How to contact us
We'd love to hear
from you.
We have offices in Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Paris, Bogota, Edinburgh and London.
UK HQ
Brickfields, Unit 215, 37 Cremer Street, E2 8HD
International HQ
33-35 Hillier St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Already know who to talk to?
Use the email addresses below to contact them directly.
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Abbie Moir
akelly@unifrog.org -
Afeni Ohiro
afeni@unifrog.org -
Alex Kelly
alex@unifrog.org -
Alex Smith
alexandra@unifrog.org -
Alyssa El-Shamma
alyssa@unifrog.org -
Amanda Pierce
amanda@unifrog.org -
Amy McCord
amy@unifrog.org -
Andy McMullan
andy@unifrog.org -
Angelica Bongat
angelica@unifrog.org -
Annabel McDonald
annabel@unifrog.org -
Arash Khosravi
arash@unifrog.org -
Ashley Walshe
ashley@unifrog.org -
Caroline Collins
caroline@unifrog.org -
Cassie Ruddock
cassie@unifrog.org -
Catarina Rodrigues
catarina@unifrog.org -
Catherine Twomey
catherine@unifrog.org -
Catrina Dorrell
catrina@unifrog.org -
Charis Maguire
charis@unifrog.org -
Charley Fowler
charley@unifrog.org -
Charlotte Constable
charlotte@unifrog.org -
Charlotte Hu
charlottehu@unifrog.org -
Chris Edwards
chris@unifrog.org -
Claire Crease
clairecrease@unifrog.org -
Claire Masterson
claire@unifrog.org -
Clare Stevenson
clare@unifrog.org -
Connie Wong
connie@unifrog.org -
Coralie Colmez
coralie@unifrog.org -
Courteney Hawkins-Fowler
courteney@unifrog.org -
Dan Seamarks
danielseamarks@unifrog.org -
Dan Wayte
danwayte@unifrog.org -
Daniel Keller
daniel@unifrog.org -
Dave Nicholson
dave@unifrog.org -
Elizabeth Verner-Pollard
elizabeth@unifrog.org -
Ellis Joseph
ellis@unifrog.org -
Emily Adkins
emilyadkins@unifrog.org -
Emily Ferber
emilyferber@unifrog.org -
Emily Kay
emilykay@unifrog.org -
Emma Tonkin
emma@unifrog.org -
Farhana Somani
farhana@unifrog.org -
Gemma Neale
gemma@unifrog.org -
Georgia Chapman
georgia@unifrog.org -
Greg Brown
greg@unifrog.org -
Hamza Yusuf
hamza@unifrog.org -
Helen Clifford
helen@unifrog.org -
Imogen Hepworth
imogenhepworth@unifrog.org -
Ishmael Roslan
ishmael@unifrog.org -
Jack Mead
jack@unifrog.org -
Jack O'Keefe
jackokeefe@unifrog.org -
Jacob Lovick
jacob@unifrog.org -
Jacqui Hogan
jacqui@unifrog.org -
Jane Twine
jane@unifrog.org -
Jen Carter
jen@unifrog.org -
Jess Wells
jess@unifrog.org -
John Hillis
john@unifrog.org -
Josie Allison
josie@unifrog.org -
Julia Jaworska
julia@unifrog.org -
Julia Valdemarca
julia.valdemarca@unifrog.org -
Kai Feltham
kai@unifrog.org -
Kate Garlick
kate@unifrog.org -
Kathryn Donnelly
kathryn@unifrog.org -
Kelly Lake
kelly@unifrog.org -
Khadija Jackson
khadija@unifrog.org -
Kim Anderson
kim@unifrog.org -
Lauren Uddin-Moss
lauren@unifrog.org -
Leah Broadstock
leah@unifrog.org -
Lizzie Brennan
lizzie@unifrog.org -
Logan Wilcox
logan@unifrog.org -
Lucy Lundstrom
lucy@unifrog.org -
Luke Ellmers
luke@unifrog.org -
Lydia Derbyshire
lydia@unifrog.org -
Matthew Jones
matthew@unifrog.org -
Megan Soley
megan@unifrog.org -
Mhairi Drysdale
mhairi@unifrog.org -
Michelle Butterworth
michelle@unifrog.org -
Mitchell Purnell
mitch@unifrog.org -
Nicolas Weir
nick@unifrog.org -
Pam Gardner
pam@unifrog.org -
Param Patel
param@unifrog.org -
Polina Andreeva
polina@unifrog.org -
Rebecca Scannapieco
rebecca@unifrog.org -
Rida Wasim
rida@unifrog.org -
Rob Cannings
rob@unifrog.org -
Robert Harries
robharries@unifrog.org -
Robyn Langdon
robynlangdon@unifrog.org -
Samar Shah
samar@unifrog.org -
Scott Blake
scott@unifrog.org -
Shameel Wahid
shameel@unifrog.org -
Sheri Barnett
sheri@unifrog.org -
Siân Phillips
sian@unifrog.org -
Simon Warner
simon@unifrog.org -
Siri Minsaas
siri@unifrog.org -
Sofia Hammond
sofia@unifrog.org -
Stephen Rodwell
stephen@unifrog.org -
Tamsin Davis
tamsin@unifrog.org -
Thomas Ayling
thomas@unifrog.org -
Tim Bodey
timbodey@unifrog.org -
Tom Yeaman
tom.y@unifrog.org -
Vikki Garner
vikki@unifrog.org -
Yoanne Tong
yoanne@unifrog.org -
Zoe Long
zoe.long@unifrog.org -
Zoe Mackenzie
zoe@unifrog.org
SO WHAT ARE WE REALLY LIKE?
Here's a closer look at some Unifroggers
Nicolas Weir, International and HE Partnerships Director
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!
Samar Shah, Head of UK Partner Success
Describe your role
I’m the first point of contact at Unifrog for the majority of schools so, if they have problem or want something updated or changed, they come to me and I help get it sorted.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
Any superhero who can fly and get to places really quickly! I’d love to visit sunny destinations whenever I feel like it...
What does an average day as a customer success lead look like?
On a typical day I’ll come into the office, respond to emails, and make sure any other project work is progressing smoothly. I also answer the phones and help the rest of the team out whenever I can.
What advice would you give to your schoolgirl self?
Not to stress! I’d tell my schoolgirl self not to worry about the small stuff as it won’t actually matter that much in five years’ time - ignore the drama and hit the books instead.
What do you like the most about your role?
I love that my role can be really varied at times. Although the majority of day-to-day tasks are similar, the project work is very diverse. Also, I get to speak to a lot of teachers on a daily basis and find out how Unifrog is benefiting them, which makes me feel good!
Abbie Moir, Video Editor
How has your background in social media and editing helped you in this role?
I've been lucky in the fact that I've had a lot of creative jobs! I've been a social media manager for an artisan bakery. This meant following the bakers around the bakery with a camera and making "Meet the Staff" videos! I've also been an Assistant Editor at VICE News for two years, and this meant working on (name drop alert) EMMY Award-nominated documentaries! Being a social media manager taught me how to get people to smile in front of the camera, and VICE taught me how to edit people in front of the camera!
What does an average day as a video editor look like?
I start off by watching the footage we have and then writing down any REALLY good bits where I can add a snazzy graphic on top, or a cool bit of editing. My brain likes rhythm, so cutting a piece that has a lot of different shots to a beat is my favourite! After lunch, I usually have a call with Thom or Cat who are in my team, to catch up and to look at our work so far (as well as boost each other's egos when it comes to our editing!)
A genie gives you three wishes—what are they?
1. I don't own my house but when I do, I would like an outdoor pizza oven with unlimited pizza making supplies. (Pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Yes please!)
2. This is a very niche one, but I want my handwriting to look as if I'm an Edwardian lady is writing letters to her rich mother. Those cursive o's, the italics – that's the dream!
