Mark Knowlden grew up in The Weald of Kent and attended Maidstone Grammar School. Initially undertaking a career in Banking and Finance, he worked first with Lloyds Bank, then with J P Morgan Investment Managers in International Fund Management. Following a year in Australia travelling and playing rugby, and also working with a property developing company in Sydney, he returned home to read a degree in Construction Management BSc (Hons) at Coventry University, and has so far had 25 rewarding years in construction, architectural and structural design management. Having run his own construction company in Cheltenham for 12 years he is now working with Knowles and Son, Oxford as Director of Building.Mark settled in West Oxford 13 years ago, and has enjoyed seeing his daughter grow into an Oxford High Girl. Following the loss of his wife, he received nothing but warmth and support from OHS, and now wants to offer something back to the school.