This year we are pleased to welcome three new members to the Johnian Society Committee. The new members will be Dr Anthony Freeling (1975), who is the new Vice-President of the Society, Bhanu Balusu (2018) and Charley Roberts (2015). This year will also see Nigel Topping (1985) taking over as the Presidency from Mark Wells (1981) who will become Past President. We also say goodbye and thank you to Annamarie Phelps (1984) and Emma Grainger (2006) who will be stepping down from the committee.
Read on to find out more about our newest committee members:
Anthony Freeling (1975)
Anthony read Mathematics at St John’s, followed by an MPhil and PhD in Management Studies. He was Secretary of the JCR and President of the SBR. He is now an Honorary Fellow of the College.
Anthony acted as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 2022/23. He is the Former President of Hughes Hall, Cambridge and was previously a member of the Council of the Open University. He researches business strategy and marketing and published a book on Agile Marketing. He is a trustee of PHG Foundation.
Anthony’s business career was in strategy, marketing and consulting, first at Mars Foods and then at McKinsey & Company, where he was a Senior Partner. He was Director of Ashridge Strategic Management Centre, the Research Director of the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Councils for Europe and Asia, and on the Board of UnLtd – the largest supporter of social entrepreneurs in the UK.
Bhanu Balusu (2018)
Bhanu read Engineering from 2018 to 2022, specialising in information and control engineering. Arriving as an international student, Bhanu was involved in many facets of College life. He enjoyed playing rugby with the Redboys and spent many leisurely hours throwing frisbees on the backs. He also served on the JCR Committee as the International Students’ Officer, which was a uniquely challenging experience during the pandemic. Having graduated, he went travelling through Latin America with a fellow Redboy. After the excitement and carefree months spent learning and gathering experiences, Bhanu now works in Sales and Trading in London. In his free time, Bhanu enjoys playing tennis and snooker, and meeting up with fellow Johnian friends.
Charley Roberts (2015)
Charley studied Geography at St John’s, with an interest in environmental change and biodiversity loss. Since leaving Charley has built on this to pursue a career in climate change policy, with policy and campaigns roles at WWF UK, consultancies and currently with thinktank E3G, where she focuses on the global fossil fuel transition.
While at St John’s Charley enjoyed playing netball, both with the women’s and mixed team, while also rowing for LMBC in first year. She also held the position of President of the Purchas Society for geographers and land economists, supporting events across year groups and subjects.
