocated for justice, and led with integrity in various high-profile roles. Robert Marshall-Andrews KC, a prominent barrister and former MP, and Lord Roger Toulson, a Supreme Court Justice, have both significantly contributed to the current legal landscape. Their achievements highlight the importance of a quality education in nurturing leaders who drive meaningful change.
In the business world, Nigel's journey stands out as truly inspirational. From his early days as a schoolboy at Mill Hill to becoming a pioneering entrepreneur and investor, Nigel has distinguished himself through remarkable achievements in business and innovation. His success is a testament to what can be accomplished with determination and a strong educational foundation.
Cyril Barnet Salmon, Baron Salmon PC
Baron Cyril Salmon read Law at Cambridge University and went on to become a prominent British lawyer who made significant contributions to the legal field, particularly in commercial law. He was appointed to the High Court in 1957 and received a knighthood. In 1964 he was made a Lord Justice. In 1972 he was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and became a life peer with the title Baron Salmon of Sandwich in the County of Kent for his exceptional expertise and service.
The Lord Glendonbrook, Sir Michael Bishop CBE
Lord Glendonbrook, formerly Michael Bishop, joined Mercury Airlines from 1962-64 and became CEO British Midland Airways from 1969-78 then executive Chairman and principal shareholder from 1978-2009. Lord Glendonbrook was Deputy Chairman of Channel 4 Television from 1993-1994 and Chairman from 1994-1997. He was the second largest holder of slots into Heathrow and broke into the monopoly of routes to Europe. He was appointed Member of House of Lords in 2011 and Member of the Order of Australia in 2023. He is also Chairman of The Michael Bishop Foundation which was founded in 1987 and has supported many projects at the school as well as pupils who otherwise would be unable to.
Robert Marshall-Andrews KC
Robert is a distinguished criminal barrister, author and former Labour Member of Parliament for Medway from 1997-2005. He is celebrated for his illustrious legal career, parliamentary service, and prolific contributions as an author and columnist for broadsheet newspapers.
Lord Roger Toulson PC
Lord Toulson was a distinguished British lawyer and jurist who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. He became a Queen’s Counsel in 1986 and judge of the High Court of Justice in 1996, receiving the customary knighthood at the same time. Lord Toulson sat as Chairman of the Law Commission of England and Wales from 2002-2006 and in 2007 was promoted to the Court of Appeal and appointed to the Judicial Appointments Commission.
Tulip Siddiq FRSA MP
Tulip has been a Labour Member of Parliament for Kilburn since 2015 and is an advocate for social justice. She is known for her dedicated service to her constituents and active involvement in various parliamentary committees.
Nigel Wray
Nigel is a highly successful business leader and entrepreneur, sometimes called ‘Britain’s most successful investor’ who has found success in industries ranging from publishing to property becoming director in over 50 companies. Nigel is a passionate sportsman who first invested in Saracens Rugby Club in 1995 becoming Chairman in 2018 seeing them win the Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup. Nigel supports charities connected with sport including Lord Taverners and the Saracens Foundation and has supported many pupils at Mill Hill School who otherwise would have been unable to attend.
Sporting Heroes
At Mill Hill, we recognise the importance of providing a nurturing environment where students can cultivate their talents and excel in various fields, including sports. Our alumni are shining examples of the success that can be achieved with a solid foundation in academics and athletics. From representing England in the Olympics to dominating the squash scene, our past pupils have demonstrated remarkable results of dedication and quality education. Here are some of our esteemed alumni who have made a significant impact in the world of sport.
Mike Corby
Mike is a world-class sportsman. While at school he won the Drysdale cup for squash, the junior Wimbledon cup and played schoolboy hockey for England. He went on to play squash and hockey for England competing in the 1964 and 1972 Olympic games in hockey. He also dominated the squash scene, holding the British number one position for almost a decade and representing England in three World Team Squash Championships between 1967 and 1971. Mike represented England and Great Britain on more than 250 occasions playing hockey and squash.
Timothy Phillips CBE
During his time at Mill Hill, Tim successfully captained the Mill Hill 1st XV Tennis team to victory, winning the Independent Schools National Tennis Championship 1958. While at Oxford University, Tim earned a triple Blue in tennis, squash and hockey. He went on to compete in three Grand Slam tennis tournaments: Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open, reaching the semi-finals of the US men's doubles in 1964. He went on to enjoy a distinguished career with British Airways holding various leadership roles globally and contributing significantly to the airline's success. Tim was the Chairman of All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from 1999-2010 and Chairman of Fields in Trust from 2012-2019.
