Guest speaker: Moira Sinclair, Wednesday 27 March 2019
As part of our ongoing guest speaker programme, the Sixth Form enjoyed an engaging and uplifting talk by Moira Sinclair, Chief Executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation – an independent charitable foundation issuing some £30 million per year in grants in areas related to opening up the Arts, cultural access and striving for social justice. Following a successful early career in the Theatre and then district council, Moira was previously Executive Director of Arts Council, London and South East, and was instrumental in cultural delivery for Olympics 2012.
With a background in the Arts, Moira pointed out that 1 in 12 of all jobs in the UK are in the Creative Sector, where we are a proven world leader. She talked enthusiastically about following your dreams, finding a career in something you are passionate about, and taking up every opportunity to bank employability skills as you progress along your career.
She also shared more general attributes she believed were essential for a successful career: perseverance, resilience (“bouncebackability” and the ability to cope and overcome); teamwork (think of an orchestra with many parts); self-confidence (…but not arrogance) and authenticity: staying true to who you are.
Moira passed on some great advice about how to overcome a lack of confidence, including posture, breathing techniques to calm you down, good preparation, as well as accepting praise when it is offered to nurture self-belief. We all left feeling inspired and motivated, wrapped in our ‘cloaks of confidence’ to go forth and chase our dreams.
We are very grateful to Moira for taking time out of her busy day to come and talk to us.