3. One Direction to come back and for me to get front row seats at their fancy dress comeback tour on Halloween night (you said I could have ANY wish...)
What's the best joke you know?
A cat walks into a library. "I'd like two tins of tuna and a can of coke."
Librarian says, "This is a library."
Cat says (whispering): "I'd like two tins of tuna and a can of coke."
Afeni Ohiro, Events Assistant
Describe your role at Unifrog
As Events Assistant, I would say I'm the logistical backbone of our team. I handle equipment orders, packing, and email correspondence and all at once! I work closely with the team to plan and organise events seamlessly. It's a rewarding role where I get to blend professionalism with a genuine sense of enjoyment in what I do.??
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work??
What gets me up and going every morning is the chance to work for an organisation that's all about levelling the playing field for students. It's not just about the events I help organise or the tasks I tackle; it's about being part of something bigger. Knowing that I'm contributing to creating opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, fuels my passion for what I do.?
If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose and why??
If I could meet a celebrity it would most definitely be BEYONCE! She is simply the queen of music in my eyes!
How would your friends describe you??
My friends would probably describe me as a total drama queen, passionate, vibrant, ambitious, and warm-hearted.
Alex Kelly, Co-Founder
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
I actually love work, so I always spring out of bed! I'm also addicted to coffee, so the thought of making my first cup is another big motivation.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
When we first started Unifrog, Coralie and I did pretty much every task there was going, and there were some that I was terrible at (I'm thinking especially of the quarterly VAT return); my job has got a lot better since we've hired wonderful people who are good at the things I'm bad at.
My role at Unifrog now is just product development - improving and creating the tools on the platform. I find it so satisfying to go from an idea for a new tool or a way to improve an existing part of the platform, to designing something that I think people will find intuitive and useful. I work closely with Coralie, my co-founder, and Stu our lead programmer, who often knock my initial designs into shape with their more practical minds. I think the most challenging thing about my job now is that it's much quicker to come up with new product ideas than it is to deliver them, so I have to manage my own eagerness to add new things to the platform.
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
I think everyone should watch ‘The Game Changers’, a documentary that argues that we eat far too much meat. I'm not saying everything in it is superb science, but all the same, watching it changed my life for the better!
What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
My ideal day would start with having had eight hours of excellent sleep, then I'd do a mixture of hanging out with Coralie, making and drinking lots of coffee, doing some sport with friends, eating with friends, and maybe even a party with some dancing. It's hard to do two of these days in a row because the partying normally ruins the eight hours of sleep for the next day. If I can't have a day like this, just give me two hours of surfing in Mexico and I'll be very happy!
Alex Smith, Account Manager
What gets you out of bed in the morning to start work?
The things that get me out of a bed are a loud alarm clock, a cup of tea made with two tea bags, and the feeling that I'm going to spend my day helping people to help other people!
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
From a teacher's point of view, I love the ability to log Interactions. I have seen this put to so many creative uses, by Heads of Year, Tutors, Careers Leads, in PSHE, and so on. Its capacity to keep both students and teachers in the loop is phenomenal. When fully utilised, it does so much of the record-keeping that we know teachers need!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would have to choose a roast dinner. Yes, it's one meal, but you can mix it up! But I'd always have it with horseradish sauce.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Assume nothing. Always politely check.
Alyssa El-Shamma, New Partnerships Lead
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
Before Unifrog I was a tutor, and my students came from many different schools around the area. I was surprised to notice a lot more excitement and optimism in the students whose schools used Unifrog. I would sometimes catch them chatting about their aspirations and laughing about their ‘personality frogs’. So, I made the (brilliant) decision to join Unifrog so that I can spend my days reaching out to schools across the world, and growing the Unifrog community on a global scale!
How has your background in tutoring helped you in this role?
There are many ways my background in tutoring has helped me in this role. I think most importantly, it gave me perspective. I know how difficult it is to instil confidence in young minds, and I also know how overwhelming the world can seem after school. Unifrog helps both educators and students in countless ways, and this fuels my determination to find new partner schools around the world.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Without a doubt, my meal of choice would have to be Pad Thai. I love that Thai dish so much that I ate it nearly every day for three months without getting tired of it. I have even forced myself to get used to spicy food just so I can handle the red chilli on top - sad I know, but it has to be authentic!
What's your karaoke song?
If anyone with super cool music taste is reading this, then my karaoke song is definitely ‘House of the Rising Sun’ or something like that (but truthfully, I’d never say no to ABBA or High School Musical).
Amy McCord, Graphic Designer
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
If I’d had the tools available to me that Unifrog provides I think it would have made figuring out my life path much less stressful! I think it’s so important that young people have the information on the platform available to them, and in a variety of accessible ways, so they feel empowered to make the choices that feel right to them. I’m motivated by the idea that what I’m creating not only makes things more accessible, but hopefully makes people smile as well!
How has your background in TEFL helped you in this role?
Working with young people from lots of different cultures and walks of life has been a wonderful and an eye-opening process, but it also meant I saw a lot of inequality and frustrating barriers that people had to face. I think being made aware of these things make my design and artwork choices more empathetic.
What's at the top of your bucket list?
My brother bought me a skydive for my birthday but I’m yet to do it! So I have to get on that. I also really want to go to Japan.
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
I just love ‘The Lion King’! I think it affected so many of my life choices: the gorgeous animation inspired me to draw and create, the stunning landscapes made me want to travel. I also love cats, so there we go. I was adamant I was going to be a lion when I grew up until I was about six.
Andy McMullan, Employer Partnerships Manager
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
This might sound a little clichéd, but I really believe in Unifrog's mission. Having worked in HE for the best part of nine years, I've seen first-hand the advantages more privileged students have when they arrive at university, with a strong professional network through family and friends, and the benefit of some form of careers guidance early on. Those who haven't had the same level of support are playing catch up from day one. I wanted to join Unifrog to be a part of changing that narrative and supporting students earlier in life.
From a personal perspective, I wish I'd had access to something like Unifrog when I was at school. There was no career guidance or talk of other options, such as apprenticeships. I was someone who went to university because I didn't know what else to do and my school only supported this destination - although I think things worked out well in the end.
How has your background in relationship management and higher education helped you in this role?
My professional background has given me the knowledge and experience to work with employers from a variety of different sectors, and the skills to help them engage effectively with their target audience.
Prior to joining Unifrog I'd worked in the careers offices at The London School of Economics and the University of Essex, as well as in the Faculty of Business & Law at Anglia Ruskin University. During my time in HE, I have predominantly worked in an Employer Engagement capacity. I've been building relationships and partnerships with graduate employers to promote their opportunities; helping them develop and deliver skills and insights seminars; and supporting their strategic objectives regarding equality, diversity and inclusion. I have worked with many different organisations, from large multinationals to local SMEs, and I have learnt to develop solutions to their recruitment challenges. This experience I can now apply to Unifrog's employer partners, but with a focus on school/college students.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
My survival skills are fairly non-existent, therefore I think my items would all be about trying to enjoy my time on the island. With that in mind, I would like to take some sort of board, maybe a paddle board or surfboard, because even if I can't escape the island I can at least enjoy being in the water. I'd bring snorkelling gear so I can see all the amazing sea life, and maybe get lucky catching some fish. Lastly I think I'd bring some rum, to enjoy while watching the sunset on the water, and so I can pretend I'm a pirate cast ashore by his mutinous crew.
What's your coffee order?
If I can start the day with a flat white, I'm smiling. But I'm not really too precious about what type of coffee I drink, as long as it's strong.
Angelica Bongat, Area Manager (Asia)
What do you enjoy most about living and working in Hong Kong?
