Alumni Stories: My Journey from Albyn to Forbes 30 Under 30

From writing music for Sony and BMG, to landing roles at Universal Music and Muse Group, Joel’s path has been anything but typical. And as if that wasn’t enough, he’s now stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, launching his own record label, Robertson Records.

In our conversation, Joel reflects on his time at Albyn with plenty of stories to share, talks about how those years helped shape his career, and offers some down-to-earth advice for current pupils with big ambitions. Expect a blend of nostalgia, insight, and a few laughs along the way.

When you think back to your time at school here, what moments or experiences stand out most clearly to you?
There are a lot of moments and experiences that stand out clearly to me. From playing Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (dressed as Elvis), to becoming the Swimming Champion, winning the Swim Cup. I have some incredible memories.

For me, music was a huge part of my time at Albyn. Playing in the orchestra, singing in the chamber choir, belting out hymns in assembly, and even sneaking into the hall during free periods to play the piano are all very fond memories. That’s really where my love, and probably obsession, with music began.

Sport was also a big part of my experience. Some of my favourite memories come from being part of the ski team. I should probably apologise to the PE staff in advance, as I may have slightly exaggerated my skiing ability to get onto the team. In reality, I had never skied before, so I very much learned on the job. Thankfully, the training days helped, and the Alps weren’t a bad place to figure it out.

Were there any particular teachers, subjects, or opportunities that had a lasting impact on your interests or ambitions?
There were a lot of teachers who had a lasting impact on me. In the Lower School, I’ll always remember Miss Mae and Miss Mckai (P4 and P5) for their kindness, and Mrs Brown (Zibby), who was always so warm and encouraging, even though she didn’t teach me directly.

In Upper School, Mrs Crawford was amazing with me, not just in sport, but also in being supportive when things weren’t always going to plan. She was more impactful to me than I'm sure she'd imagine. Mr Starbuck was also fantastic at keeping things grounded. I remember once being sent to his office for a prank I may or may not have been involved in. I was fairly nervous, but to my relief, he saw the funny side and we both had a giggle.

There are so many others I could mention, Mr Currie, Miss Richardson, Mr Howden, Dr Girdwood, Miss Pike, Mr MacDermott, Mr Somerville, Mrs Arthur, Laura Agnes, Mr Blunsdon, Mrs Imlah, the list really does go on. Looking back, I think anyone who taught me or spent time with me played a role in shaping who I am today, and I’m very grateful for that. Thank you to you all.

At the time, did you have a clear sense of the path you wanted to follow, or did that develop later on?
Not at all. At different points I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer, a lawyer, and I had a strong interest in international relations.

Music was always the constant though. I loved singing in the choir, playing violin in the orchestra, and writing creatively. I definitely had ambitions of being a pop star from about the age of one. Over time, that passion developed into song writing and performing, which is where I felt most at home.

Choosing to pursue it as a career felt like a big risk at the time, and I certainly didn’t expect that journey to eventually lead me into leading global partnerships and working across the music industry. I don't think I was ever prepared to be listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe, Entertainment. So this is an incredibly proud moment.

How do you feel your time with us helped prepare you for the challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered since?
I think Albyn really helped me build resilience and confidence. There was always an encouragement to get involved in lots of different things, which meant I became quite adaptable early on.

It never felt like there was pressure to fit into one particular box. I felt able to be myself, share ideas, and get stuck into different opportunities, which has translated directly into how I approach my work now.

Looking back, were there any skills or values you developed here that you still rely on in your work today?
There are a lot. From core things like reading and writing, to teamwork, honesty, and kindness.

Whether it was sport, music, or even things like Dancersize competitions (which we won, I should add, go Douglas), there was always an emphasis on showing up, contributing, and pushing yourself.

Those are all things I still rely on today, whether that’s in day to day communication or working on large scale projects.

Can you describe a turning point or key opportunity after leaving school that helped set you on your current path?
There were a few key moments, but going to the British Institute of Modern Music in Brighton was definitely a turning point.

From there, I was performing as the lead singer in a band, writing music constantly, studying music business and theory, and being offered opportunities to write for film and TV. That eventually led to writing for major labels like Sony Music Publishing and BMG, which I still do, and then into my first major role with Universal Music Group in partnerships.

At the time, it all felt quite fast and intense, and only now do I really take a step back and appreciate what was happening. A standout moment for me was performing with my band at Boomtown Festival, that was when it all started to feel very real, and that I was making an impact.

What advice would you give to current pupils who might be hoping to follow in your footsteps or achieve similar success?
Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. If you have a strong instinct about something, it’s usually worth exploring.

Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel slightly outside your comfort zone. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll learn something valuable. If it does, even better.

Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Things will go wrong, and that’s completely normal. Those lessons are often the most valuable ones.

Work hard, be kind, and take pride in what you do. And try to treat every day as day one.

Of course, I'd be more than happy to chat to anyone who's looking to explore the music industry.

If you could describe your time at Albyn in three words, what words would you use?
Family, culture, talent.

From Albyn classrooms to the Forbes 30 Under 30, Joel’s journey is a reminder of where ambition and curiosity can lead. His story shows that big ideas can start small—and that the path from school to success is rarely predictable, but always worth it.