AGS Alumni | Laurence Bishop
Name: Laurence Bishop
Left Acklam Grange: 1990
Current position: Head of Business Development, Deputy Director
Current Employer: ApconiX
What was your experience at Acklam Grange like?
Overall, I had a very good experience at Acklam Grange. The school had only become AGS two years before I started and still had a bit of the Stainsby feel to it but it was starting to become its own school. Most of the people I was at school with were great as were the staff.
Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share?
Mr Geoff Taylor’s walking weekends and The Cleveland Hike. Geoff was our history teacher but he started to run Youth Hostelling weekends in the Lake District and upper Teesdale. A few of us were good at navigating and Geoff entered us as teams of three into the Cleveland Hike. This is a two day walking/running and camping competition each year. We did the first when we were 13 and the last one we did aged 17 and won!
What person, class or experience most influenced you?
Aside from Mr Taylor (who in addition of the above trips, also subliminally guided me to become very organized) the Science Department was very influential. Mrs Cutland (Biology), Mr Chapman (Physics) and Mr Shevels (Chemistry). I just loved science practicals.
How did your education at AGS prepare you for your career?
I think I got a very good, rounded education at AGS. The biology and chemistry was my real passion but the other subjects I did complemented these.
What has your career path been like? How did you get to where you are?
I went straight onto Acklam Sixth Form to do A levels in biology, chemistry, physics and A/S maths. My maths class was in Acklam hall and is now part of the Tomahawk steak restaurant. By that time, I actually wanted to study dentistry at University but found A levels really hard compared to GCSEs. I didn’t do well first attempt at A levels so did a third year and got A’s, Bs and Cs. I didn’t do dentistry though and went to study Chemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool. University was brilliant and after three years I was offered a funded PhD researching and developing new anti malarial drugs. I left Liverpool with a PhD and went straight into the medical research industry. I have been working for 25 years now and our company is a consultancy and ion channel lab, working with big pharma and biotech companies to develop safer medicines.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Throughout my 25 year career I have (almost) always worked with professional but kind and fun people. In my current role, I don’t really have to answer to anyone other than getting the job done. Each day I speak with companies on the cutting edge of medicine, with technologies ranging from small molecules to gene therapies and new cancer drugs using anthrax as a delivery mechanism. I’m also really lucky in that I get to travel with work. I love travel and meeting new people. The schedule can be gruelling but I do often get to see a bit of the city or country I’m visiting.
What advice would you give to current Acklam Grange students about their future?
Take any and every opportunity you get at work and in life. Try new things. Have an open mind. You don’t need to be over the top but if you are happy and positive more opportunities will come your way. Work hard and be positive in what you do but also remember it’s not all about your grades. Do non-academic things like the Duke of Edinburgh award, or just travel. You don’t have to go abroad and spend a lot of money to travel. Become an interesting person without being all about yourself. Volunteer. Work with younger people – you can learn such a lot from them and them from you.
If you’re a former student of Acklam Grange School and want to share your story, get in touch via the details below.
Miss S Winter
Careers Advisor
01642 277700
winter.s@acklamgrange.org.uk