There are so many things I enjoy about Hong Kong! I love the ease of getting around; you can be on the beach or in the mountains or the city within 30 minutes, and there's so much to do. The city is also a vibrant mix of cultures with people from all over – not to mention the food scene is amazing!
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?
I really appreciate the emphasis on creating a collaborative environment that you can grow in. The company as a whole is so supportive of its employees, whether it's by providing extra learning resources or workshops, or even weekly yoga sessions. They've also been the best bunch of people to work with and everyone is so nice and friendly.
Who was your childhood hero?
My mom was my hero! She's always been very supportive of my interests and hobbies growing up and allowed me to grow into them. She also lived in Hong Kong for almost 20 years and is a big part of why I decided to move here.
What gives you energy?
I get a lot of energy from exploring new interests. I like trying out new things and it's especially great when you find something new to enjoy. I recently started diving after getting my PADI open-water diving license and discovering new diving destinations has been really exciting!
Annabel McDonald, Teaching Resources Creator and Careers Guidance Specialist
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you're working remotely?
My team are spread all over the country, and we all work 100% remotely. Before Unifrog, I worked as a Careers and HE Adviser in an independent school in London; I wasn't used to working remotely at all! Initially, I was worried about how it would feel, but I was surprised by how easy it was to adjust.
We use Slack to keep in touch throughout the day. It's great for collaborating on ideas and keeping in touch socially. We also have regular 1:1s and team feedback sessions on Google Meets, and we'll jump on a call for the things that are easier to chat about over the phone. I love our fortnightly team feedback sessions involving a development focus, sharing best practices and collaborating on ideas and projects. It's weird to think I've never met my team in person, considering how well we work together!
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
I was diagnosed with a disability called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a type of dysautonomia (dysfunction of the autonomic system). The simplest way to explain it is that blood doesn't always get to my heart and brain like it should. As a result, it can cause a whole host of 'fun' symptoms like fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, and very low blood pressure.
I can work around POTS 90% of the time because I work from home part-time and can be flexible with my hours. However, it becomes challenging when it comes to team days because POTS symptoms can fluctuate and be unpredictable; I often can't travel independently for long distances. I'm lucky that 90% of the time, I don’t find POTS is an issue in the workplace, and my team are fantastic at being super inclusive and considerate.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet the composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manual Miranda. I'm a huge fan of his work, specifically In The Heights and Hamilton (but who doesn't love Moana and Encanto too)! I love playing the piano, singing, and musical theatre so I'd want to pick his brains for his musical and writing process, how he coped with people telling him that Hamilton would never be a hit, and his favourite song from Hamilton. I'd also want to know what projects he has coming up next!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
As a qualified Level 7 careers adviser, I'd go back to my younger self and give myself more informed careers advice. I was told that I was too academic to take certain subjects, and ended up going down a route for A level that didn't align with my genuine interests. I took a gap year to reassess what I wanted to do and ended up really enjoying my time at the university.
I'd go back and reassure myself that you don't need to know exactly what you're going to do at age 14, 15, or 16, and whatever choices you make do not mean they're the only career decisions you're going to make for the rest of your life. You can have many careers in your life, and you should reframe thinking about careers as a 'journey' where you'll pivot and reassess as you react to how life evolves for you. This couldn't be more true after I had to reassess my ways of working after being diagnosed with POTS.
Arash Khosravi, Sponsorships and Impact Lead
Describe your role
The role of Sponsorships and Impact Lead involves bringing together employers and HE providers with schools to provide Unifrog to as many schools as we can, regardless of their financial circumstances. My role also involves keeping track of our work around Levelling the Playing Field (supporting disadvantaged students to make the right post school choices for them) and maximising the impact we are having.
Fun fact: this is my second role at Unifrog! You may recognise me as being an International Partnerships Manager previously before I took a career break for six months to go travelling.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
There are so many to choose from! It’s probably the Webinars tool though - I really like the fact that we are doing student facing webinars. This is such a great avenue for us to share information, give students exposure to universities, and help them find out everything they need to know - sometimes about things they’ve never even thought about! I really love the fact that over the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve rolled out webinars to help students in new ways.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
While in New Zealand in December 2022, we arrived in the city of Napier where one of my favourite artists was performing on the day we arrived: Jack Johnson. We didn't know he was performing until we arrived so we didn't have tickets booked. We did manage to find some tickets last minute (literally the hour before!) and managed to go to his outdoor concert which was incredible! He was definitely a bucket list artist for me to see live and it seemed it was fate that everything worked out to be able to see him, which I'll never forget!
What's your party trick?
This has got to be my Rubik’s cube trick - I can solve them in under a minute. I’d always wanted to learn how to solve them and I had spare time on my hands in my first year of uni, so I got on YouTube and kept practising until I got it right. It took me about a month to learn and my personal best is 56 seconds - it always goes down well when I show it off!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was an only child growing up so didn’t have much entertainment - I got obsessed with video games. This was back when you played games off of floppy disks and it was all really new technology. All I wanted to do was be a computer games tester - for someone who spent their whole childhood playing computer games, playing games everyday forever sounded like the dream! Ready Player One would have been my dream world! Computer games testing wasn’t really a thing when I was growing up and it didn’t feel serious enough to be a career - it’s different now, but back then gaming was definitely more of a hobby than a career.
Ashley Walshe, HE Partnerships Manager
What does a day in the life of an HE Partnerships Manager look like?
My days are spent reaching out to new universities both in the UK and across the world, showing them our incredible platform; working on performance reports for our partner universities and identifying key ways our insights can inform their strategy; and planning opportunities - like webinars - for our universities to meaningfully engage with our Unifrog community.
What do you like the most about your role?
I really enjoy getting to know what a university’s priorities are and figuring out how we can support them in achieving these goals. I also love that I get to interact with a diverse range of people, from Paris to Plymouth or Sheffield to Stirling.
What was your favourite subject at school and why?
Definitely drama: I’ve always been a bit of a performer and love theatre, literature, and the creative arts. When I was younger, I would always choreograph and perform my own dance shows for my family at Christmas.
What would your perfect weekend look like?
Pre-pandemic it would involve going out for a few drinks or a gig on Friday night, then making the most of Saturday by getting out of the city for a bike ride or a hike. I like to have a pretty lazy Sunday - maybe meet some friends for a dog walk before rounding off the weekend with a lovely Sunday roast.
Caroline Collins, Head of Employer Partnerships
Describe your role at Unifrog
As Head of Employer Partnerships, I reach out to both national and international employers showcasing the Unifrog platform and helping them to raise their brand awareness with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. I plan different opportunities in which students can engage with employers, such as webinars, and help collect information from our employer partners to populate the Know-how library, our Special opportunities tool, and our Apprenticeship tool. It’s a very exciting time to start this role as it’s a brand new part of Unifrog, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this area develops and the employer partnerships we create!
How has your background in social enterprise and higher education helped you in this role?
Before starting at Unifrog, I worked as a Partnership and Engagement Manager at Enactus UK, a youth social enterprise charity which works with university students. My role involved building and delivering partnership plans to ensure that the corporate sponsors achieved return on investment. This role involved exciting opportunities such as working with Amazon’s Black Employee Network to build 1:1 mentoring opportunities, creating virtual work experience weeks with Schroders, building grant funding opportunities with SAP and Sodexo, and helping to change Unilever’s graduate recruitment processes based on Enactus student feedback. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with the Careers and Employment Service at the University of Derby.
Both experiences have built my awareness of employability skills, which are vital for the world of work, and what activities I can create with partner employers to help young people build these. I’m excited to bring my experience to Unifrog and continue to support young people to make the best decision about their future.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
It would definitely be Helen Bonham Carter! With all of the incredible films she has been in like ‘Harry Potter’, ‘The King’s Speech’ and the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, she’s bound to have some brilliant stories to tell!
