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Alleyn’s School 
A packed audience gathered in The MCT on Thursday 14 May for the 2026 Edward Alleyn Lecture, an event defined by energy, insight and a powerful sense of shared purpose.
Chaired by Head Jane Lunnon, the lecture brought together an outstanding panel of alumni speakers: Dr Greta McLachlan (Tyson’s 2002), NHS surgeon and equality campaigner; Charlie Dark MBE (Cribb’s 1989), poet, DJ and founder of Run Dem Crew; Aisha Bywaters (Brown’s 2002), double BAFTA-winning casting director; and Lucy Hough (Brading’s 2008), journalist and presenter for The Guardian. The panel was completed by Alleyn’s Chair of Governors, former Sky COO and advocate for diversity and economic inclusion, Chris Stylianou OBE.
From the outset, the tone was lively, candid and deeply engaging. Exploring the theme Challenging the Status Quo, the panel drew on their varied experiences to reflect on what drives change and how individuals can use their voice with courage and conviction. And, in the year that Alleyn’s celebrates 50 years of co-education, the contributions of this co-ed panel were typically inspiring, humorous and, at times, deeply moving.
Across the evening, common threads quickly emerged. Chris Stylianou reflected on his 26-year career at Sky, where he developed a determination to challenge systems and “try to do something better every day”. He emphasised the importance of curiosity, resilience and bringing people with you, and spoke powerfully about encouraging young people to try things, to fail often, and to learn that making mistakes is both necessary and survivable.
Dr Greta McLachlan brought both urgency and clarity to the conversation, describing how the desire to confront injustice can provoke action. She spoke of “rage” as a motivating force when channelled constructively, and memorably challenged accepted norms with the observation that “tradition is just peer pressure from dead people”. Reflecting on her upbringing and education, she emphasised the responsibility to speak up when something is not right, while also highlighting the importance of strategy, teamwork and understanding different perspectives when seeking to create change.
For Lucy Hough, the discussion centred on the evolving media landscape and the increasing importance of adaptability, as well as the opportunities and challenges posed by short-form digital content. She highlighted the growing demand for young voices in journalism, particularly as audiences shift towards new platforms. Recounting her work at The Guardian, she described the initial resistance to bringing experienced print journalists on to camera, and how doing so has ultimately enabled their reporting to reach far wider audiences.
Charlie Dark expanded the conversation around storytelling, agreeing that it can be a powerful force for change, but cautioning that stories must remain grounded in truth. In an age where narratives can spread rapidly, he warned against the risks of misinformation and omission. Drawing on his own experience, including his time in the CCF at Alleyn’s, he spoke about the importance of community, belonging and having the confidence to “stand out from the crowd” without embarrassment.
Aisha Bywaters offered a compelling perspective from the creative industries, speaking passionately about representation and the need to open doors for others. She reflected on the role of storytelling in building empathy, while also expressing concern that storytelling itself is under threat in a fast-paced, fragmented media environment. Her powerful response to a question on challenging racism resonated deeply, as she reminded students that they do not need to “be the end” of change, but can instead be its beginning. She also shared her personal approach to growth, choosing projects that challenge and even intimidate her, driven by the belief that real satisfaction lies in achieving what once felt beyond reach.
The discussion also explored how change happens in practice. When asked about strategy, Dr McLachlan spoke about the importance of understanding your audience and conducting a “pre-mortem" to anticipate obstacles. Aisha highlighted the power of communication, transparency and vulnerability in leadership, while Chris returned to the importance of resilience, noting that for today’s young people, there may be no fixed status quo at all.
Questions from the audience, including pupils from Alleyn’s and partner schools across the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership, brought further depth to the discussion. Their reflections ensured that the conversation remained grounded in the experiences and aspirations of the next generation.
Throughout the evening, the panel’s warmth and openness created a genuine sense of connection. Charlie Dark captured this spirit when responding to a question about leadership, emphasising the importance of leading by example and earning trust. “If I do well, we do well, we all do well together,” he said, likening success to a shared experience rather than an individual achievement, and using the analogy of being alone in a VIP room.
Closing the evening, Jane Lunnon reflected on the hope and inspiration generated by the discussion. Acknowledging that self-doubt is a constant companion, even in leadership, she reminded the audience that courage lies not in certainty but in action: we may never feel entirely ready, but we do it anyway. Above all, she emphasised a message that resonated throughout the evening: “We can make change in our spaces, in our areas, in our lives.”
The lecture was remarkable for the calibre of its speakers and for the remarkable energy they brought to the room. Above all, it was a celebration of the strength, diversity and generosity of Alleyn’s alumni, and a powerful reminder of the impact they continue to make. We are incredibly grateful to Chris, Aisha, Charlie, Greta and Lucy for sharing their thoughts and wisdom.
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Myrtle the Goat: A Much‑Loved Mascot of Alleyn’s CCF")
