Nicolas Weir, Head of International Sales and Delivery

Describe your role

As Head of International Sales and Delivery, I'm responsible for looking after our international area managers. I also devise our strategy for how we can grow the international arm of the business, and how we can best look after our current network of partner schools to make sure they use our platform effectively.

On top of this, I'm the Area Manager for Switzerland, so am personally responsible for growing our number of partner schools there, and maintaining great relationships with the schools we work with there already!

What’s at the top of your bucket list?

I love snorkelling, snowboarding, fishing and climbing - any 'outdoor' sport really! Last summer I went to the Alps and climbed the Zinalrothorn, from where you get to see lots of other peaks in the Alps. One of them was Dent Blanche, or ‘White Tooth’, which is just over 4,000m high - it’d be great to climb that next summer.

What motivates you at Unifrog?
 
I’d say there are three main things: firstly, I love building great relationships with counselors and teachers at schools around the world; secondly, it’s great to provide students with access to a fabulous tool that I would have found immensely helpful myself when I was a student; finally, I love working with a brilliant team of people and doing my bit to help the company grow!

What’s your favourite memory of being on the road for Unifrog?

Greg and I recently went to a conference in Bangkok and on our way to the venue we were fortunate enough to be able to take a Hello Kitty tuk tuk through the streets. We saw some great views of the city and I won’t forget that journey easily!

Ben Mahoney, Area Manager

Describe your role as an Area Manager at Unifrog

My key role at Unifrog is to build strong relationships with schools. This means ensuring they’re getting the most out of Unifrog, fully embracing what the platform has to offer, and keeping abreast of the ongoing developments. Area Managers are crucial in spreading the Unifrog ethos - leveling the playing field so everyone has the same opportunities -  I am part of the larger process of delivering this, while ensuring all the effort the company puts in to make this happen has maximum impact.

What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?

People normally say their alarm clock, and I'm no different, but once the alarm clock has done its job, then I'd say it's the nature of what I do - no two days the same, working with a diverse range of schools, delivering training and support on a fantastic product, and helping literally thousands of people access a resource which makes a real and positive difference to their lives; as the saying goes, 'find a job you love and never work another day in your life'.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?

That a tool like Unifrog can really change a young person's life, and how different my own pathway might have been if I'd had the benefit of its guidance.

What would your perfect weekend look like?

I’ve got young children and so my perfect weekend would be spending time as a family, getting outdoors, walking, playing football, trampolining - anything active to tire them out.

Chris Edwards, Area Manager

What does a good day as an Area Manager look like?

As an Area Manager every single day is different. I can be speaking at a conference in front of hundreds of people one day, and meeting with a local council the next. Hearing feedback from staff and students about how Unifrog has helped them to plan their futures is incredibly rewarding and is always part of a great day at work.

How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?

Working remotely can definitely be a challenge, but staying in constant touch with colleagues over the phone really helps. I usually use the long car journeys to speak with people on handsfree and I also have about a million work WhatsApp groups so I never feel too far away.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?

I love being active and struggle to sit still for more than 10 minutes. I have a particular fascination with martial arts and I am currently doing kickboxing/Muay Thai training five times a week! I also enjoy taking my dog out for long muddy walks and if I'm lucky, I love a good snowboarding holiday too.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

New Zealand. I went traveling around both islands before going to university, and it was the most incredible place. The scenery is unlike anything anywhere else in the world and there is so much to do. You can even ski and surf on the same day, which is right up my street!

Greg Brown, International Area Manager

What does a good work day look like to you?

 The great thing about working at Unifrog is that every day is different. As an International Area Manager I’m often travelling, so when not on the road I really enjoy working from home in the peace and quiet. Plus, I always get to choose the office music! A good day will involve Skype meetings with Unifrog partners and a big part of the role is having a flexible schedule. I can be speaking with people in Kazakhstan in the morning and the Cayman Islands in the evening.

If I’m travelling for work and out in different countries, a successful day is always measured by the positive reactions from students and staff when you present Unifrog at their school. It’s great walking around after the session and hearing the murmurs of excitement.

