Naomi L'Estrange, 1990

Naomi read Law at Clare, is now Co-Chief Executive of Vidett, the largest Independent Pension Trustee business in the country and was awarded Pensions Woman of the Year last year.

Who was your greatest Clare influence and why?

This is a tough one. It's either Professor Lipstein for his amazing knowledge, experience, verve and kindness; or hearing Sir David Attenborough talking about what a privilege it was to have studied at Clare- he captured the essence so beautifully.

Naomi's Story

I am pleased to say that I had realised before I arrived how precious my three years would be,  and threw myself into it head first,  combining Law, a French Diploma and a Choral Exhibition in my first year when (or because?) they told me it wasn't possible; in second year adding Rag Committee, Football and negotiating rents with the College as Food and Rooms officer (a Thirkhill Award was a higher priority to me than a First!).

Being at Clare gave me the opportunity to work out who I was and wanted to be, surrounded by people all of whom had something really special about them, and in the most beautiful place in the world. Several times I stayed up all night, delighting in the opportunity to discuss life, the universe and everything else with likeminded folk. One night we walked down King's Parade in the early hours and I was struck by the fact I had as much right to be there as Newton or Darwin, part of a chain of learning and life experiences stretching back for centuries and forward, I hope, indefinitely. The confidence I gained at Clare that I have the right to be in the room and that my opinions are valid has definitely played a key part in counterbalancing the crippling self doubt I share with most British women, and helped float a career which has gone better than I could have hoped. I now get to look after the futures of tens of thousands of pension scheme members and billions of pounds of assets as Co-Chief Executive of Vidett, the largest Independent Pension Trustee business in the country and was bewildered to be made Pensions Woman of the Year last year. 

I was pretty good back then at being in the moment and appreciating quite how lucky I was. Holding onto that would be my main advice to myself,  as well as not caring what others thought of me.

Without doubt my greatest privilege, and most memorable experiences, came from singing in the Chapel Choir. Our tour to  Russia three weeks after the Coup in 1991 was truly life changing. Singing the Latvian national anthem to a weeping crowd on the day they won their independence, sharing a concert with the amazing Leningrad Chamber Choir of St Petersburg (as they were known for that week!), sharing vodka shots with the Yaroslav Youth Choir,  eating bread and freshly churned butter in a tiny remote village,  seeing so many stunning views, and churches,  until your brain can't take any more,  and being worked hard by Tim Brown to deliver standards of music, camaraderie and teamwork, that we will never forget. Then there was the trip to Italy organised by Riccardo's brother (or was it cousin?). And not to forget Beigel's Bargain Break coach trip to Wisbech in Germany...

Finally there was the amazing opportunity to share a set in E Staircase (now occupied by Fellows) bringing with it the right to shout "that's my room" whenever the most famous view of Cambridge appears on the television, or we punt past, to the huge annoyance of my sons.