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
I'd recommend watching ‘Monuments Men’. It's an absolutely incredible film with George Clooney, John Goodman and Bill Murray to name a few. It's about seven museum directors, curators, and art historians from the Allied Forces coming together in an effort to protect, recover, and return priceless artefacts damaged or looted by the German army in World War II and is based on a true story. Make sure you add it to your must-see list!
Cassie Ruddock, Data Maintenance Lead
Describe your role
My job is to make sure that all the information we have for our students is up to date, relevant, accurate, and as interesting as possible. On a day-to-day basis I perform regular checks on the live information that changes regularly, like work experience opportunities, and our immense Read Watch Listen catalogue. I’ve also been looking at South Korean and Croatian university courses - I get to travel the world from the comfort of my desk! I love working in a methodical, structured way, so this job suits me down to the ground.
How has your background in education helped you in this role?
Before I came to Unifrog, I worked at a sixth form college and university in the learning support team. Working directly with students was lovely and gave me a useful insight into what teenagers and young people deal with when they make decisions about their futures - it can be so difficult having so many options and not knowing where to go or what would fit. It’s helped me understand what will be most useful for students, and shown me how the tools we have are so useful. The Personality profile, for example, that breaks down elements of careers and pathways to help students make decisions, is so brilliant!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza! I just don’t get bored of it: the rich, sweet tomato sauce, the melty cheese, some spicy jalapenos, mushrooms, bell peppers, and an indulgent stuffed crust. Mmmmmm.
What book do you always recommend to other people?
I always recommend the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, and the Tiffany Aching story arc in particular. He writes really well-rounded characters, especially women - they’re angry and complex and speak to each other about things other than men! He has a way of making the characters feel real despite the dragons and magic.
Where is the best place you've ever travelled to? Why is it the best?
Scotland. I come from East Anglia which is beautiful, but very flat! Scotland has the most dramatic, beautiful scenery; it’s like the Lake District doubled in height! The West Coast is my favourite - I got married in Fort William so I’m biased! - but it has white sand beaches and gets so warm in the summer. I would definitely recommend taking the steam train from Fort William to the coast - the scenery is beautiful, you can order a cream tea, and you go over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
I've actually moved to Scotland and now I'm 10 mins away from the nearest loch meaning I can go on beautiful hikes and cycle rides whenever I want.
Catarina Rodrigues, Head of Video
Describe your role at Unifrog
As Head of Video I’m responsible for producing, filming, and editing video content for the Careers, Subjects, and Know-how libraries alongside our talented content team!
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
My favourite part of the day is my morning walk to the office, where I mentally go over the list of things I have to do. I appreciate the tall buildings reflecting the sunrise light, and the faces that greet me at the office with a huge smile. A new day begins!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up in a big family meant having lots of kids around that I could convince to participate in my amateur short films - from remakes of High School Musical to mobster stories.
My dream has always been to direct films and I’m incredibly grateful that I get to live my dream whilst helping people achieve theirs.
Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?
This is an easy one to answer - definitely teleport! You don’t mess with time travelling, unless you’re Hermione of course. I would love to be able to visit my family and friends around the world at the bat of an eye!
Catherine Twomey, Junior Product Manager
What does an average day as Junior Product Manager look like?
My role is to support the team in adding the most possible value to the platform through the projects we’re working on. So day to day, that can mean scaffolding out projects, hashing out the details, or mocking up designs of what they’ll look like, designing them in a way in which they’ll have the most impact. It’s super varied as I’m working across so many different parts of a project. I can be writing emails, creating documents and plans, jumping on calls, analysing feedback… I love the variety.
How has your background in ed tech helped you in this role?
I’ve worked at both a company making education resources for university students, and one supporting primary school students to access tutoring. Your primary role as a product manager is to understand your users, so from these experiences, I feel like I can understand the problems students might face from an ed tech perspective across those different age groups. This role sits nicely in the middle, working on projects for students aged 11-18.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have a feeling I’d love Canada, but I’ve never been! So I’d probably live on the west coast of the US. Sunshine does wonders for my mood and I don't speak any languages other than English unfortunately, so I think I’d settle in nicely there. Plus it has such good access to national parks, great restaurants, and big open spaces.
Who was your childhood hero?
I was very sporty as a kid. Once, I was off school sick for two weeks, and that time off coincided with the Sydney Olympics, so I got obsessed with athletics. Back in school, we were asked to paint our hero at the time, so I painted (UK runner) Paula Radcliffe. I also remember (Australian runner) Cathy Freeman wearing an all-in-one hooded suit and I thought that was the coolest thing.
Catrina Dorrell, Internal Communications and Events Lead
Describe your role at Unifrog
As the Internal Communications and Events Lead, my role is to develop and implement Unifrog’s internal communications strategy, making sure that everyone at the company stays well-informed, and optimising the way our employees communicate with one another. I’m also responsible for organising and executing all of Unifrog’s internal events, such as whole company team days and regular office socials, to make sure our team has some well-deserved fun alongside all the amazing work they do!
How has your background in psychology and human resources helped you in this role?
I think that my background in psychology and human resources has given me a lot of insight into different communication styles, and that so many aspects of a business depend on good communication between employees/teams. I love getting to know other people, so I tend to be quite in-tune with what teams want out of company events, and what adjustments I need to make so that everyone can have a good time.
What book do you always recommend to other people?
I am a big book lover, and have a mile-long list of books I could recommend. But I think that my most recommended book is ‘The Trauma Cleaner’ by Sarah Krasnostein, which is a biography of Sandra Pankhurst’s extraordinary life. It’s one of those books that has stuck with me for its ability to make me laugh and cry!
How would your friends describe you?
I think that my friends would describe me as loyal, a good listener, and a dog lover. I’m very protective of the people I love and always have words of advice should my friends need some – and I am absolutely obsessed with dogs!
Charis Maguire, Information Officer
Describe your role at Unifrog
My main responsibilities are making sure all the information we have on the tools is the most relevant and up to date. On a day-to-day basis this could be doing regular checks across the different tools and adding information when new data is released. I mainly work on the international university tools, so it’s interesting to get an insight into different universities around the world.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
The most challenging part of my job is keeping up to date with all the new data releases that need to be put on the platform. There can be many data points for each tool, and we need to make sure we show students and teachers the most recent and interesting information so they are able to benefit from it.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
I would bring a surfboard, so I can improve my skills and I feel it’s a practical thing to have on an island. I'd bring a speaker so I can play some throwbacks when morale is low.. and suncream, which is self-explanatory.
Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?
It would have to be to teleport. I love to travel, so to be able to be anywhere in the world in an instant would be a dream and make visiting friends so much easier.
I would be curious to time travel. I studied climate change so it would be interesting to see how things play out in the future.
Charley Fowler, Area Manager and UK Education Lead
What do you find most exciting about being a Unifrog Area Manager?
I love the excitement when a new partner school comes on board, and we have the first strategy meeting to establish their goals with the platform. It's exciting to help schools take a step back and think about what beneficial changes using Unifrog can bring to their CEIAG programme. Additionally, my partner schools are spread across the East of England and London, and I find it really exciting when I discover cute coffee shops in places that I never would have visited if it weren't for my job.
As our Gatsby Benchmark Champion, how do you help schools meet the benchmarks?
As Gatsby Champion, my role is to be as clued up as possible on all things CEIAG policy related. With my partner schools, I'll support them in various ways with this. Often, we'll go through their CEIAG plan with a fine-toothed comb comparing this with the DfE's guidance on meeting the benchmarks. Many of my partner schools are working towards achieving CEIAG awards, so I'll help them by applying my knowledge of how Unifrog relates to the benchmarks and the assessment frameworks for the awards they're applying for.
How has your background in teaching helped you in this role?
