I went to Fettes as a result of pure chance. I was born in Zambia, but my family had connections in the North East, so I started at Lathallan, scraped through the Fettes entrance examination, and arrived at Fettes in 1960. I had a good time at School. Lots of sport, lots of pipe band and a bit of work, and I enjoyed it. The curriculum was, however, fairly narrow in those days. There were few opportunities for extra activities, and it was all pretty austere with a strong element of discipline and cold showers every morning. My worst moments at Fettes were the regular beatings. You did not seem to have to do much to merit a beating. I remember tape measures to measure the width of boys' trousers! And the food in the dining room? Well, it was appalling. Overall though, we all seemed surprisingly to be the better for it.

My daughter Shona (College West 1995) went to Fettes for her sixth form and she really benefited from the experience. It was great to see how much more comprehensive the opportunities for the pupils were at Fettes compared with my day.

For me as a pupil there were wonderful moments too of which I am very proud. The best was when College West won 'Cock House' at rugby in 1964. Four or five of us were determined to win despite the fact that there was only one member of the 1st XV in our House and the favourites, Moredun, had about seven, I think. We trained religiously in the dark and the cold four nights a week and we reached the final to face Moredun. I still remember that terrific feeling when we won 3 - 0. It was a real underdog story, it taught me a lot and even George Preston was so surprised he took us all to the cinema. What was wonderful too were the friends that I made and still have, that great character whom I shall never forget, Charles Whittle, and the marvellous David McMurray. Good friends are important, and I value the Fettes network and still use it today.

Fettes also gave me the great gifts of interpersonal skills, confidence and sound common sense all of which are very important in business. So, after qualifying as a Scottish CA, spending three years in Paris with Peat Marwick Mitchell and an industrial career which included Philips Industries and BAT Industries, I joined Tesco in 1985. Who would have imagined then that Tesco would have become what it is now, the UK retail market leader in our field? I have learnt a lot of lessons from this. Anything is possible, and following the principles that no one tries harder for their customers and that we treat people, both our staff and customers, as we would like to be treated, I know that everything is possible.

My important business challenge at the moment is to make Tesco the first British retailer to be successful overseas. We have formidable competition and there are risks, but too many UK businesses have been taken over by foreign companies because they are too inward-looking. The world around you changes, and if you do not change with it you soon become somebody else's lunch - never underestimate Tesco!

I owe Fettes a lot and I strongly support The Fettes Foundation because I believe that it is right to put something back into something that has helped me in my life. My education has got to be at the top of the list and I am certainly never going to take it for granted. A school like Fettes does not happen by accident. It needs to be well-managed and well funded, and no Fettesian can assume that it will simply carry on like that without our support. It's common sense really.

Finally, although I was not at Fettes with Barrie Lloyd I cannot speak highly enough of his initiative on the Fettes Foundation. Without his inspiration the Foundation would not have happened. He is an example to us all of what is possible with a vision, unbridled enthusiasm and hard work!

David Reid is a former Trustee and Founder of The Fettes Foundation.