What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you whilst travelling for work?

 A couple of years ago I was in Singapore visiting some Unifrog schools and I decided to take a trip to the ‘Treetop Walk’ in MacRitchie Park. I knew there were lots of macaque monkeys around but I didn’t bet on just how aggressive they could be. As I was crossing the bridge I saw them sizing me up but decided to take a selfie on the bridge anyway. Just as I was looking at the screen, I could see a big macaque monkey charging at me from behind! It jumped on to my shoulders, reached into my bag and tried to grab my stuff. Thankfully I’d seen it coming so turned around quickly and fought him off. He was obviously after the Unifrog booklets in my bag…even the monkeys are keen!

Where are you living at the moment?

 A few years ago I moved to Copenhagen from London. I love living here and because Copenhagen is a lot smaller (and quieter) than London, it means you’re never too far from the beach or forests as well as the city centre. The best thing is the freedom to cycle around the city. Danes are obsessed with cycling, and there is even a word – ‘Copenhagenize’ - which describes making a city better for getting around by bike. The food is also amazing and although I’m not that into seafood (which is a big deal here) there are plenty of delicious pastry shops and ice cream stands to keep me happy. If you need an excuse to visit, just google ‘Nyhavn Sunset’.

You grew up in Northern Ireland – what are your favourite things about it?

 Northern Ireland has a unique charm to it which is hard to find anywhere else - It’s a small place with a real sense of community. If you meet another person from Northern Ireland elsewhere in the world then you’ve an instant friend. Despite its small size it has amazing scenery, from rugged rocky coastlines to sprawling mountains and lakes. The slower pace of life makes it a lovely place to relax when I’m home visiting family and the food always goes down well – an Ulster fry with potato and soda farls, Fifteens and Yellowman honeycomb! 

Jacqui Hogan, Account Manager

What does your role as an Account Manager at Unifrog involve?

It involves visiting lots of schools and colleges and trying to understand how we might best be able to support them in delivering and monitoring their careers guidance.

What do you enjoy most about working with schools in the North of England?

As a Northener, I love working with schools in the north of England. Every day is different and I enjoy getting to know all the students and teachers in my various partner schools. My work involves a lot of driving and I get to drive through some of the UK's most stunning countryside. 

Is working for a social enterprise important to you?

Working for a social enterprise is very important to me. As a child I lived in what was considered to be an underprivileged area and know only too well the challenges that this can pose to young people. The fact that Unifrog aims to help level out the educational playing field, giving students access to information and resources to help them find the best destinations and opportunities for them is a huge incentive for me and make me feel proud to be a part of it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s a Marcus Aurelius quote: ‘Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; and if it is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.’

Kim Anderson, Area Manager

How long have you worked at Unifrog and what have been the biggest changes in that time?

I'm pretty old school at Unifrog, joining the company way back in 2015. I can remember the early days when we only had three tools. Unifrog is constantly developing and improving so there isn't just one big change. I guess the main change is that there’s now too many of us to all fit around one desk at Team Day!

What’s your favourite tool on the Unifrog platform? 

It's like asking which is my favourite child! The UK university tool will always be a stand out winner,  it never fails to impress people when they see it for the first time. It also makes me wonder how I made a decision on university back in the day, basing my decision purely on the  pictures in prospectuses. Other than that the Subjects Library - in particular the 'Geek Out' section - as it’s jam-packed full of cool stuff. I would definitely have loved it as a student.

What part of your role do you find most challenging? 

Getting hold of teachers! You guys are always so busy that trying to find time to speak to a teacher is like trying to pin down water. 

What’s your favourite film and why? 

Film would be my specialist subject on Mastermind. I'm such a geek - surely no-one can have a favourite? I probably have a favourite in every genre. Growing up with a big brother definitely formed my taste, starting with the Goonies, Rocky and Lethal Weapon (I didn't say it was good taste!). But now being a mum, you don't really get a say, although Moana and The Lego Batman Movie are actually surprisingly good.