Before Unifrog, I was an RE teacher at a secondary school in Camden, London. Teaching gave me first hand experience of the challenges schools face in a variety of areas, as well as the positive impact good careers education can have on students. Teaching develops your resilience and your ability to empathise with others. All of these things drive me to do a really good job of supporting my partner schools as an Area Manager. I enjoy addressing the variety of issues my schools face relating to careers and destinations, and I love celebrating their successes using Unifrog to combat these.
What’s your favourite song and why?
Tough question! I'm all for a girl power anthem. ‘Fighter’ by Christina Aguilera is one of my faves.
Charlotte Hu, Marketing Lead
What does an average day in your role look like?
I'm quite new to Unifrog and am already enjoying how varied my role can be. On a typical day, I could be writing engaging emails to teachers and counselors, developing marketing materials to support outreach, looking after the community on our social media channels, or helping out at one of our brilliant events.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
The psychometric testing tools are so clever. I had a go at putting in my own interests, personality traits, and skills to see if I've chosen the right career path. Luckily I have, but having this resource when I was a student could have saved me many years of figuring it out!
What things do you spend money on unreasonably, but very satisfyingly?
Does my dog count? I don't want to add up how much I've spent on gourmet treats, grooming, and dog-friendly holidays over the last five years. This may or may not include a fancy walnut dog bed that he still refuses to sleep in.
Describe your dream burger, pizza, or taco!
I made a Korean-inspired cheeseburger recently that I was quite proud of. Two beef patties (marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and gochugaru) with melted cheese, gherkins, and rocket in a brioche bun, served with kimchi coleslaw, fries, and a maple-gochujang dip.
Chris Edwards, Head of UK Partnerships
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 ten 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!
Claire Crease, Marketing Lead
What gets you out of bed in the morning to start working?
I always try to get outside for a nice walk with a podcast before I sit down to work in the morning, so the idea of getting out in the fresh air is a good incentive! I live in Scotland though which means that my routine is regularly spoiled by the weather, and on those days, a big cup of coffee and a good breakfast does it for me.
What do you like most about your role?
I really like that I get to shout about all of the great work Unifrog is doing. The projects I'm involved in are so varied, and I appreciate that I get to mix critical thinking and strategy with more creative work. It's nice to flex both of those muscles at once!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is such a cruel question, but if I have to choose one thing, I'll go with meat-free 'pepperoni' pizza. I stopped eating meat eight years ago, but at that point, meat-free alternatives weren't quite there and I spent a while feeling deprived of good pizza toppings. Now that I'm able to get my hands on a good slice of 'meaty' pizza, it's my go-to.
What gives you energy?
Engaging with the arts in general gives me energy, but especially live theatre. The performing arts were a massive part of my life when I was growing up, to the extent that becoming a performer was a viable career choice for a while! Although it's not the path I chose for myself, seeing a live show still gives me such a buzz and always leaves me on a massive adrenaline high. I took a solo trip to London last year and, because I had no supervision, I saw about six shows in four days. I didn't sleep for weeks after that...
Claire Masterson, Course Writer
Describe your role
I'm lucky to be part of the content team and have taken on an exciting new role as a course writer. Courses are still a fairly new feature of the Unifrog platform and so hopefully my role will enable this feature to expand and grow! If courses are sponsored, then I'll communicate with the client and establish what they're hoping to achieve through the course. I'll then use the information they send through to us, as well as some of my own research, to start putting together an engaging course for students.
What's your favourite Unifrog quiz and why?
I enjoyed doing the Interests profile and found the result pretty spot on! I came out as mostly 'conventional' making me a good organiser and someone who enjoys working within a clear structure. This is definitely true - I find great satisfaction in organising things, whether it's a party, a weekend away, or a fun day out for my children. This was closely followed by 'artistic' which definitely appeals to my creative side. As a former teacher, my favourite part of the job was creating engaging lessons and thinking up new and exciting ways to get students learning. That's why my new role as a course writer is so exciting!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop worrying so much! I'm a big worrier and worry incessantly about everyone and everything. I would tell my younger self that worrying isn't going to change anything and to just enjoy life as it's happening.
Build the best ice cream sundae!
From the bottom up:
- crushed praline
- a scoop of hazelnut gelato
- a squeeze of salted caramel sauce
- a scoop of pistachio gelato
- a drizzle of rhubarb coulis
- a scoop of coconut gelato
- a sprinkle of caramelised nuts
Clare Stevenson, Account Manager
Describe your role
I haven't been at Unifrog for very long, but I've already received amazing training and support from the team. Essentially, my role is to enable partner schools and colleges in my region to maximise the value of their subscription to the platform. It's so important to understand each partner's specific goals and provide the necessary training, resources, and support to staff and students to help them achieve these.
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
I love the ethos of the organisation and it's mission to raise aspirations for all students, regardless of their background. I was the first person in my family to go to university back in the early 90s, and I wish I could have had even a fraction of the access to the information and support that Unifrog provides.
I love that Unifrog is a B Corp with an incredibly positive culture.
I also used the Placements tool during my previous role for a large secondary school, coordinating over 150 student placements for sixth form students each year. This element of the platform made such a difference to my workload, so I was confident it was a platform that I could really get behind, and I know its potential to be transformative in helping partners manage their entire careers programme.
What would your perfect weekend look like?
My perfect weekend would involve at least one lazy morning when I'm not on the clock. Also, my daughter has recently moved away to college, so time spent with her at weekends will be incredibly precious to me. I love country walks with my family and our Schnoodle Cooper, via a pub for lunch perhaps. I enjoy catching up with friends and the occasional concert or theatre trip.
Who was your childhood hero?
I was massively into George Michael and Wham when I was a child. I had posters plastered everywhere in my bedroom!
Connie Wong, Work Experience Lead
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
I’ve always wanted to work for an organisation that makes a social impact.
In the past, I have volunteered for the Manchester Science festival, where I helped explain the science behind some of the exhibits; and mentored disadvantaged primary school students. These experiences made me realise that I am particularly interested in the education and development of young people, and so I wanted to develop a career in that sector. This led me to discover Unifrog.
Having read up on how the Unifrog platform works, I found it to be a really great idea and I actually became a bit jealous of the students that have access to the platform. I wished that I, too, had had more support from teachers when I was making those big decisions in life. So, I think it’s really rewarding to be able to be part of all this and help get teachers engaged in these processes.
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
For me, it’s staying optimistic and spending a minute lying in bed trying to imagine how I will be having a wonderful day ahead. In that wonderful day, I will be having a great day at work where I will be able to help make a big difference in young people’s lives, and solve queries from teachers so that they are able to help their students as much as they can.
What about you surprises people when you tell them?
As I’m very petite and dislike getting into arguments, people are surprised when I tell them I am a black belt in Taekwondo.
Build the best ice cream sundae!
I love the smell of coffee, and so my ice cream sundae would definitely include two scoops of coffee ice cream, and probably two scoops of vanilla ice cream to mix it up a bit. It would then be topped with some Irish whipped cream and some caramel sauce. To finish off, I would add some almond flakes and chocolate curls to make it look even more delicious!
Coralie Colmez, Co-Founder
Describe your role
I'm one of Unifrog's founders, so over the years my role has included pretty much everything from Sales to Data analysis to HR. I've passed on all my management and leadership responsibilities to other people, so these days I get to spend all my time on what I like the most, which is developing the platform.
We look at ideas from wherever they come, including teachers and students at our partner schools and everyone in the team, and decide which ones we want to go forward with. I then work with Alex (the co-founder) and our lead programmer Stu to make them happen! I focus mostly on our products that involve using data, whether that's information from outside sources like UCAS or job market predictions, or usage stats from the platform.
What advice would you give young people?
Always ask yourself what it is that you really want, and then do that instead of doing what the world expects of you. And remember that the decisions you make are very rarely permanent, and you can change your mind and your life at any point.
