George (2006, K) came to Radley from Romania on a fully funded Sixth Form Scholarship. Now an engineering lead working at the forefront of AI, he reflects on two transformative years – and how the lessons he learned about diversity, ambition, and responsibility continue to shape both his career and character.
“Radley was transformative – not just as a place of learning, but as a place of perspective. Being given the opportunity to experience everything Radley offers made me realise that privilege carries responsibility: to give back, to uplift others, and to leave things better than you found them. For example, in my time there, Radley organised trips to Moreni, Romania, to support a local community, which was a powerful early lesson in social responsibility. I also learned that real progress demands hard work, and that adversity can spark some of our most creative ideas.
One of the most lasting lessons Radley taught me was the value of diversity – how the unfamiliar can be a source of strength. I learned to seek out people with different experiences, talents, and ways of thinking, and to let their perspectives challenge and refine my own. That mindset has shaped everything I’ve done during my time at Radley and since. Taking part in the Bank of England’s Target 2.0 competition showed me what it meant to think ambitiously and operate at a high level, even as a student.
These lessons have proven invaluable in my current role as Engineer Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, where I manage teams working on AI and site reliability engineering projects – including developing www.pathfinder-ai.app, a GenAI medical triage app designed to get patients the help they need more quickly and efficiently.
In the world of AI and engineering, these lessons continue to guide me – reminding me that bold thinking, hard work, and embracing the unfamiliar can create real impact.”
– George Popescu-Craiova (2006, K)
