Pippa joined BGS for Sixth Form and made such an impression in her first year that she was appointed one of two Deputy Heads of School in her final year. She was known for her exceptional acting and directing talents and was awarded Creative Arts Scholar of her year.  After leaving BGS, Pippa went on to study Journalism at the University of Leeds and has never looked back. 

Now affectionately known as ‘Producer Pippa’ on Sam Thompson (Made in Chelsea) and Pete Wicks’ (The Only Way is Essex) hit podcast Staying Relevant, she plays a vital role in their much-loved comedic duo.

⁠What are your best memories of BGS?

I pretty much lived in The 1532, so many of my best memories were made there. At one point, I think I was involved in four different plays alongside my A Levels! I still can’t believe how lucky we were to have such incredible facilities, and it really allowed me to explore my passion for Drama and the Performing Arts.

I also loved the House competitions - House Singing, House Drama and, of course, Sports Day. They were always so much fun and really brought everyone together. Big up Edwards (the blue house… assuming it hasn’t changed, which would make me feel very old!).

Can you remember any teachers at BGS who had an impact on you?

A special shout-out has to go to Mrs Biggin, who felt like a second mum to me. She pushed us to work our hardest while always being incredibly kind, gentle and fun. She also helped me achieve an A* in Business Studies - which was definitely not my strongest subject - so some may call her a miracle worker!

I also loved the Drama department with Mrs Walker and Mr Mackenzie. They encouraged us to be creative, explore our ideas and supported us every step of the way. Whenever I saw double drama on my timetable, I knew it was going to be a great day.

I also have to mention Mr Hartford and Miss Hicks, who always stopped for a chinwag - and I really do love a chat. By the end of Sixth Form, many of my teachers felt like friends as well.

⁠Why did you choose radio?

I arrived at university convinced I wanted to work in television, but once I got there, I quickly realised it wasn’t for me. I tried student radio instead and completely fell in love with it. The industry is incredibly fast-paced and fun. 

Radio is also such an intimate medium - there’s something really special about a presenter speaking directly to a listener, rather than catering to the masses.

⁠Could you have chosen another path?

I always wanted to be an actress and was convinced I’d go to drama school, but I pivoted at the last minute and never even applied! I feel very lucky that I still get to use my performing background in my career now. Working in the media has given me the perfect balance of excitement and connection that I was looking for.

What has been the most significant highlight of your career?

Selling out the O2 last year with our live podcast show Staying Relevant: One Night Only is definitely a career highlight. Walking out onto a stage in front of a full O2 arena is something I’ll never forget.

Working in audio, you don’t often get to actually see your audience, so it felt pretty surreal. My dad, also an OB, said something backstage that really stuck with me. He looked around at 17,000 people laughing, dancing and smiling and realised what the podcast is really about - giving people a bit of escapism. In today’s world, that feels like a pretty cool thing to call work.

What is the best thing about working life?

I love my team. There are only six of us, but we’re like a little family and the boys genuinely feel like older brothers to me. I laugh every single day at work. I always wanted a job tha, as cliché as it sounds, made me look forward to Mondays.

What’s next for you?

We’ve just launched another podcast under Staying Relevant Productions, which feels like a huge step. We’re working on lots of exciting projects behind the scenes that go far beyond podcasting as we continue to establish ourselves as a full production company. We’ll also be heading back out on tour this year!

What motivates you?

I’ve never been particularly motivated by money - I’m much more driven by having fun and enjoying myself. I wanted a career filled with experiences I can look back on one day. My mum always told me to make sure I enjoy my work over everything else and I was lucky enough to have her full support in every move I made.

Working in entertainment and bringing a smile to people’s faces is incredibly rewarding. We often receive messages from listeners who are going through difficult times, and knowing that a silly podcast episode helped them smile, even briefly, feels really special. 

⁠How do you relax?

At the moment, I’m loving eating dinner on the sofa watching The Traitors with my boyfriend! Work can be very fast-paced, so I make sure to carve out proper downtime.

I love running and I’m currently training for a half marathon - I think it’s really important to have hobbies unrelated to work so that your career doesn’t become your life.

I’m also dog-obsessed and love spending time with our family dog, Pixie. I’m constantly on FaceTime or sending voice notes to friends and family - sometimes a good chat is all you need. I also love spending time with my best friend from BGS, who now teaches at the school (you may know her as Miss Emery!), and I always read before bed to properly switch off.

⁠What advice would you give to your younger self?

I worried a lot when I was younger and was a bit of a perfectionist. While being driven is important, I’d tell myself to take a breath and trust the process - what’s meant for you will always find you. I’d also remind myself not to be afraid to follow up… especially when it turns out you did get the Radio X job, but the offer went to the wrong email address! 

Most importantly, enjoy the journey - it’s a wild ride, and you’ll look back one day with a big smile.