On Thursday, 20th March, Francis Holland, Regent’s Park, was delighted to welcome alumna and Member of Parliament Jess Asato (Class of 1999) for an inspiring discussion about her career.

Jess Asato was elected Member of Parliament for Lowestoft in 2024. Before entering Parliament, she held key roles in the charitable and political sectors, serving as Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Barnardo’s, working with domestic abuse charity SafeLives, and acting as a political advisor to MP Tessa Jowell.

During her visit, Jess participated in a panel discussion led by two Sixth Form Politics students, followed by a lively and insightful Q&A session with the audience. She encouraged students to think critically about political decision-making and emphasised the importance of using their electoral voice to drive change. For many A-level students in attendance, this was a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the realities of political life and the significance of civic engagement.

We were joined by students from Wetherby Senior, St George’s Catholic School, and St Marylebone, all eager to hear Jess’s inspiring story. She captivated the audience as she shared her journey from studying at Francis Holland, Regent’s Park, to campaigning for young carers’ rights. Jess also spearheaded Ask for ANI, a scheme designed to support domestic abuse victims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A heartfelt thank you to Jess for taking time out of her busy schedule to return to Francis Holland, Regent’s Park, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

If you are an alumni and would like to join us as a guest speaker, please email alumni@fhs-nw1.org.uk