Adam Rossington
Adam is an English professional cricketer who plays for Essex County Cricket Club. He made his debut for the England Under-19s in 2010 and has since played for Northamptonshire, Middlesex and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Sophia Dunkley
Sophia is a talented English cricketer who, at the age of 25, has already represented England over 80 times. She has distinguished herself as an all-rounder and in addition to playing for England has represented Surrey, Southeast Stars, Welsh Fire, Melbourne Stars and the Gujarat Giants.
Media Moguls
Embarking on careers in media, our alumni showcase the transformative power of communication and storytelling. From broadcasters to journalists to authors and editors, these individuals have not only informed and connected with audiences but have also left an indelible mark on the expansive landscape of media. Their journeys highlight the importance of quality education, a foundation provided by Mill Hill School, in nurturing the skills, creativity and vision necessary for shaping the future of media.
Richard Dimbleby CBE
Richard was a pioneering journalist and broadcaster who became the BBC’s first war correspondent, and then its leading news commentator. He hosted all-night election specials and was the lead presenter on Panorama from 1955. He covered iconic moments such as the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and his searching, polite style of questioning has made a lasting impact on the field of broadcasting.
Sir Simon Jenkins FSA FRSL FLSW
Sir Simon Jenkins is a distinguished journalist, author and editor. After graduating from Oxford University, Simon worked for several high-profile magazines before becoming a features editor at the Evening Standard. From 1976 – 1978 he was editor of the Evening Standard before becoming political editor of The Economist from 1979-1986. He edited The Times from 1990 – 1992 and since then has been a columnist for The Times and The Guardian. Simon chaired the National Trust from 2008 – 2014.
Vir Sanghvi
Vir is a prominent journalist and television personality in India, renowned for his influential contributions to the field of media, including his role as the Editorial Director of the Hindustan Times and as the host of the popular TV show A Question of Answers.
Musicians
In music, passion often leads to remarkable careers, and Mill Hill has nurtured countless talents who have turned this passion into a resounding success. From prolific composers and conductors right through to multi-award-winning musicians and songwriters. These alumni highlight the transformative power of education at Mill Hill in fostering musical talent.
Cyril Ornadel
Cyril was a prolific composer and conductor whose contributions to musical theatre including orchestrations for hit shows like Pickwick and Irma La Douce, led to him receiving four Ivor Novello Awards.
Jamie Hartman
Jamie is a multi-award-winning musician and songwriter. He started as the lead singer of indie-pop band Ben’s Brother and has gone on to write with dozens of artists including Christina Aguilera, Lewis Capaldi, and Kylie Minogue to name just a few. He wrote Rag'n'Bone Man's Human which reached number one in the charts in 16 countries. We were delighted to welcome him back to school for Foundation Day in 2023 when he gave a sensational live performance of the song in the Sports Hall.
Scientific Excellence
Mill Hill's commitment to nurturing exceptional talent in science is evident in the accomplishments of our alumni. Dr. Francis Crick FRS, a pioneer in molecular biology, alongside James Watson, made the groundbreaking discovery of DNA's structure, laying the foundation for modern molecular biology. Their achievement, born from rigorous education and dedication, highlights the power of quality learning.
Dr Francis Crick FRS
Francis was a pioneering British molecular biologist renowned for his groundbreaking co-discovery of the structure of DNA, alongside James Watson. They famously made their discovery at The Eagle Pub in Cambridge where they were studying at the time. Their work laid the foundation for modern molecular biology and earned them a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.
Dr Leanne Armitage MBBS BSc (Hons)
Leanne is a medical doctor and multi-award-winning leader who co-founded The Armitage Foundation, an organisation that aims to increase diversity across UK medical schools, receiving the Queen’s Young Leaders Award for her work in 2018.
It’s incredible looking back at what everyone has accomplished over the years since leaving one of our schools. These alumni exemplify the values of excellence and dedication nurtured at our schools. Their achievements across sports, science, laws, arts and business continue to inspire us, and future generations.
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