Kevin Aitchison 1977 to 1984

In 1977, former St Fidelis, Erith, pupil Kevin Aitchison joined St Mary’s, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Richard (Dick), who started in 1975. Aitchison junior was a diligent student and, though not a natural sportsman, was a whole-hearted and committed rugby player who cemented his place in the year team and would become a regular throughout his time at the school, winning colours and playing an important role in the side that won the Kent Schools Sevens tournament in 1984. After leaving St Mary’s, he studied Building Surveying at Reading University and between 1987 and 2000, worked as a project manager for Cluttons Chartered Surveyors before changing direction and moving into real Estate Investment Management. In 2008, he became CEO of the UK business of ING Real Estate Investment Management (ING REIM), at that time part of the largest global real estate investment manager. In 2012, became CEO of Knight Frank Investment Management LLP, an embryonic real estate investment management business owned by Knight Frank. He met his wife, Sam, on holiday in the late 1980s and the couple were married in 1991 and have three children. A Harlequins season ticket holder, Aitchison was for ten years Chair of GB Wheelchair Rugby. He was honoured for his services to the sport with an MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List. Reflecting on his time at St Mary’s, he says: “The biggest thing I took out of St Mary’s was my friendships. Friends that, to this day, some 44 years after I joined St Mary’s, remain unbelievably close. Friendships that I genuinely expect to last for the rest of my days – for that I will always be grateful.”

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