We are delighted to share the success of Rydal Penrhos’ latest ‘Lunch With…’ event, featuring businessperson David Evans, Director of Dylan’s.
Rydal Penrhos has a longstanding commitment to providing excellent careers and life education. From a diverse and thriving PHSE curriculum to an extensive UCAS and work advice service, led by long-time member of staff Mr Farnell, our pupils have access to the kind of knowledge that can help them make the right decisions in these early moments of their lives.
The ‘Lunch With…’ series is a new initiative for this year designed to introduce our children and young people to a range of interesting and talented people from all walks of life. We hope that, especially during a tough exam season, these events can help motivate and inspire Rydal Penrhos pupils with an awareness of the opportunities and pathways available to them.
After enjoying some fantastic pizza made especially by our Catering Team, led by Mr Jonathan Stubbs, pupils from Years 10 to 13 listened intently as David recapped his successful career in business, which spans over forty years.
He began with his time in New York in the mid-1980s, where he noted the emerging streetwear fashion trends that were taking hold that side of the pond, which inspired him to bring those styles back home to the UK and set up the fashion brands Hooch and Bench.
When Hooch and Bench were sold in 2001, David’s plans to retire quickly went on the backburner as he set up a new property company, which he then went on to sell in 2011. That year, he started work on Dylan’s (named after his youngest son) with his business partner and lifelong friend Robin.
David explained to our pupils that none of the businesses he had been involved with were pre-planned and had rather grown organically over time. Although there had been many challenges involved in growing his businesses, David said that he always believed there was a way to move forward and subsequently never gave up; an attitude that we try to instil in our children and young people as they work towards their goals.
We would like to thank David for taking the time to speak to our pupils. His long career in business contains many valuable lessons that will be of great use for our young people just starting out in life.
We look forward to hosting further ‘Lunch With…’ events in the autumn when a new academic year begins!