What book do you always recommend to other people?
I love reading, so this could be a long list, but one of my favourites is ‘Station Eleven’ by Emily St John Mandel, which is about… a pandemic - so recently, people have been a lot less enthusiastic when I recommend it to them! Her writing gives the book an addictive other-worldly feeling, and it has a very lovely message about the importance of art.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
Sleeping in indecently late, sun all weekend, a good party, and the perfect level of hangover.
Dan Seamarks, Video Producer/Director
What's the most exciting thing about being a video producer and director?
The most exciting thing about my role is filming such a diverse range of people and locations. One week I could be at the Royal Opera House and the next, on a Navy aircraft carrier! I love hearing people’s stories and what it takes to do their roles.
What gets you out of bed in the morning to get started on work?
After a few snoozes of my alarm and a big cup of coffee, I’ll get cracking on organising shoots, editing footage, or travelling to shoots. I feel very lucky to say that I never have that Monday morning feeling, as I love my job and the variety it brings, therefore I always wake up looking forward to the day ahead!
Which actor would you get to play you in the movie of your life and why?
I’m a big fan of nostalgic, old-school films so it would have to be Robert De Niro or Marlon Brando. However, it's safe to say my life in film would be nothing like the films they’ve been in!
What’s your karaoke song?
Name any ABBA song…
Daniel Keller, CEO
Describe your role
I'm ultimately responsible for Unifrog's success, both in terms of our continued growth and when it comes to achieving our mission. This means I'm involved in lots of things from strategic decision making to company culture to managing our finances. There are always new challenges and ways we want to progress, which keeps things interesting.
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
Growing our organisation and having a positive impact, plus working with a fantastic team.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
I studied ancient history at university, which I really enjoyed, so someone from that period. Alexander the Great is a bit of an obvious choice but I'll go for him - he got quite a lot done before he died in his early thirties. He was tutored by Aristotle, conquered the massive Achaemenid Persian Empire, and got a ton of mileage in for a time when you'd only walk or travel on horseback - so I expect he'd have some good stories to tell.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
That's a tough one. Probably a weekend spent at a world class climbing venue with good friends and good weather. Lots of trying hard, getting a bit scared and plenty of caffeine. Ski touring in perfect powder condition would also be right up there. Essentially, if it involves coffee, the outdoors and a healthy dose of suffering then I'm happy.
Dave Nicholson, Account Manager
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
As one of a relatively small number of students at my secondary school who went onto university, I've always felt very aware that the platform needs levelling in terms of students being able to access resources to inspire their decisions for their future. When I became aware of Unifrog and what it offered, I felt slightly jealous I didn't have access to it myself at school age! I was very excited at the prospect of working with schools to offer the platform to their students and supporting them in doing that.
Describe your role at Unifrog
In general terms, I am responsible for trying to make sure that all our Partner Schools in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire (and slightly further afield!) can get the most out of Unifrog.
This means speaking to schools new to the system and helping them use the system to make their lives easier than before they started using Unifrog, and also working with longer term partners to ensure that they are maximising what Unifrog can offer them. This could be new features, an area of the platform they would like to use to support their Careers aims going forwards or simply refreshing them on something they might have already seen.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
I think I'd be Spiderman. Sometimes people get down on lil' Spidey because he can't do much apart from shoot webs and react quickly, but I'm a goalkeeper in football. so those reactions would definitely lead to me playing in goal for England. I think the web thing would be very useful for when I'm feeling lazy and want to grab something across the room. Being someone like Superman would be far too much pressure as well.
What's your favourite thing to do outside work?
I'm a big sports fan but I wouldn't honestly say I enjoy following York City FC these days. I love playing cricket on a warm summer day and having a few drinks afterwards. I am also a fan of quizzes - I do a lot of pub quizzes and am part of a quiz league - so I'm reasonably likely to be able to pluck some obscure knowledge out at any given moment. A weak claim to fame is that a clip of me went slightly viral when I appeared on Pointless on the BBC, and not for embarrassing reasons, fortunately.
Elizabeth Verner-Pollard, Area Manager
What do you like most about your role at Unifrog?
My favourite part would have to be the interactions with schools. I’m naturally curious, and relish meeting with new schools to understand their needs and challenges. I also find it hugely rewarding to support partners to get the best out of the Unifrog platform for each and every one of their students.
What motivates you to get out of bed for work?
What motivates me is the feeling that I am doing something worthwhile. I am part of an organisation that is helping to make a difference to the futures of young people by raising aspirations, removing barriers and widening participation. Oh, and a couple of wet noses and wagging tails beside the bed get me up bright and early.
What book do you always recommend people?
I always recommend ‘Wonder’ by R. J. Palacio. It’s a great book about the importance of kindness, and was the first novel my son chose to independently read - which can be quite an achievement for boys - and then re-read many times over. He loved the film too, but thought the book was better (a win!).
What advice would you give your younger self?
You are your biggest critic and are more capable than you believe. Besides, pretty much everyone else is winging it too! Take every opportunity to try new stuff to find your ‘thing’, and then do what YOU love - not what you think will please others. Also, almost nothing in life is permanent. If it doesn’t work out it is probably for a good reason (even if you can’t see it at the time) and a chance do something different. Above all: be brave.
Ellis Joseph, Partnerships Lead (Asia)
What's the most surprising thing you've learnt working at Unifrog?
Something that really surprised me how diverse my colleagues' work backgrounds are. People on our team have previously worked as teachers, content creators, and prison wardens! It's opened my eyes to the vast range of skills and experiences that can contribute to creating a positive impact, and I find it really inspiring.
Your team is based around the world – how do you make sure you keep in touch?
We’re flexible! Being spread across the world definitely comes with its challenges, but that’s nothing a little bit of technology can’t help with! We schedule most team meetings during overlapping working hours, and also understand that we sometimes need to adjust hours to accommodate for different time zones. It's a collaborative effort, and it works!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Finding my calling definitely took some exploration. As a child, my dream job went from Red Power Ranger to police officer, and then I had a doctor phase! Looking back, it seems the common theme was a desire to help others in some way. It's interesting how that's translated perfectly into my role at Unifrog, where I get to support the Unifrog mission of levelling the playing field for international students.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
My ideal weekend is a balance of activity and relaxation. Saturday would be a full-on adventure day. I might search for a challenging hike, or squeeze in a refreshing run to clear my head. Lazy Sundays are for relaxing and catching up with family.
Emily Adkins, Head of Teaching Resources
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
As a former teacher, I really wanted to stay working in the field of education. I used to enjoy creating teaching resources for myself and colleagues at school, and I am now doing that every day at Unifrog. I had used Unifrog with my own students, so I knew it was an incredibly useful platform to support students in pursuing their career aspirations. I was really excited by the opportunity to work for a company with a positive social impact and help level the playing field for students.
What does an average day as Head of Teaching Resources look like?
What I like best about my role is that no two days are the same, as I might be working on a leadership lesson one day and a marketing and product design course the next. I get to work on lots of exciting projects like the Careers Year Plan, PSHE Lesson Pack, skill development lessons, online courses, and virtual work experience. Providing and acting on feedback is a big part of the role too, to make sure our content is the very best quality for partner schools and colleges. I love reviewing the work of my colleagues and seeing their creative ideas come to life in lessons and courses!
What book do you always recommend to other people?
My background is in psychology so it has to be ‘Elephants on Acid and Other Bizarre Experiments' by Alex Boese. It’s a collection of weird and wonderful (and often unethical!) experiments that have been conducted in the name of science. It contains a summary of Stanley Milgram’s experiment, in which the majority of people followed orders to give a stranger an electric shock strong enough to kill them!
What's your karaoke song?
