Alumna Spotlight: Isobel Pinder, Class of 2018

Isobel Pinder, Royal High School Bath Class of 2018, is founder of Let's Go Girls Bath, an events company and member's club where women come together to explore their passions, build friendships, and embark on exciting adventures. Read about Let's Go Girls on the BBC News website here. 

Tell us about your current role and how you got to where you are now...

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since leaving Royal in 2018. I was lucky enough to gain an unconditional offer from the Royal Northern College of Music, which was my dream university. Mr Bradbury and Mark Whitlam were particularly generous with their time in helping me prepare for my two rounds of auditions, though all my teachers were so supportive. I released my debut original album as an artist under the name Isobel Holly in 2020, and toured the UK during what became the run up to the announcement of the COVID-19 lockdown (part one!).

Lockdown actually came at a good time for me; I was burnt out, overworked, and it gave me an excuse to stop putting so much pressure on myself. It gave me time to think about what made me truly happy. 

I completed a Professional Diploma in Interior Design alongside my remote learning for my degree and like many of us, spent a lot of time with my family, tried lots of new crafts, and was lucky enough to enjoy the time off After a year or so of trying to do a music degree over Zoom, I decided I would get more out of being at university if I delayed completing by a year, so that’s what I did. 

I came home to Bath, worked as a receptionist at the Bath Priory and made lots of new friends in the process. I also traveled solo to the US, enjoying just over a month in New York, New Orleans and Nashville- performing and exploring along the way. Travelling to new places on my own allowed me to learn a lot about myself and make many other-worldly memories. 

After going back to Manchester and completing my degree in 2023, I continued to work for the company with whom I did an internship for my final year, Syn Music. This role involved a plethora of different tasks, but my main responsibility was curating playlists for hotels, restaurants and events. As Syn is based in Japan, I even recorded vocals for various Japanese Christmas commercials, including one for Amazon! It was so much fun. However, I really wanted to move back to my comfort place of beautiful Bath, and continue my hospitality career, since I enjoyed it so much the year before. 

I worked at the beautiful Royal Crescent Hotel, again as a receptionist, but after nearly a year I was suffering with the unpredictable and unsociable hours. Although I love the people I worked with, I wasn’t able to get out into nature as much as I like, my social life was disappearing and I also felt a lack of opportunity to grow and progress in the small team. My dog sitter saw my dog more than I did! So in June I handed in my notice. On to the next adventure. 

Earlier in the year I was lucky enough to purchase my gorgeous 1971 VW Crossover Dormobile- a sweet little pale pink camper van. I joined various female camper groups on Facebook, and had the idea of putting on camper meet-ups for ladies with camper vans. This lead onto the idea of hosting more events for women in Bath, and that’s were the Let’s Go Girls Club was born! 

Let’s Go Girls is a place where ladies come together to explore their passions, build friendships, and embark on exciting adventures. Members have exclusive access to a curated array of creative and sociable events tailored to the modern woman. I’ve always loved hosting parties and looking after people, as well as organising and planning. So, I created a company in which I could bring all these things together to create wonderful experiences for other women. 

What aspects of Royal High School Bath did you enjoy and find most rewarding?

At Royal High there was always something for everyone. The extra-curricular offering was amazing, from day one. I remember “enrichment” on a Thursday in Junior School, and I even signed up for Gardening Club! I love that there were no “boys’ subjects”, and girls could be themselves in any environment. 

Any key memories or favourite teachers? 

A few things come to mind; from burning onions in Food Tech, to playing leap frog on the Chapel Field. 

Señor Roca, who then became Signor Roca when I started learning Italian, seemed so stern when I was in Year 7, and I was so scared to answer any questions in Spanish. So much so that I stayed behind and asked him to not call on me in class! Who knew I’d go on to study both Italian and Spanish at A-Level, achieving an A* in the latter? Signor Roca never failed to make me and Grace (the only other girl studying Italian for A-Level) laugh. He was also my sixth form tutor, and supported me through thick and thin. 

What did you aspire to while at school? 

I wanted to be a full-time musician for the longest time. Little did I know I would still be gigging, but also running my own company, affecting the lives of women around the UK. 

How did RHB empower you for your future?

The whole ethos of Royal High is that girls can do anything! And it definitely felt that way. 

Teachers were so supportive of new ideas and when I was gigging and performing multiple nights a week, my teachers empowered me and treated me like an adult that made my own choices. I felt so respected and had such a good relationship with my teachers in Sixth Form, encouraging me to do my best with whatever I chose. 

How did your studies at RHB inspire you to follow your chosen career? 

Being taught by people that were also professional musicians was very inspiring, and so helpful for my journey to the Royal Northern. 

What has been your proudest moment so far? 

My final recital at the Royal Northern was extremely emotional, as it had taken a low and many ups-and-downs to get to that point. I didn’t think I’d make it to that point, let alone graduate with a 1st Class degree. 

What would you say to your 11-year-old self?

Don’t be scared of Signor Roca! And to keep my friends close, not to isolate myself with my music. You’ll get to 24 and realise how important female friendships are. 

What are your hopes for the future? 

I hope that Let’s Go Girls will grow, with communities across the country. I also hope we’ll travel abroad together! Aside from LGG, it is a dream of mine to renovate an old French chateaux or Italian farmhouse and turn it into a B&B with a couple of alpacas, Indian runner ducks, hens and a donkey or two… That might have to wait though!