Back to AKS: Peter Erskine Delivers Real‑World Financial Wisdom to Year 12

We were delighted to welcome back alumnus Peter Erskine to AKS to speak with our Year 12 students as part of a Financial Essentials for School Leavers session. While finance can often feel like an intimidating topic, Peter delivered an engaging, practical and refreshingly honest talk that quickly put students at ease.

An AKS alumnus from 1995–2010, and former Deputy Head Boy, Peter shared his own journey from school through university at Lancaster and into a career spanning Goldman Sachs, OakNorth Bank and Silver Fish Supply. Returning to the same buildings and having followed similar steps himself, Peter was highly relatable, helping students see that the “big wide world” is navigable, even if it feels daunting at first.

Peter covered a wide range of real‑world financial topics that many people admit they wish they had understood sooner. From deciphering payslips and understanding tax, National Insurance and pensions, to managing bank accounts, overdrafts, loans and credit cards, the session focused on the everyday realities students will soon face. Concepts such as budgeting, credit scores, money stress and saving for the future were explained clearly and without jargon, giving students a solid foundation for financial independence.

Particularly engaging was Peter’s honest discussion around money stress and how easily it can build if finances aren’t managed well. He offered practical advice on budgeting, creating spending “pots”, automating payments and checking in regularly with finances, reinforcing that good money habits are about consistency, not perfection. His message that “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” resonated strongly, reminding students that small, sensible decisions made early can make a big difference over time.

With his experience in the finance industry and his approachable, down‑to‑earth delivery, Peter was the ideal person to bring these topics to life. Students were engaged throughout and left with a clearer understanding of finances and reassurance that it’s okay not to have everything figured out straight away.

We are extremely grateful to Peter for returning 16 years after leaving AKS to share his time, experience and insight with our students. Alumni visits like this are invaluable in helping prepare students for life beyond school.

If you are an AKS alumnus and would be interested in coming back to share your experiences and expertise, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at alumni@akslytham.com.