OLD boy John Derbyshire gave the 46th annual Tillotson Lecture at Bolton School boys’ division.

His involvement with the Royal Yachting Association British Sailing Team spans 32 years as a coach, Olympic Manager and Director of Racing. John took centre stage to reflect on his career, provide insight into Olympic sailing and explain how Great Britain became one of the best sailing nations in the world. His interest in the sport was sparked while he was a pupil between 1963 and 1974.

He briefly went into teaching. But in 1984 he had the opportunity to work at the National Sailing Centre as a coach, and from there became an Olympic coach.