Alumni spotlight: Chris Wheeler (2017, BA History)

Chris Wheeler began his working life as an accountant before going on to enjoy a highly successful career in investment banking which saw him travel all over the world as an equity analyst covering some of the world’s biggest banks. Approaching retirement in his 60s, Chris decided to embark on a history degree at Harris Manchester. After completing an Open University course and being offered a place, he called time on his city career and matriculated in 2017. Following graduation, Chris continued his studies with a taught master's degree at the University of Warwick before going on to a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. We caught up with Chris to hear more about his time at the College.

What led you to Harris Manchester?

As I got past 60, my wife and daughter both pointed out that I was getting up at 5.30 every morning, and I would get home after eight. It was perfectly normal in the industry – you were well renumerated, but it was 12 to 15 hour days and a lot of travelling. So, they said to me, “Look, you've got to stop, but you're very energetic, so you've got to have something to do when you stop. Why don't you think about going back to study something you're passionate about, like history.” Harris Manchester was the only college I considered! I spoke to Vicky [the College's Tutor for Admissions] who advised me on the academic qualifications I would need to obtain before applying, as I had never been to university before. The irony of it all is that I knew nothing about how Oxford worked, despite hiring so many Oxbridge graduates during my career in the city!

What are some of your favourite memories of your time here?

I had this wonderful introduction to the University by doing courses at Pembroke and Merton and other colleges, so you got to see Oxford in all its glory. And obviously I met lots of other undergraduates who very kindly invited me to their college dinners. So it was quite a learning experience, and I loved the research and the writing. If I was in College, I was a bit of a nerd. I was always in the library – I didn’t pop down for a game of pool in the JCR or anything like that! I just found it a fantastic learning experience, and of course it made me not want to stop. I think that was what was nice about being here again. And being in a smaller and centrally located college just made everything easier for me. I also have some great memories of organising the College’s annual summer event for students. It had a Wind in the Willows theme so I got decked out in my tweed suit and a college bow tie and I had these big figures of Ratty and Mole made up and put them around the college. That was a lot of fun. And I felt it was important to contribute something because I wasn't living in College. I also remember coming to formal dinners pretty often and rushing back with Nick from the Bursary staff to get the last train home. Christmas parties and Burns night suppers, wine tastings and so on were all good fun. Generally, it was just great fun mixing with bright young people who were going to go on and do some really exciting things.

Do you have any advice for current students?

I think before you come, understand how the whole system works, because I think that would have been helpful to me – for example, nobody had told me about prelims [preliminary examinations]. I would also say for any student coming in, you've got to get the balance between the academic and the social side right; I don't think I quite got the balance quite right. I was so keen to do well because I was coming out of a very competitive industry!

You’ve given back to the College, both financially and with your time. What’s your motivation for doing this?

I’ve always tried to give back where I've really benefited personally from something. The Americans have a saying, which is ‘you learn, you earn and then you return.’ I think that is the right attitude. I always come back when I can and help out with things like Open Days where I can talk to prospective students and show them around the College. In business, it’s sad sometimes because things move on so quickly and it’s hard to maintain connections. But the thing about Oxford and colleges is that you can keep that connection – there's something more permanent about coming back to a physical place and meeting people there that you’ve known. So, for me, it’s not a difficult decision to keep supporting the College.