King's in the Family: Making history with the Woodhouse family

A vibrant academic community

Mark chose King’s due to our world-leading History Department. His former school Deputy Head was married to Professor Diana Webb, a Senior Lecturer in our History Department at the time, and they regularly spoke of the upsides of a King’s education.

‘The opportunity to be part of a vibrant academic community at the centre of the international crossroads of the world was a compelling proposition for someone like me, who hadn’t seen much of the world,’ Mark said.

Seb was also drawn to King’s academic excellence and the opportunity to study in ‘one of the best cities in the world, where there’s always something to see, learn or experience.’

As a geography alum, William appreciated the interdisciplinary nature of King’s. ‘I enjoyed learning about how states interact with each other on issues revolving around conflicts and border disputes,’ he recalled.

Life beyond the lecture halls

The Woodhouses enjoyed immersing themselves in all that King’s and London had to offer, from the theatre to the rugby field.

Mark has fond memories of ‘darting into theatreland with friends after the last lecture to watch the latest show hitting the headlines.’ Other highlights included hearing from distinguished speakers, from Tony Benn to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

William, too, was enthused by the sights and sounds of London, noting that ‘there was a lot to do without ever getting bored.’

Seb played for Guy’s Hospital Rugby Club (the world’s oldest rugby club), where he formed life-long friendships. ‘Many of my closest friends from King’s continue to inspire and guide me today,’ he told us.

From London to across the world

Seb’s rugby prowess and academic interests came in handy post-King’s. After a master’s at the University of Edinburgh, he travelled to Ghana to work for a small charity. He took on a variety of exciting projects, from setting up waste and solar management systems to coaching the Ghana Under-19 National Rugby League squad. Seb has since returned to the UK and works as a Coordinator for Sustainable Living at a non-governmental organisation.

Meanwhile, William is mapping out a career in cartography. Having completed his master’s, he now works for the UK Hydrographic Office. This is a world-leading organisation which maps the seabeds of the oceans globally.

After graduating, Mark assisted a Group CEO of a global insurance company, before moving into strategy consultancy based in the USA and the UK.

Mark then pursued a career in the executive search industry and has been advising boardrooms across the world ever since. This gave him the chance to travel the globe. ‘I often saw myself as the Alan Whicker of the headhunting world’, he joked. In 2021, he founded Drummond Board Advisory, advising company Chairs and CEOs on board succession and effectiveness. Alongside this, Mark mentors leadership teams and start-ups on both sides of the Atlantic. This ranges from supporting companies that are developing AI, 3D printing and robotic capabilities through to helping perfume and sustainable floral foam platforms expand their reach.

Life lessons at King’s

‘King’s instilled in me an inner confidence and an ability to get comfortable with unfamiliar surroundings,’ Mark reflected. ‘I learnt to expect the unexpected.’

For Seb, King’s strength lies in its diversity. ‘I learnt to listen, understand and respect people’s challenges and perspectives,’ he said.

‘King’s allowed me to act independently and continue to appreciate why geographical studies are essential for understanding how societies operate,’ remarked William on the impact of his degree.

Keeping the King’s legacy alive

Keen to give back to King’s, Mark founded the Mark Woodhouse Bursary for Modern History. Launched in 2015, the £3,000 bursary unlocks much-needed financial support for talented students from all over the world.

On the inspiration behind his generous gift, Mark explained: ‘I was fortunate to receive a bursary in my final year at King’s. At the time, I didn’t have two pennies to rub together. A luxury for me was a pint on a Friday night, followed by a doner kebab with extra chilli sauce!

‘This motivated me to give back. It’s too easy to do nothing. By contributing, we are all helping keep the legacy alive and supporting others to complete their own journey.’

Read more stories from families with a King’s connection:

• King's in the Family: Keeping the Khan family legacy alive at King's | Feature from King's College London (kcl.ac.uk)
• Dentistry in the DNA | InTouch Online - InTouch Magazine (kcl.ac.uk)