After graduating from Wadham College, Oxford with an MA in Physics, Derek qualified as an accountant before moving into manufacturing industry, working in a variety of FMCG and OEM supply companies, latterly as Finance Director.
Along the way he served as a trustee of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust as well as being part of a Top Fuel drag racing team for over 10 years.
After 20 years in manufacturing, he moved via a large lottery funded charity into Independent education as bursar of several schools where he has managed expansion, significant building projects, merger and one sale to an investor.
Derek joined Marlborough in September 2025 as Interim Finance Director before taking over as Bursar.