SIMON FARNSWORTH, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER AT ITV, LAUNCHES REPTON SCHOOL'S SPEAKER SERIES

On Friday 3rd October, Repton School was delighted to welcome Simon Farnsworth, Chief Technical Officer at ITV, as the inaugural speaker in Repton’s new Speaker Series. 

Around 150 Sixth Form pupils attended the event, following a stimulating dinner with seven pupils from O Block to the Upper Sixth, who proved excellent company as they discussed Mr Farnsworth’s career and insights into the media and technology industries.

Over dinner, Mr Farnsworth spoke about highlights from his distinguished career, including his leadership in broadcasting multiple Olympic Games. He described the extraordinary logistical challenge of coordinating 48 simultaneous live feeds from events across the globe and discussed the complexities of planning coverage for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, where time zone differences will test even the most experienced production teams.

In his address, Mr Farnsworth reflected on the evolving role of AI in media, the need for journalistic integrity when handling sensitive stories such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and how ITV is adapting to engage younger audiences through short-form content on platforms like YouTube. He also spoke candidly about balancing professional ambition with family life and the crucial importance of maintaining perspective in a high-pressure industry, balancing responsibility against financial output.

Mr Farnsworth encouraged pupils to limit screen time and to make the most of Repton’s exceptional opportunities to develop soft skills through sport, music, drama, and the many academic clubs and societies that enrich school life. His message underscored our sense of balance in ensuring pupils develop the values of communication, collaboration, and creativity beyond the classroom.

The evening concluded with a lively question-and-answer session in which pupils asked thoughtful questions about succeeding in business, managing challenging situations, and the future of global technology.

Repton is grateful to Mr Farnsworth for his time and insight, and we look forward to the next instalment of the Speaker Series in the Lent term.

Find out more about careers support at Repton here.