The VOICE of Nick Nielsen, Class of 1994
In this episode of 'What I Really Learnt At School, Alfredian Voices', Old Alfredian Nick Nielsen delves into his formative years at King Alfred School. Reflecting on his journey that began in Reception, Nick shares how his mother's unique background in Brazil and her left-wing views led him to this creative and unconventional educational institution. Despite initial fears, his reception year grew into 13 transformative years that shaped his personal and professional life profoundly. Nick highlights the sense of freedom and encouragement KAS gave him to explore his interests, bridging both Arts and Sciences, a path that eventually led him to Cambridge and then into a fulfilling career in social enterprise.
His close-knit relationships with teachers and peers, the space for individual growth, and the encouragement to take risks are central themes in his narrative. Funny stories from his school days, like sneaking extra milk and ending a recorder lesson early by misstating the time, add a light-hearted touch to his experiences. Now a consultant for social purpose organizations, Nick continues to cherish the values and ethos instilled in him at KAS, which he hopes his own children will equally benefit from. This episode captures Nick's heartfelt gratitude and the lasting impact of his education at King Alfred School.
Creators and Guests
Producer
Heather Roberts
Alumni and Development Officer: Heather has been the Alumni and Development Officer at The King Alfred School since 2020. Having become disillusioned with her career in the fashion industry Heather moved to this role within Development and Alumni Relations, pulling on her transferable skills. Heather credits her ease at engaging with new people and different audiences with having lived overseas for seven years in Moscow, Russia and Bogota, Colombia. As a self-confessed nosey person who likes a good natter, the Alfredian Voices podcast has been the dream project for Heather to work on.
Guest
Nick Nielsen
I am an entrepreneur, trainer, and coach with a deep interest in what enables individuals, teams, and organisations to be both effective and fulfilled. My career has been shaped by a commitment to social impact, innovation, and leadership development. I began my journey, like many, with a passion for making a difference. Working in consultancy and the non-profit sector, I quickly realised that at the core of every social and environmental challenge lies a people challenge—how we collaborate, communicate, and lead change. In 2000, I co-founded Envision, a youth empowerment charity dedicated to equipping young people with leadership skills through social action. Under my leadership, Envision expanded to engage thousands of young people annually across four regional offices and was recognised with the Guardian Charity Award for its impact. With a long-standing passion for facilitating meaningful change, I transitioned into coaching and leadership development in 2004, founding Reality, where I have worked with individuals and organisations across the private, public, and voluntary sectors. Building on this expertise, I later co-founded Izwe, a technology enterprise dedicated to helping governments enhance citizen engagement through digital innovation and culture change. I am currently a Director at The Social Change Agency and Osca, where I continue to work at the intersection of leadership, systems change, and social impact. My passion remains constant: empowering people—through understanding, challenge, inspiration, and development—to realise their potential and drive meaningful change. I am also a recipient of the Shackleton Foundation Leadership Award.
Producer
Tamlyn Worrall
Development & Alumni Relations Director: As a consummate professional in the Alumni Relations and Development space, Tamlyn brings years of experience to cultivating relationships with our Old Alfredians. With a footprint in South Africa, Australia, and Japan, Tamlyn proudly calls London home, and it’s here that she’s developed her career in the education sector. At the heart of what she does, Tamlyn loves connecting with and learning about our OAs. She approaches every conversation with a sincere curiosity and warmth, finding herself fascinated by the details of every story. This podcast series was a germ of an idea in 2020 and thanks to a fabulous podcast editor we have finally been able to bring these Old Alfredian stories to a wider audience.
