Last month we were delighted to welcome Rebecca Merrett to Malvern College as the Malvernian Society’s new Advancement Director. With a global background in education and communications, Rebecca brings energy, warmth, and a bold vision to this vital role. In this Q&A, she shares her first impressions of Malvern and her aspirations for the Society.
Tell us a little about your background.
I studied law at university but was quickly drawn to journalism – partly thanks to an eye-opening course on mining law and economics in Western Australia! As a rookie reporter, I was based in Beirut, before moving to Hong Kong where I joined the British Government as Press Attaché just after the Handover. It was an extraordinary time to be there.
My move into education came when my children’s primary school was looking to open a new campus, and I volunteered to help with the bid proposal. I loved it and have been in education management ever since.
What brought you to Malvern College?
I have had the good fortune to work with a range of independent and international schools around the world, so I knew exactly what I was looking for: a school with strong values, a local legacy, and a global outlook. Malvern ticked every box. Its international footprint, with eight schools globally, was a real draw, especially after 30 years of living overseas. I’ve seen how powerful it is when young people grow up with a global mindset and a strong network like the Malvernian community.
What have you enjoyed about joining the Malvernian Society?
It has been an absolute joy to join the Malvernian Society where I have an incredible team that live the values of this school. They are all Malvern ‘Role Models’: professional, hardworking, funny, welcoming, and truly committed to supporting OMs and to raising the funds to enable us to offer a Malvern education to thoroughly deserving children.
Most importantly, given how new I am to the UK and Malvern, everyone has been so generous in sharing their time and experiences with me. Whether it’s finding the best pub for lunch, their favourite hike or finding my way around the campus (it is very easy to get lost!), my team has been amazing. I have felt incredibly welcomed.
What do you think makes the Malvernian community unique?
It is the blend of tradition and forward-thinking. You’ll meet OMs from the 1940s and 2020s, and the common threads are always warmth, humour, and generosity of spirit. Whether it is mentoring, philanthropy, or simply cheering on from the sidelines, Malvernians continually show up for each other.
What has been your most memorable moment at Malvern so far?
There are many, but one that stands out is a phone call I took from an OM who left here in 1949, asking about our archives. It turned into a lovely, unexpected chat that completely made my day. These kinds of connections are what makes Malvern so special.
Another highlight was our recent trip to Hong Kong, after a five-year absence. It was fabulous to meet the staff and pupils from our school there, and to host a reception for 100 current and former families and OMs. I loved the energy in the room and watching alumni from different decades swap stories reminded me why our global network is such an asset.
How can alumni make a meaningful difference in the life of Malvern College today?
In more ways than you might imagine. Malvern’s 160-year story isn’t just about tradition – it’s about people. The College we know today exists because generations of Old Malvernians and their families have given back: their time, their expertise, and their generosity.
Projects like the new Sixth Form Centre in the Memorial Library, the cutting-edge Science Centre, and the beautifully redeveloped Rogers Theatre only became reality thanks to the support of our alumni community. And every time a bursary pupil completed their education with us, it is a powerful reminder of how life-changing that support can be.
And our alumni involvement is not just about donations – it’s about connection. Mentoring pupils, giving careers talks, attending events, sharing stories – it all matters. I often say we are not just planning for today’s pupils, but for those who will walk these halls long after we’ve gone. And the foundations we lay now are built with the help of our alumni community.
Whether you are near or far, newly graduated, or long retired, your voice, your experience, and your philanthropy can help shape the future of Malvern College. I always enjoy talking with people about the impact of their gifts and I am very proud of the work my team does to create these opportunities and strengthen relationships with the Malvernian community.
Are there any upcoming initiatives or events coming up that you are particularly excited about?
What is not coming up? Wherever you live, whatever your age or interest we will have an event or activity for you in the year ahead, and we really encourage you to get involved. We love welcoming OMs back to the College, as much as we enjoy meeting our Malvernian community overseas. It is also lovely to see how many of our OMs are involved with the numerous alumni clubs and societies on offer – from golf to cricket, fly fishing to netball, there is something for everyone and I am looking forward to encouraging even more to get involved. We proudly say that once you join Malvern College, you are a Malvernian for life, and I see examples of this every day. View the Malvernian Society calendar of events
Have you had a chance to explore the Malvern Hills or any favourite local spots yet?
A few! I have been getting local recommendations from the team, who have been very helpful (and opinionated!) on the best lunch pubs and hiking trails. I’m still discovering the area, but there’s something magical about being surrounded by this landscape. I find the beauty of the College so breathtaking that I sometimes just wander out of my office to soak it all in. I am thinking of investing in a deck chair and taking my laptop out onto the Senior Turf!
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I took up rock climbing in my late forties and it has been completely transformative. I’m still an average climber, but the sense of achievement has been profound. I am a big believer in the value of sport for women of all ages and am a walking example that you don’t need to be sporty to enjoy sport – and it is never too late to start.
I am also a keen cricket fan. For someone with a rather hyperactive mindset, I can watch every ball of a five-day test match. I look forward to meeting as many OMs possible on the boundary of the Senior Turf – come say hello!
Rebecca can be reached at: [email protected] or +44 (0)7584 228150.
Appreciation of life with the chance to contribute, 1948-52 – found in No1 with ‘Basher’ Wilson. Always positive. Never forgotten – how to play the game and run the Ledder!