Reuniting on the banks of the Thames for the Class of 2016

Picture this: the definitive London evening. Drinks by the river, with the sun setting behind Tower Bridge and casting a picture-perfect pink hue across the sky. The city is alive with the hustle and bustle of commuters making their way home, many stopping to enjoy a well-earned drink and unwind after a busy day.

The aroma of incredible food drifts from the many fantastic restaurants and food spots around London Bridge, offering the perfect excuse to stay a little longer. Colleagues gather over a pint, conversations flow, and the formality of the boardroom gives way to something far more sociable.

This is London at its best: a vibrant riverside atmosphere, great food and drink, and the chance to connect with people beyond the confines of the working day. Because sometimes, the best business conversations don't happen around a boardroom table, but over a drink, with Tower Bridge as the backdrop.

On Thursday evening, our former classmates gathered with us at the Founders’ Arms on Bankside. St Paul’s Cathedral illuminated the skyline behind us, while drinks sat chilling in buckets, ready to be poured. As guests arrived, they greeted one another with beaming smiles, warm embraces and the kind of effortless familiarity that comes from years of shared history.

It was lovely to hear about some of the stories that have shaped our former pupils. Sam Brill (RGS 2009-2016) has found his journey take him to Dubai, whilst Haydn Culverwell (RGS 2009-2016) is navigating the business landscape with the launch of his own company, Mulligans - Vinted for golf. 

It was a lovely moment to witness: people reconnecting, picking up conversations and rediscovering the friendships that began decades ago. There is something quite special about school ties. Wherever life takes us, whatever paths we follow and whatever we go on to achieve, there remains a bond that brings us back to where it all began.

We have witnessed this scene several times over the past two weeks. Last week’s Silver Reunion was quickly followed by the 40-year reunion for the Classes of 1985 and 1986. Despite the many years that have passed, the excitement was electric (and not just because of the vast amounts of neon and glow sticks at the 80s reunion). Everyone seemed delighted to be back in the company of the very first group of friends they chose outside their own families.

Perhaps that is the enduring magic of a school reunion. For a few precious hours, the years seem to fall away. We are reminded not just of who we were, but of the people who helped shape who we have become. And in the laughter, the stories and the familiar faces, we discover that some bonds never really fade.

If you’d love to bring your classmates back together and relive those special memories, we’d love to hear from you!

Whether you’re planning a milestone reunion or simply looking for an excuse to reconnect, we’d be delighted to help bring everyone together again. After all, some friendships are simply too special not to celebrate.

Get in touch, and let’s make your reunion one to remember!