My ‘kitchen karaoke’ song is definitely ‘Naive’ by The Kooks. I’ve been known to play it several times on repeat whilst cooking. But I’m not sure I’d subject anyone to my singing voice outside of the house, no matter what the song was!
Emily Kay, HE Partnerships Manager
How has your background helped you in this role?
Previous to this role, I worked in the central team of Ark Schools supporting students across the network to secure, select, and succeed in their next steps. Having spent years trying to pull together all the data, we decided to use Unifrog across the network which was truly game changing! After that, I was an Operations Lead at Beam, an organisation supporting people experiencing homelessness to find work or a new home. Beam's service is really bespoke based on the needs of each area. A combination of my experience in education plus tailored partnership work has put me in a great position to support our university partners.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
I love the 'Recording what you've done' tools in Unifrog. In previous roles, I've had the opportunity to facilitate some absolutely amazing trips and guest speakers but often found students struggling to remember the details of these when they created applications. I have an absolutely terrible memory myself so I find this highly relatable! These tools helps log everything in one place.
What always surprises people when you tell them?
I took dance lessons between the ages of 6 and 16 years old and took part in several shows at Sheffield's Crucible theatre. My costume highlights included a fish in our under the sea show and a radish in Mr McGregor's garden for the Beatrix Potter show. I've since lost all my dance talent but I'm trying to work on my flexibility again.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't cut a full fringe. It won't work.
Farhana Somani, Head of International School Partnerships
Describe your role as an International Area Manager at Unifrog
My role is to introduce Unifrog to schools in Asia and help counselors and students at those schools get the most out of the platform. I'm from London, but I'm based in Hong Kong, so it's easy for schools in Asia to get personal Unifrog support whenever they need it.
What does a normal day look like?
It's a cliché, but one of the best things about my role is that no two days are the same. I might be in the office training counselors on a video call, visiting a school to launch Unifrog to students, or at a conference meeting counselors from all over Asia. I also chat to my team regularly to bounce ideas off them - even though we're scattered around the world, everyone is really supportive.
What do you enjoy most about living and working abroad?
Before getting this job I'd never been to Asia, so it's been amazing to explore new places on work trips and weekends - and try the food. My favourite trip so far has been to Vietnam, where I tried my first grilled frog!
Hong Kong is a really exciting place to live and I'm always learning new things about the city. My current challenge is to learn some more Cantonese so I can talk to taxi drivers.
What do you miss about home?
Nando's, my eyebrow lady, and complaining about the cold.
Gemma Neale, Head of UK Sales
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
I’ve known about Unifrog for a number of years and I’m really passionate about the mission to level the playing field for all young people. I’ve previously mentored some students who have used the platform to help them to make decisions for their future and it widened so many opportunities for them. It is also really exciting to be part of something that is constantly changing and adapting based on the needs of the schools we work with.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
This is very hard to choose! I love all the resources available on the Know-How library. Whether you want to learn about the costs involved for studying abroad, how to support your local community, or understanding how protests work… there’s all the information you could possibly need! I also would have loved to have access to the Special Opportunities tool when I was at school; it’s so useful to see all of the summer schools, scholarships, and internships in one place.
If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
It would be great to meet Jodie Comer. It’s amazing how she can master speaking in so many different accents. I’ve recently watched the National Theatre Live performance of ‘Prima Facie’; I was absolutely gripped all the way through.
What's your favourite pizza?
My all-time favourite would have to be the ‘Manca’ pizza (mozzarella, poached pears, honey, and gorgonzola) from my local pizza restaurant in Norfolk. But otherwise, anything with pineapple!
Georgia Chapman, People Assistant
Describe your role
As People Assistant, my work involves ensuring a smooth running operation for our employees. I do a range of things like booking hotels and team socials; maintaining our holiday, absence, and expenses records; updating our HR policies; and keeping our office supplies well stocked. I’m also here to answer any queries the team may have relating to our policies and operations.
What gets you out of bed in the morning to start working?
Knowing I have somewhere to be or something to do always gets me up in the morning. But working for Unifrog has been unlike any job I’ve had before, in that I really enjoy coming to the office because the company has such great values, which attracts genuinely great people. This makes it so much easier getting up in the morning!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
I'd choose Princess Diana, purely for fashion tips.
What's your karaoke song?
Oh no - I’ve never done karaoke! If forced, I think the best I could offer is a dodgy rendition of Sugababes - ‘About You Now’.
Greg Brown, HE Partnerships Manager
What does a good work day look like to you?
The great thing about working at Unifrog is that every day is different and we are constantly innovating! As a University Partnerships Manager I’m often travelling, so when not on the road at conferences or fairs 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 meeting with Unifrog partners, which requires me to be flexible with timing – I could be speaking with people in India in the morning, Europe at lunchtime and the USA in the evening!
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!
Hamza Yusuf, Junior Salesforce Business Analyst
Describe your role
Given how often Unifrog uses Salesforce day to day, it was really important to appoint someone who could support the data team and handle Salesforce queries from various departments within the organisation. As part of my role, I contribute a lot to our Slack channel about Salesforce, and serve as the primary point of contact for any Salesforce-related issues. Additionally, I'm responsible for generating comprehensive reports and dashboards, using data to derive valuable insights that will benefit the organisation.
What gets you out of bed in the morning to come to work (if you're coming into the office)?
Unifrog is far from ordinary – it's a company that demonstrates a profound commitment to the young people, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The organisation's mission is about levelling the playing field and making sure that all students, regardless of whether they attend independent or state schools, have equal access to opportunities.
I am deeply passionate about the work I do, as it enables me to contribute to the company's goal of empowering young people to make informed decisions about their futures. As I engage in various projects, I'm constantly reminded that my efforts are making a meaningful contribution to a company that is dedicated to making the world a better place. This sense of purpose serves as my daily motivation to get out of bed and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
If I could be any superhero, I'd say The Flash. The idea of being in different locations in a matter of seconds sounds amazing and I'd save money by never needing to take a flight or train!
What gives you energy?
Honestly, having a good diet and making sure I exercise often gives me energy.
Helen Clifford, Partner Success Lead
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
I had just finished a PhD and wanted to stay in the education sector, but move more towards outreach and access. I had only just started the job search but when the role with Unifrog came up I was really keen to apply, and it worked out really well! Unifrog’s social mission is really important to me, and I love feeling that I’m a little cog in an organisation that’s making a difference to people every day.
What does an average day as a Partner Success Lead look like?
Busy! We get lots of emails and calls to answer helping our partners to get the most out of Unifrog, as well as solving any tricky technical issues for them.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I can never say no to noodles, so I'd probably choose pad thai!
What’s your karaoke song?
I’m not a big karaoke person (don’t tell anyone), but I have learned from past experience that Uptown Girl is never a good choice because the chorus always goes on for far longer than you expect and requires some serious breath control!
Ishmael Roslan, Data Insights Analyst
Describe your role at Unifrog
I investigate key questions for Unifrog to solve problems or help others to make data-informed decisions. My day-to-day involves looking for patterns and trends in our company data and then discussing it with colleagues to ensure that Unifrog, and our partners, are taking the best steps to level the playing field.
How has your background in research and teaching helped you in this role?
In my early career, as a scientific researcher, I frequently made hypotheses, read articles, and designed and carried out experiments to (hopefully!) support them. In recent times as a teacher, I have had first hand experience of the platform, as a reference writer, and a Sixth Form tutor. This means that I understand what is useful to teachers and students, and how the platform could be improved.
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
I'm a huge fan of fantasy writing and so highly recommend ‘The Two Towers’ from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
What's top of your bucket list?
Although I'm a keen white water kayaker, I haven't done enough of it recently. I would love to take my wife on a kayaking expedition along the White Nile.
Jack Mead, Video Producer and Director
What does an average day as a video producer and director look like?