Matthew Jones, Area Manager

Describe your role as an Area Manager at Unifrog

Every day is different and there is no ‘normal’ or ‘repetitive’ week. As I cover north west England, north and mid Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, I travel quite a bit. One day I can be over in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, the next in Greater Manchester (take a look at a map of the UK, it’s some distance)!

There’s no normal 9-5. Some days I’m on the road at 5.30am or catching a flight over to Belfast at 6am and not walking back through the front door until gone 9pm later that night! Whilst demanding and often very tiring, it’s also exciting, rewarding and most importantly, doesn’t bore me to death! I enjoy the role as it keeps me on my toes and at the end of every day I feel like I’ve achieved something.

You've lived in Anglesey all your life, tell us your favourite fact or thing about what it's like to live there?

Bar two brief stints elsewhere yes, I’ve lived in Anglesey my whole life! When I was 16, I left Anglesey and joined the British Army as an Electronic Avionics Technician in Harrogate. But it wasn’t what I anticipated and I left after 12 months to go back into education and work towards university.

Anglesey really is such a beautiful place to live and many of the teachers I meet love coming over to Anglesey in the summer! What I most love about it is it’s a great place to bring up my daughter (who’s now 2)! It has everything - from my family and friends, beautiful beaches, countryside, the mountains of Snowdonia just round the corner and the cities of Liverpool and Chester within a short commute.

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

So, it’s quite an interesting story. I was at home (set the scene) doing some work when I got a call from a friend (and now colleague Tom) asking if I was interested in speaking with his boss regarding a possible job. Out of interest I accepted and Alex, Unifrog’s co-founder, setup a Skype call to show me what exactly Unifrog was.

At the end of the call, Alex asked me for an answer. In my mind I already knew I was going to say yes but I didn’t want to look overly keen and asked for a few days to consider his offer. The next day, I called Alex to accept and made my way to the old office in Bethnal Green on the Saturday afternoon to start training for the following week - dedication!

Seeing how fantastic Unifrog is for supporting kids to make the right choice, to really broadening their horizons and how they can make their aspirations a reality is what sold the job to me. When I joined the army, I wasn’t aware of half the options available to me. I made a naive decision at 15 without really considering all my options. So you could say what made me want to work for Unifrog is the fantastic product, Alex and Coralie’s vision and my own experiences from having made uninformed decisions!

What do you do to unwind?

I love spending time with my beautiful daughter Raya and dog Baxter (yes, named after the dog in Anchorman)! Whether it’s family days out or just a walk with a pit stop to the park. A simple walk will be the best thing ever, with Raya jumping up and down in muddy puddles (all parents will be able to relate). Other than spending time with family, I’ll have the occasional day out with friends watching football - from the lunch time kick off to the evening kick off and every match in-between!

Rebecca Scannapieco, Partner Management Lead

What made you apply to work at Unifrog?

Without wanting to sound cliché, I knew I would have loved to have access to the platform when I was at school. It makes thinking about and researching your next destination so much easier as a student! Having gained more knowledge of the platform, I know given the chance again, I would have applied to some universities abroad. I also love that the platform has made such a big impact for students and knowing that I’m a part of that is so rewarding.

What did you learn working at Zara that has helped you in this role?  

Working in Zara in my previous job definitely taught me a few things! I was able to improve on my communication skills, multi-tasking and also learning new systems and programmes. Unifrog is constantly changing and so being able to learn a new system quickly comes in handy. And working in an office means I can finally put all my clothes that I have accumulated whilst working at Zara to good use!

What’s your favourite thing about talking to teachers every day?

Whether I’m onboarding new schools, helping teachers with admin related queries or guiding them through how to use the platform, it’s always really satisfying to know that we are making their job that little bit easier! We tend to speak with the same teachers on a regular basis which is really nice as it makes it more personal. It’s always nice to have a chat with teachers about how they're getting on, and it's fun to speak with teachers from all over the UK - I especially love a Geordie accent!

Which actor would you get to play you in the movie of your life and why?

