Old Millfieldian of the Year Winners 2025

We are excited to announce that the highly anticipated OM of the Year Awards will be held as part of the 90 Years of Brilliance at Millfield event on Friday, 23 May. This prestigious occasion celebrates the remarkable achievements of our distinguished alumni, highlighting their exceptional contributions across a wide range of industries and fields.

Since its founding in 2000, the OM of the Year Awards have recognised alumni from diverse professions, from authors and Olympic champions to media figures, directors, musicians, political leaders, entrepreneurs, and more. Our awardees truly represent the vast talent within the global Millfield community.

We are proud to introduce the 2025 OM of the Year Award winners: Amanda Cromhout, Brigadier Anna Kimber OBE, Daphne Schrager, and Rory Gibbs. These outstanding individuals embody the leadership and excellence that define the Millfield community.

To view the complete list of OM of the Year winners, click here. 

Amanda Cromhout (Johnsons; 1987-89) 

Amanda Cromhout has been recognised as a World Leader in Loyalty for two consecutive years, receiving the following accolades: International Loyalty Personality of the Year 2023 and Best Loyalty Professional of the Year 2024. 

Amanda is also the author of the book Blind Loyalty – 101 Loyalty Concepts Radically Simplified, which has become the textbook for the global loyalty industry. Released at the end of 2023, the book is a compelling read for anyone in business, with 100% of all profits going to The Blind Loyalty Trust. This trust, founded by Amanda, aids blindness reversal for underprivileged patients in rural communities. 

Amanda was inspired to establish the trust after being diagnosed with the frightening condition Fusarium Keratitis in 2022, which posed a serious threat to her vision. Determined to help others facing similar challenges, Amanda aimed to ensure they would have the financial resources to access the necessary healthcare to preserve their sight. She turned her personal adversity into real triumph to help others. You can read more about the trust at www.blindloyalty.co.za.  

Additionally, Amanda is the Academic Director and Master Trainer of the Diploma in Loyalty, as well as CEO/Founder of loyalty consultancy, Truth (www.truth.co.za), and is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on customer loyalty. 

Brigadier Anna Kimber OBE (Overleigh; 1986-88) 

Brigadier Anna Kimber OBE has served in the British Army for over 30 years, and most recently held the position of the UK Director for D-Day 80, a series of events in the UK and across Normandy of global significance, to honour the memory of the brave personnel who gave so much for freedom. It was a phenomenal success. Anna and her team worked tirelessly on the project and with the Royal Household, the UK and international governments, the MOD, Armed Forces Charities and the BBC.   

In recognition of the success and importance of these events, as well as the exemplary leadership and professional excellence displayed by Anna, she was awarded an OBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honour List for her services to the nation and the British Military. 

Anna is often referred to as part of the 'breakthrough' generation, smashing through glass ceilings and paving the way for women in the Army. When she did a gap year with the Army after leaving Millfield, women could only join the Women's Royal Army Corps. Now they can serve anywhere they want. Anna has three sons whose experience of Millfield has been to meet on the sports fields representing arch-rivals Cheltenham College!    

Anna's career has taken her to the rank of Brigadier. She retired from the Army this year as a highly decorated officer, to take up the role of Deputy Governor of His Majesty's Tower of London.   

Daphne Schrager (Overleigh; 2014-19) 

Daphne Schrager is an exceptional para-athlete whose journey began in track sprints, with an international debut for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In December 2019, she transitioned to the GB cycling program, where she quickly became a force in both track and road cycling, collecting a remarkable range of medals at the World and European Championships. 

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Daphne focused on refining her skills, and in 2021, she claimed gold in the WC1 Time Trial at the UCI Para Road World Cup, followed by a bronze in the WC3 Road Race at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships. 

In 2022, she earned two European titles before becoming World Champion in the Women’s 3k Pursuit C3 at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships, securing her first rainbow jersey. She raced as part of the highly successful Great Britain Cycling Team, who claimed 28 medals at the championships. Her strong form continued into 2023, with three national track titles and several World Cup medals. 

Her remarkable journey resulted in her participation at the Paris Paralympic Games, where she proudly represented Team GB in cycling. Among her inspiring performances at the Games, her standout achievement was winning a silver medal in the individual pursuit C1-3 event, marking Team GB’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, while also setting a new C2 world record. 

Rory Gibbs (MPS; 2005-07, Kingweston; 2007-12) 

Rory Gibbs, a professional rower for British Rowing, was inspired to pursue the sport through Millfield’s rowing taster programs, where he first experienced rowing during his final summer term. He went on to attend Oxford Brookes University, where he continued to develop his passion for the sport. His commitment led him to the GB squad early in his university career, as he made his debut for the GB Rowing Team at the U23 World Championships, where he finished fifth as part of the men’s eight in 2015, and then again in 2016, and he has since demonstrated exceptional determination on his journey to the top. 

Rory’s success continued with a gold medal in the coxless four at the 2019 European Rowing Championships, followed by a bronze at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. From this point, Rory clearly fuelled his desire to be part of the team taking the top spot on the podium as he went on to secure an additional four gold medals at the European Championships and two gold medals at the World Championships.  

With the multiple World and European Championship titles to his name, Rory has also represented Team GB in two Olympic Games - Tokyo and Paris. Most notably, he secured a gold medal in the Men’s 8 Rowing event at the Paris Olympics.  

Rory made the decision to retire from British Rowing this year, and is now focused on new ventures, including his free rowing workouts, Rowkouts, on YouTube, and his personal training programs.