Students Inspired by Global Humanitarian Leader at Prince Philip Memorial Lecture
Friday 5 June 2026
At this year’s Prince Philip Memorial Lecture, students were inspired by global humanitarian leader Harpinder ‘Pin’ Collacott, who shared reflections from a career spent tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges. Her message encouraged students to lead with compassion, stay curious and recognise the importance of using their education and abilities in service of others.
One of the most prestigious lecture events in the Gordonstoun calendar is the Prince Philip Memorial Lecture. This annual event is held in honour of HRH Prince Philip and his lifelong commitment to service. In keeping with both the Duke’s legacy and Gordonstoun’s ethos, the lectures explore themes of global service, international understanding and community action.
This year, students had the privilege of welcoming global humanitarian leader Harpinder ‘Pin’ Collacott to Gordonstoun.
A Career Dedicated to Service
Pin has spent more than two decades working across some of the world’s most challenging environments, addressing poverty, conflict and humanitarian crises. Her career has taken her from the United Nations war crimes tribunals in West Africa to senior leadership roles across Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States. As Chief Executive of Development Initiatives and previously Executive Director for Europe at Mercy Corps, she has worked with governments, charities and international organisations to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Central to Pin’s message was the idea that compassion requires action, something everyone at Gordonstoun can relate to – with compassion, challenge and service underpinning our school’s ethos.
“Compassion begins when we refuse to look away,” she told students, reflecting on the moments that have defined her own path. She spoke movingly about the influence of her family, describing the way in which her parents and grandparents have shown her what service looks like in everyday life.
Throughout the lecture, students were encouraged to consider the person they were developing into at school, not solely what they might achieve. Pin challenged the idea that confidence comes from outward success, suggesting instead that “real confidence comes when you stop performing and start becoming". It is authenticity, she explained, that will set young people apart in the future.
Her message returned often to the importance of connection and perspective. She urged students to remain curious about the lives of others, to take time to listen, and to recognise education as a privilege that brings with it responsibility. Success, she emphasised, is never a solo journey, but something built through community, collaboration and shared purpose.
Encouraging students to embrace opportunity, she urged them to step forward even when they feel uncertain: “Say yes before you are ready.” It was a reminder that growth often comes from taking risks and trusting in one’s ability to learn along the way and resonates with Gordonstoun’s motto, ‘Plus Est En Vous’.
The event concluded with a lively and thoughtful Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to engage directly with Pin. Their questions ranged widely, reflecting both curiosity and ambition, from advice on pursuing a similar career path and her experiences working with the United Nations to what it feels like to be a role model. Students also asked about the projects that have defined her career, including how she has navigated cultural differences while working across the world. The quality and depth of the discussion were a testament to the impact of her lecture.
Underlying everything was a clear and consistent message: that talent and ambition are most meaningful when used in service of something greater than oneself. For Pin, leadership is not defined by position or status but by a willingness to act with compassion and to contribute to positive change.
As the founder of Gordonstoun, Kurt Hahn said, "The Gordonstoun community is on active service for things which are more important than Gordonstoun."
Pin's lecture was a fitting contribution to the Prince Philip Memorial Lecture series, leaving students not only inspired by her experiences but also challenged to reflect on their own values and the impact they hope to make in the world.
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