Following the announcement in September that Emma Walmsley HH 1987 had been appointed CEO designate and would join the Board of GlaxoSmithKine in January 2017, there was a flurry of media interest in Emma's background and achievements.

Emma studied Classics and Modern Languages at Christ Church, Oxford before working in a variety of marketing and general management roles at L'Oreal and elsewhere before joining GSK's consumer healthcare division. She will be one of just seven female CEOs of FTSE 100 companies.

BBC Radio 4 was amongst those to publish a profile of Emma. We were delighted to be able to put them in touch with former staff and pupils who had signed up to our alumnae database to keep in touch, and who individually agreed to speak to researchers. An old school friend was interviewed, along with a Latin teacher whom Emma described as 'inspirational'. Miss Thomas was kind enough to contribute some comments to the broadcast, in addition to referring to the school motto 'caritas, humilitas, sinceritas'. You can listen to the Profile on BBC's iPlayer for a limited time here.

The school is proud of the achievements of Old Girls such as Emma, but even more proud of the lasting impact its teachers have had on pupils. The publicity surrounding Emma's praise for Miss Thomas encouraged other alumnae to get in touch and ask to be put in touch with their favourite staff, including History teacher Mrs Morwood who had inspired one Old Girl's love of learning through her encouragement of historical re-enactment in the classroom. Another, who is still in touch with Miss Thomas, confirms "It's wonderful what a powerful influence good teachers can have on your life."