We’re incredibly proud of our alumni continuing to reach for the sun and who, in doing so, have become hugely successful in a wide range of fields. From Old Dragons playing for England like Maia Bouchier (OD 2012), and making the world a better place apps like Tom Baker (OD 2013), to our Junior Old Dragons making a difference, such as Anya Katanyutanon (OD 2021) who presented her research findings at the World Conference on Public Health (WCPH).
The latest feature in our Diversity of Dragons series highlights JP Burrough (OD 1997), whose early days embracing every opportunity at the Dragon helped shape his career to date. From teaching languages and sport to leading one of London’s top estate agencies, JP’s journey has been defined by teamwork, resilience, and a love of community.
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My best memories of my education were at the Dragon. It was a huge family, no matter what year you were in! I was provided unlimited opportunities to try different things, from arts and crafts to languages, through to sport, which played a huge part in my life thereafter. What the Dragon did for me was to build my personality with the confidence and independence to develop skills I never knew I had.
Like a lot of people, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I knew I was a team player, a people person, and I took huge pleasure in helping people and being someone you could rely on. Unknown to me, I would become one of my old companies’ highly decorated leaders.
After finishing my education in Oxford, I became a teacher, qualifying in Education and Human Development with Spanish as a minor. I then thought, what better place to revisit but where it all started to get some further insight into becoming a teacher. However, I ended up teaching GCSE and A-Level at Henley college where I taught Spanish, French, rugby, and cricket. Unfortunately, I realised that teaching wasn’t meant to be in the end, but it made me aware of my passion in assisting others to develop their skills and improve themselves in becoming the best they can be.
“What the Dragon did for me was to build my personality with the confidence and independence to develop skills I never knew I had.”
An opportunity presented itself, which meant I left Oxfordshire and moved to London, accepting a job as a Sales Negotiator at Marsh and Parsons. The company felt like a family, and one that really set itself above everyone in looking after its staff, achieving outstanding results, and being the ‘go-to agent’. It was the agency that people went to for honest, hardworking staff who provide an exceptional service, who go above and beyond! An agency you could truly rely on to sell your home! 11 years on and after consistently delivering results as well as achieving the number 1 spot across 32 offices, I was promoted to Director. Sadly, shortly after, we were sold, and everything changed.
It was at this time that I also met my now wife (every cloud!). She pushed me to seek my dream in building my own business that stands true to everything I had learnt from the Dragon to now. After many conversations in the pub with my now business partner (also an Oxford boy), we took the leap and created Shires and Spires Estate Agents. There could be no better place to do this but in the City we both love, so we came back to Oxford.
Between us, we’ve spent many years working in property, learning not just about houses but about the people and communities that make them homes. Returning to Oxford has been a reminder of how closely education and place are connected here, and how strong those roots can be. Reconnecting with the Dragon has made that link feel all the more special.
With the support of a brilliant team, we’ve been able to shape an agency that reflects the values we care about most: trust, hard work, and community. Coming back to Oxford has felt like a full-circle moment, and it’s a privilege to play a small part in the city that gave us our start.
JP Burrough (OD 1997)
Co-Founder of Shires & Spires
Let us know what you’ve been up to since your Dragon Days, we’d love to share your story | [email protected]
