Remembering a place where 7-words once changed his life, ex-Elizabethan Dean Hollingsworth shares his story for everyone thinking about what to do when they finish school.
“You won’t start learning the valuable stuff until at least 7-years after you’ve left formal education. However, you’ll need as much formal education as you can get, so you’re properly prepared at the right time. Learn the art of good negotiation, always follow your dreams, and create more dreams when you achieve them. Oh - and never stop reading for pleasure.”
Timelash - Back to Elizabeth College
Today you’ll find Dean on a grand stage of Business Intelligence, revealing the narrative behind the numbers where every data point plays a role, every insight earns a spotlight. But let’s take a moment to step away from Electricity HQ and inside a time-travelling phone box to journey back to where it all began for Old Elizabethan Associate, Dean Hollingsworth.
Tackling some of life’s perhaps less creative A-Levels, Maths, Economics and English, Dean’s Elizabeth College tenure also included a spell as a Senior Prefect. But perhaps, like many, his fondest memories are generally those most Prefects wouldn’t approve of.
“My friends and I were once caught recording some sketches on my new cassette recorder, so we were ordered to Mr Roussel, Head of Middle School, for punishment."
"Perhaps he had similar notions of just deserts to that of Miss Trunchbull of ‘Matilda’ fame as, instead of squad or detention – something we’d have much preferred – we had to perform our sketches at the end-of-term concert. And I was “volunteered” for every school play thereafter…"
But in a curious twist of fate, the Vice Principal’s wife later posed a question that altered the course of my life:
“Have you ever considered doing this professionally?”
I hadn’t. But knowing someone believed I could was like a spark to dry tinder, igniting a fire I never knew was there.
Of course, no life-changing series of events can go without thanks, not least to my Elizabeth College teachers Denis Lavin, Ken Fletcher and, of course, Robin Roussel.”
Dean's feature in The Elizabethan magazine, 2025
We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?
Travelling the world in his 30-year Business Intelligence (BI) career, Dean’s highlights include teaching BI to employees at the second-largest company in the world, Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Interestingly - and for very good reason - he’s also attended several Dr Who Conventions…
“After EC, I knew I wanted to be an actor. But I didn’t know how to go about it. So I took a year off to work on various building sites and as a Rec Assistant at Beau Sejour Lisure Centre.
Then I found myself in London as a Stage Door Keeper, Lighting and Sound Operator, before training at The Central School of Speech and Drama. In my final year I was offered a job with an Equity Card, meaning I had to leave a term early.
With 3-months out of work, I realised that if opportunity doesn’t knock, you must build yourself a door. So I did the only sensible thing; I wrote to the BBC asking if I could be a Dalek in Dr Who.
As luck and the courage to face rejection would have it, I got offered my second job, playing an Android in the 5th Dr Who episode “Timelash” – apparently Daleks are too technical a job for actors.
Dean's feature as an Android in Dr Who Timelash
Throwback to Christmas 1987 and any “Casualty” fan may have also spotted me playing Jason, a Tarzan-o-Gram. Or Dr Who enthusiasts in 1988 may not have realised it was a Guernseyman playing the Robot Bus Conductor in “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy”.
If TV favourites aren’t your thing, you’ll be pleased to hear my EC sketch levies paid dividends when I appeared in various UK theatre shows. Then in 1989, I was invited to join Sir Richard Eyre’s first company as Artistic Director of the Royal National Theatre.
Here I enjoyed an appearance in Jacobean comedy “Bartholomew Fair”, and later I toured Dubrovnic, Hong Kong and Tokyo performing in “Hamlet” alongside Daniel Day-Lewis and Dame Judi Dench.
I was also able to give young actors their first professional engagement with an Equity Card when I ran 3 London theatre companies, including Helen Patrick (Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine), Kate Lonergan (Maid Marian in Maid Marian and her Merry Men), and Christopher Eccleston (the 9th Dr Who).
A few clippings from Dean's memories including work alongside Judi Dench and Daniel Day-Lewis
Home. The long way round.
Many students believe they can take only one leap from school into a single career trajectory, with no hope of returning.
For Guernsey students, conversations also often centre around: Do I leave the island? Do I go to Uni and return? Or do I stay and work here?
“I feel I’m testament to dipping your toe in career options when you’re not sure, taking deep dives in far off places when the time feels right, and still returning home to Sarnia Cherie if good reasons exist."
"Travel is the life and career advice I’d give my younger self at EC. And having more faith in my abilities. I’d urge myself to be brave enough to silence the procrastination that tries to trample on our dreams. Why do we throw stones in our own path if the way forward is clear?”
Dean's work today
After travelling the world via some of life’s most exciting career choices, Dean feels lucky to bring his learnings back to his island home.
“The challenges against global warming offer a different kind of spotlight – one where we all have a chance to deliver a performance that resonates on the world stage."
"As a Business Intelligence Developer at Guernsey Electricity, I transform binary figures from the company’s raw data streams into the much-coveted actionable insights that can help positively influence everyday life. From critical Health & Safety reports for dangerous issues, to reviewing tens of thousands of electricity assets that identify when they need upgrading, or modelling financial reports that explore savings which can benefit islanders.
Through BI, I’m hopeful we’ll become even better informed during this exciting point in history where we’re transitioning away from our fossil-fuel past into a cleaner, more sustainable future.
As both an employee and a customer, I know how actions I take impact real lives, and it’s wonderful to work in an industry that every islander is a part of.”
Why not work with us?
Focus your energy on our future.
Our mission at Guernsey Electricity is to welcome everyone and create a fully inclusive workforce supporting the journey to a more sustainable future.
The skills, experience and personalities of our people help play a critical role in powering a more sustainable life here in Guernsey. As one of the largest local employers, we’re offering opportunities to collaborate with people from a host of backgrounds, develop your skills, learn new ones, and explore your career path in a critical, on-island industry.
It’s our team who play a large part in the decarbonisation of island life as the world gradually transitions away from fossil fuels. And we're looking for the right people to join us on this important journey.
