Introducing the new President of the OV Club

Please join us in welcoming the new President of the OV Club, OV James Smalley (Br 10-17). James was voted in at the OV Club Committee AGM in September 2023 with unanimous support.

The role of the President is to represent the OV community at key events in the School’s calendar, and act as a figurehead, embodying King’s values while bringing the OV community together. The position is usually held for one to two years.

Those who were present at September’s Annual OV Dinner in College Hall will doubtless recall James’s inaugural speech as President, in which he explored what it means to be a member of the King’s community: “It’s the unquantifiable feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself, something that stretches beyond the boundaries of lessons or sports practice…this additional component, this unknown, unmeasurable feeling that nowhere else seems to be able to conjure up, could I think be distilled into the moment when you and a stranger realise that you have King’s in common.”

James takes over from OV Julia Annable (nee Simcock, Co 85-87), who has recently been representing OVs both as President of the OV Club and Chair of the OV Committee. While Julia continues in her role as Chair, she has handed over the responsibility of President to James, adding, “Representing the OV Club at school events has been an enormous pleasure over the last two years and an opportunity for which I feel very grateful.

“It has been wonderful to stand amongst the dedicated teachers, many of them Honorary OVs, and the remarkable, inspiring pupils of the King’s School on behalf of a community that itself is full of those who endeavour to make their way through life with hard work and a commitment to that which they value.

“I am delighted to hand over the role to James, someone whom I watched apply himself with diligence and industry to everything he did whilst at King’s and for whom camaraderie and pride in our school, the very essence of the OV Club, is second nature. Best wishes James: Enjoy your time as President!”

Many OVs already know James, either from his time at King’s when he was Head of School, Captain of the 1st XV and a member of the Boat Club, or from his already active support of the School as an OV, including helping current pupils with rugby training days.

Following King’s, James headed to Loughborough University, where he initially read Automotive Engineering for his degree, before securing a First Class Masters in the subject. James is passionate about engineering and is currently Mechanical Engineer at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, working on Formula 1 power units for Mercedes AMG Petronas, Aston Martin Racing, McLaren and Willams Racing.

Despite his heavy workload, particularly during the F1 season, James is committed to his new appointment as OV Club President, adding, “it is truly a great privilege to be taking on the OV presidency, with all that it entails. I hold my years at King’s very close to my heart and look forward to helping to build on the close connection that I and all OVs already feel to the school community.”

We are delighted that James has accepted the role of President of the OV Club!