Anna Kendrick because like her, my singing is Pitch Perfect (although Samar might say otherwise).

Robyn Smith, Account Manager

What does a day in the life of an Account Manager look like?

It's tricky to say what an average day looks like as an Account Manager; no two are remotely the same! Some days I'll be travelling from my home in Newcastle upon Tyne far and wide to Glasgow, York or the Lake District; other days I'm at home with my Jack Russell Terrier Elsie, taking calls and answering emails. Occasionally you'll find me at Unifrog HQ in London.

How has your previous experience as a Barber helped you in this role?

Surprisingly, not many teachers are up for having their hair cut while I'm delivering a Unifrog training session. In all seriousness, my experience as a Barber and business owner has taught me how to really listen to the needs of clients, and come up with solutions to long-suffered and common challenges.

As well as being an Account Manager, you look after the Resources library. Which is your favourite resource?

I really love coming up with new and engaging ways for schools and colleges to deliver their careers education, so creating lesson plans for our Resources library is perfect for me. I built much of my previous career as a Barber on networking, and I believe the art of conversation is an important skill to possess, so it would have to be the ‘World of work: Professional networking’ resource. It's suitable for all students and gives many students an experience they haven't had before.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

I'd start at the gym then grab a coffee to catch up with friends. Then I’d join my husband, daughter and dog on a walk along one of the beautiful Northumberland beaches (Bamburgh is my favourite), before coming back to Newcastle for a Sunday roast with our whole family.

Sophie Oulton, Area Manager

What does a day in the life of a Unifrog Area Manager look like?

Normally an early start! I work with about 170 schools and colleges across North London, Essex and Suffolk, so I'm often up early to reach somewhere in time for a 9am meeting. Most of my time is spent meeting staff and discussing their goals for careers, and we work out how they can achieve them with Unifrog. I also meet with schools who aren't yet using Unifrog, to talk through how the platform could suit them, and then help them get set up with it. 

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Problem solving. I work with lots of different types of schools, who run things in a variety of ways. A big part of my job is adapting Unifrog usage to suit them best, and to make sure it has real impact in every school.

I also love public speaking, which I'm lucky enough to do lots of at the various conferences I attend, or CPDs I run, throughout the year.

How would you describe the culture at Unifrog?

Supportive. We now have about 35 people in the team and we're based all across the country, but we constantly check in with each other to see how we're all getting on, and what we can share from our days.. whether it's best practice, interesting news we've heard that day, or tweets that have made us laugh!

What would your superpower be?

Always managing to pin the tail on the donkey.

Vikki Garner, Head of Account Management

What do you find most exciting about working at Unifrog?

So many things! I would probably have to say new developments and the impact they have on schools and students. It's super exciting when you’ve had an idea yourself, or heard about one from the team or a partner school, and then see it develop into a new tool. We always ask a few of our partners to test out new tools, and seeing their reactions as they realise how much of a difference it's going to make to either their CEIAG tracking and management, or opportunities for their students, is equally as exciting as the initial idea.

What part of your job do you find most challenging?

I support the Account Management and Partner Success Teams, and with 2,000 partners to look after, every day is super busy. Our partners provide us with amazing feedback, from how fantastic they're finding the platform to the barriers they have in delivering CEIAG in their schools. I love hearing about these barriers and helping the teams to support our partners to overcome them. I suppose you could say it's our partner schools' challenges that become mine, and I love the challenge of finding the perfect solution. 

Has previous experience as a teacher served you well in this role?

Absolutely! I've had first hand experience of the difficulties when it comes to planning and delivering careers, whether that be a shortage of allocated time, making sure students have the right information for their chosen pathway, trying to create lessons which capture their imagination and raise their aspirations, the list goes on! But it's these experiences - those of the team and of our partner schools - that drive everything we do at Unifrog.  

If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?

This is a tricky one. I'd have to say Rosa Parks. I'd love to go back in time to watch her make a stand against racism through simply sitting on a bus. That one act sent shockwaves through America and earned her the title of ‘the first lady of civil rights’. A phenomenal woman!