We are delighted to announce the appointment of Clare Francis (OS 1994) as Old Stopfordian President.  Clare’s term of office is from March 2021 until March 2023, and comes following the conclusion of Graham Earles’s (OS 1983) term as President on Founder’s Day, 19th March 2021.

Clare is Savings and Investments Director at Barclays and a Board Trustee for the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute.  Her background is in financial journalism with over 15 years’ experience covering consumer finance.

Clare tells us: “I’m really looking forward to being the Old Stopfordian President and getting closer to the school again. I have some great memories of my time and while a lot has undoubtedly changed, I’m sure some things are still the same. And hopefully, we’ll be able to resume some of the face-to-face events soon so I can meet people and catch up with some of those from the past. That said, I think the virtual connections we’ve all become used to over the past 12 months or so, open up new opportunities in terms of re-connecting and building links with former pupils as physical location is no longer an obstacle.”​

Clare started her career at The Times in 1999. She moved to the Independent on Sunday where she was Deputy Personal Finance Editor and then became Assistant Money Editor at the Sunday Times.  Before joining Barclays, Clare was Editor-in-Chief and Head of Consumer Affairs at MoneySuperMarket. She was one of MoneySuperMarket’s main spokespeople, regularly appearing on TV and radio as a consumer finance expert.

Clare has contributed in recent years to the Stopfordian community; sharing her expertise in school with pupils, at a London Old Stops’ event and via the Stopfordian Committee.

Clare and the External Relations Team look forward to helping Old Stopfordians’ reconnect with each other and with the school.  If you would like to be reconnected please get in touch with us on 0161 419 2408 or email externalrelations@stockportgrammar.co.uk.  We look forward to hearing from you.