David Stead, previously a CEO for a top legal firm and Commercial Director and Strategy Consultant in professional services, the charity sector and investment banking, joins CATS Global Schools as Chair of the newly formed Creative Commerce Board for CATS London, the group’s international high school in the heart of the UK’s capital.
Now a non-executive director, David supports various organisations as an adviser and board trustee. David is passionate about helping ethical organisations succeed through robust strategy, innovation, impact, and performance.
David studied Sustainable Business at Harvard University, Social Finance at Oxford University, has an MBA from IESE Business School, and a Finance degree from Cass Business School (now Bayes).
“I’m delighted to welcome David to lead the Board and work with the school’s leadership team to offer new opportunities to our young people.”
Chris Stacey
CEO, CATS Global Schools
In his role as chair of the Creative Commerce Board, David overseas the Board’s composition, activities, and contribution of its members.
The Board aims to help CATS London realise its visions of creating tomorrow’s changemakers and brings varied insight into career opportunities that young people can explore today.
Comprising five members, the Board will collaborate with the school’s leadership team to provide opportunities beyond the classroom, offering insight, project support, advice, and guidance. Typical activities will include visits to arts and enterprise businesses, presentations from leading professionals, and one-to-one advice and coaching to encourage students to contribute positively to society in the future.
CATS London has a reputation for pioneering the student experience for university and the world of work. For example, it was the first high school in Europe to open a Bloomberg Business Lab, offering access to a Bloomberg Terminal, the tool used by financial professionals and traders worldwide.
The school also encourages its young people to make a positive impact on society through activities such as the student council, where among other things, they work together to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
James Slocombe, Principal of CATS London, adds:
“With the Board members’ knowledge, experience and connections, we can provide more opportunities to inspire our young people to consider careers they may not have thought of.
“While some students have their career path mapped out, others want to explore their options.
“I’m a great believer that rather than asking students ‘what do you want to be?’, I ask ‘what questions do you want to answer?’ I’ve had students provide a variety of answers from “how do I effectively remove CO2 from the atmosphere?” to “how do I become rich?!”
Talking about his appointment, David says:
“I am thrilled to join CATS London to help drive this exciting new initiative for students.
“We have a diverse and high calibre team, and we are all committed to finding stimulating opportunities to help the students learn more about the world of work, business and the skills needed to thrive in the future.
“I know from my own experience how useful it is to meet people from outside academia to help inform personal choices about further study and career options.”
Other Creative Commerce Board Members:
- David Rogers, an executive director from UBS
- Iris Efthymiou, a founder and thought leader in Human Intelligence and honing soft skills
- James Middleton, a start-up manager with a myriad of experiences of developing successful start-up companies in technology and finance
- Heer Baxi, a product leader in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), who recently graduated from a US University and an international school and is keen to pass on knowledge and experience.
The Creative Commerce Board will meet students in September and launch the Incubator Challenge, to encourage enterprise and innovation.
If you’d like to join the Creative Commerce Board and play a part in inspiring the next generation of world shapers aged 14+, please get in touch with CATS London Principal, James Slocombe, jslocombe@catslondon.com
