Stonyhurst College appoints Goldman Sachs' Stephen Withnell

Stonyhurst College has appointed Stephen Withnell as director of strategic development.

Stephen is an alumnus of the college and a governor of Stonyhurst, as well as managing director in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs where he has responsibility for metals and mining clients within the natural resources group.

Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Stephen worked in the Investment Banking Division of Citigroup Global Markets in London and Hong Kong for four years. In a 16-year career in investment banking, Stephen has advised on more than US$150bn of mergers and acquisitions, strategic and fundraising transactions, and is a previous speaker at the FT Global Commodities Summit.

He is also an experienced director and trustee who serves as a governor of Westminster Cathedral Choir School and on the Investment Committee of the British Jesuit Province. A member of the advisory board of Durham University Business School, he is also a Freeman of the City of London.

He joined Goldman Sachs in 2006 as an associate, was named a managing director in 2013 and will leave his role to join Stonyhurst in September, when he will also step down from the college’s governing body.

Stephen will remain an advisor to Goldman Sachs once he has taken up his new position at at the college.

John Browne, headmaster of Stonyhurst College, said: "I am delighted Stephen has chosen to join us at this exciting time in the development of the college and Saint Mary’s Hall. Stephen brings to Stonyhurst an outstanding track record at the highest level of international business and governance.

“His experience and relationships will be of enormous value to the college, for example, in advancing our work in fundraising, in international and strategic partnerships and in external relations.” Stephen added: “Stonyhurst is thriving. For more than 400 years the school has been challenging its pupils to do their very best and to go forward and make a real difference to the world. I’m excited to move with my family to the wonderful Ribble Valley and can’t think of a better place to base a family or for young people to go to school.”