We were delighted to speak with Mrs Heather Roberts, who is the Communications Manager and is a part of the Development Team. We spoke with Mrs Roberts to learn more about her and her role.

How long have you worked at the school?

I started in April 2024, after the Easter holiday.

What does your role involve?

I am the Communications Manager for the Development Team. It is my role to produce all of our content across multiple channels to engage the school’s supporters of both bursaries and future campaigns. We build meaningful and lasting relationships with the school’s alumni and the wider community through our newsletters and school events. It is a really varied role, no week is the same!

What is your favourite thing about the school?

I love the grounds, I love the lunches but mostly I love the history – I feel very lucky working alongside Francesca our Archivist, she is a fort of Mill Hill knowledge.

What advice would you give to our pupils to help them get the most out of their time here?

Our pupils are so fortunate to not only have an amazing pool of resources and facilities at their fingertips during their time at school but beyond that they can tap into the wider Old Millhillian community network. Whether that is to talk about university choices, mentoring or career advice it’s all there to tap in to.

What is your favourite book and film for our pupils, and why?

I recently watched The Zone of Interest a film loosely based on the book by Martin Amis. I was enthralled by the way it examined humans in such an extraordinary situation. Like nothing I have seen before. It leaves you thinking.

My favourite book is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. I have read this several times and even gone in search of the bookshop it is based around – sadly it is long gone and has been turned into a Pizza Hut the last time I looked. It is a heart warming memoir of human interaction. It doesn’t take long to read – great for when you’re on the tube! Anthony Hopkins plays the lead in the 1987 film version.

Could you share an inspirational quote and tell us how it inspires you?

“Not all those who wander are lost;” - J R RTolkien. When I first read this quote, I felt heard. Whether you apply it to your thoughts, geographically or to your career, we put so much pressure on ourselves to know what we want to do or where we’d like to be. This is a reminder we don’t always need to know or that we might not find the answers standing still.

Can you tell us something interesting that we might not know about you?

Working in Development is my second career. For many years I worked as a fashion editor for glossy magazines, but I became disillusioned with the fashion industry and its harmful practices to planet and people. I am a big advocate of sustainable fashion.