Centenary Celebrations, Functions and Events
Fraser Ramseyer
After Lathallan, Fraser attended Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen where he earned a first class honours degree in International Business, which involved a semester studying abroad in Istanbul, Turkey. While at RGU, Fraser played for the 1st XI Hockey team – going on international tours to Croatia, Spain and Holland -, Squash team and Clay Pigeon team, as well as representing the Scotland university hockey team against Wales and Ireland.
After graduating, Fraser moved to the USA to chase his entrepreneurial ambitions, ultimately joining a startup in Texas within the veterinary industry where he led M&A, Corporate Development and Strategy. In the space of 4 years they went from 4 people working above an animal hospital to 450 hospitals in 41 states, thousands of employees and over $1 billion of revenue. Following a successful sale of the business to a major global private equity firm, Fraser launched his own investment firm, as well as another consolidation strategy within the home services industry. He has scaled both rapidly, and now has over 600 employees across 4 states, regarded as one of the fastest growing businesses in the industry. Fraser was recently invited into the global Young Presidents Organisation as one of the youngest CEOs within the prestigious group.
“Lathallan is a unique and wonderful place, and has certainly shaped the person I am today. As I reflect on the 12 formative years I spent in the castle and on the grounds, I begin to realise that at its core and most profoundly, Lathallan builds tremendous character. The sports environment at Lathallan remains a highlight of my life to date, and as I reflect on it, truly has played a significant role in building the foundations that have helped me excel in my business career: competitiveness, a desire to succeed and strive for excellence, discipline, ability to grind through tough environments, work ethic, focus, and a winning mindset that anything is possible.
I recall my favourite days being those filled with sports where we would play rugby, cricket or football during break times, then have an afternoon period working on an intense training regime with Mrs Howie, whether it be hitting the pool for intense swim training, practising tennis serves while being video analysed, or running a beep test in the gym giving everything I had to beat my current record, before hitting the rugby field for team training. Being encouraged to not only play in a variety of sports, but to excel, created an adaptable mindset with an understanding that no matter how daunting a task may seem, or how little I knew about it, I could work hard, learn fast and execute.
Teachers felt like my extended family and created a safe and happy place to grow as a person, enjoy class and learn not only an education but tremendous life skills. Some memories that stand out as I reflect: English with Ms Herickx and hearing about her inspiring adventures across the globe, Mr McGuire throwing us humbugs for correct answers and being such a positive and happy person, Mrs Howie pushing your boundaries and showing you what you can truly achieve in a given sport through hard work and discipline, Mr Ferrier and Mr Copeland’s character building on the rugby field, Mr Toley’s fascinating classics classes served with tea and biscuits, or dares to approach Ian Suttie and Michelle Mone to try to sell them our Young Enterprise Group’s memory stick wristband (to which I absolutely carried out), stepping out of my comfort zone on stage in one of Mr Page’s plays, taking a light-hearted, yet engaging approach to Geography with Ms Heartwell, travelling to the most northerly town in Norway to pipe in the midnight sun with Mr Nevans, being humbled after playing Mr Lyle at badminton, being kept healthy through plasters and laughter with Lucy…the list goes on. Lathallan provided expeditions, mentors, sports and an education that have allowed me to pursue success in life, as well as create friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Visit other Old Lathallians
Old Lathallians and friends of Lathallan
The Old Lathallian Association Is open to all former pupils of Lathallan, to members of staff, past and present, and to parents. Old Lathallians can expect a regular newsletter (generally four times a year) as well as invitations to reunions and events.
Old Lathallian Contact
Karen Runcie