I'm quite new to the role, but I'll be going out on shoots quite often to university as well as partners located across the UK and beyond, directing our stars to give their best and most natural selves during the shoots, and capturing some (hopefully!) beautiful B-roll whilst we're at it. When not on shoots, we're in pre-production mode – onboarding new clients as well as organising and selecting the best footage before our amazing editors do their work.
How has your background in producing and directing helped you in this role?
Having been self employed, running my own small production company and simultaneously freelance filmmaker for other companies, I've had the opportunity (and necessity!) to do a bit of everything, from creative production to editing and even marketing and social media. So I think that's given me a lot of confidence to continue trying new things and always aiming to be creative and adaptive. Meeting new people and listening to their stories is the best bit of the job, so I can't wait to get out there on my first shoot very soon!
What's your favourite song and why?
Oh my, that's a difficult one! Sorry, too hard, but a shortlist? A Beatles song ('Get Back'? ‘In My Life’?), a motown song ('Try a Little Tenderness'? ‘Natural Woman’?) and a hip hop tune ('Juicy'? ‘Dead Presidents’?). Apologies, but a shortlist was still really hard!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't be too afraid to try things, go and see the world, and try to learn from other people more experienced and (probably) wiser than you!
Jack O'Keefe, Area Manager
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
Physically? A combination of my alarm and wafer-thin curtains (hello, early morning light). Beyond that, I’d say a sugary breakfast and the fresh promise of a new day.
More seriously, I’d say people – I love them. I’m lucky that my role involves fairly constant introductions, interactions, and opportunities to hear stories and build pretty exciting relationships. I’m becoming very familiar with the sound of my own voice though, and nobody is getting out of bed in the morning to listen to that (probably).
How has your background in working with schools for charities helped you in this role?
My background at an education charity directly led me to Unifrog and specifically our social purpose. I’ve worked closely with schools serving pupils most affected by poverty, and have seen the extraordinary work that those schools do to close a gap that, as we know, shouldn’t exist. Pupil destinations follow a similar pattern of cyclical poverty and disadvantage, leading to a huge gap in aspiration and opportunity.
Going back further, I went to a struggling state school that was forced to close the year after I left, so my role involves a lot of me thinking ‘I wish I had this!’, whilst witnessing a school leader experience a platform and partnership that can genuinely help them support their most in-need pupils.
Levelling the playing field is a system-wide challenge. I’m fortunate to have a broad geographical scope across South London and the South East, and therefore an opportunity to work with pretty much all forms of school provision. I’m here because Unifrog is doing incredible work to eliminate the pupil aspiration gap, support schools, and improve outcomes for communities.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A fun fact about me is that I’m probably the coldest person you are ever likely to meet, despite growing up in a much colder part of the country (Yorkshire) than the tropical London climbs I find myself in these days. By that I mean two pairs of gloves in the winter, one pair of the gloves in the summer (I kid). So cold is off the menu – let’s flip it on its head and go Mediterranean. I have a vision of being one of those one-hundred-year-old Greek locals who get by playing cards and eating olive oil and fresh tomatoes.
What's the best joke you know?
My Unifrog induction was a ribbeting experience. Get it? I’m here all week!
Jacob Lovick, Area Manager
What does a day in the life of a Unifrog Area Manager look like?
The day breaks. I open one eye, then the other, grinning and chuckling in anticipation of another day of evening out the playing field for school students. I crack my fingers over a warm cup of Earl Grey and delve into the treasure trove of a fresh inbox, hands warmly embracing the keyboard and brain whirring into action. I field enquiries about adding tools to schools’ accounts, demonstrating the platform to those few, those unhappy few, who aren’t yet Unifrog subscribers in North London, East London, Essex, Suffolk, and some parts of South-West London (not including Kingston-upon-Thames). I’ll have strategy calls that change lives, days, moments, with intricately curated advice and feedback. Perhaps I’ll swing by the office, for unlimited free tea and unlimited croissants on Mondays and Thursdays. Then, I tread satisfied, once again, to bed. Satisfied in the knowledge of an Area that has been well and truly Managed.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
Concise answers. Though it is perhaps possible to be too enthusiastic about the services and benefits that Unifrog can offer a partner school, I often struggle to keep my answers tight and focused to the specifics of the question that’s been asked. I find myself stood at the top of a mountain of metaphors with a dizzy head and wondering how I’d got there. But I hope that, like a Sherpa, my love for the tools that we offer, the range of things available and my willingness to help, will overcome this mountain, and get teachers to where they want to be.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you when you’ve been visiting a school?
The teacher that greeted me at the school reception with the phrase ‘Robert! Great to have you back!’ I had never been to this school before, and my name is not Robert. He took me around the school, introducing me as ‘Robert!’ to absolutely everyone, far more than was necessary. He even once or twice stared at my name badge, which clearly read ‘Jacob’, before proceeding to call me ‘Robert!’ twice or even three times in the following sentence. I then stood up in front of his colleagues, having been introduced as ‘Robert!’ by the same man, and began with the phrase ‘hello everyone, I’m Jacob’. Ashen-faced, the teacher stood and left the room. I didn’t see him again.
What about you always surprises people when you tell them?
I also do a lot of writing and comedy outside of my work for Unifrog. People tend to find this extremely surprising.
Jacqui Hogan, Senior Account Manager
What does your role as a Senior Account Manager at Unifrog involve?
I work with schools and colleges across Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire. A typical working week usually consists of lots of staff training sessions. These vary from whole-school staff training to more focused sessions, with tutors or subject teachers for example; providing tailored support that's relevant to their role, so everyone can make the most of the resources and the content available. I also have many meetings with key Careers team staff to discuss their CEIAG strategy, and offer best practice tips and ideas for using Unifrog to support the successful implementation of this.
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.’
Jane Twine, Events Lead
What does an average day as Events Lead look like?
An average day as Events Lead typically involves working across a range of teams within the organisation to make sure we're on track with the planning process of our events. This includes running planning meetings, thinking about what in-person events would be most useful for our audience, choosing topics to cover, researching venues, contacting speakers, creating schedules, communicating with our attendees and much more – all with the overall aim to ensure our events are as useful and ‘plain sailing’ as possible!
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
I feel strongly about the importance of levelling the playing field for young people and the positive impact this has on society as a whole. At Unifrog, we deliver a range of different events to create opportunities for teachers, advisors, employers, and HE providers to get together in person and explore how they can best support young people to achieve their next steps. I find it incredibly rewarding to play a part in helping young people make informed decisions about their future at what can be a particularly daunting time in life! It's also a real pleasure to work alongside colleagues and partners who are dedicated to making a positive difference and constantly striving for better. The team at Unifrog is an inspiration!
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
I recently rewatched ‘Donnie Darko’ which is an absolute classic. A mind-bending rollercoaster of a film that everyone should watch.
Describe your dream burger, pizza, or taco!
I used to be convinced that the more pizza toppings the better, but I've since learned the beauty of simplicity when it is done right. The stuff of my dreams would be the humble margherita with a sourdough base, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and topped with some rocket and shredded parmesan. If I can smother it in garlic and chilli oil and pair it with a lime margarita then that really is the dream!
Jen Carter, Employer Partnerships Manager
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
My favourite thing by far is getting out into schools and colleges and meeting my contacts, to chat through how they can use Unifrog most effectively. No two schools use it in exactly the same way, and everybody has challenges which I love to try and overcome. The platform is so flexible in the way it can be incorporated into the curriculum, and the perpetual tweaks and content launches mean that my meetings are always punctuated with exclamations of “I didn’t know it could do that!”.
As my contacts will testify, I love a cuppa and a catch up, and I really enjoy building relationships with my schools and colleges so that everyone feels supported and able to come to me with anything they might need, be it platform queries, suggestions for future tweaks, or requests for training.
What’s your favourite anecdote about Unifrog having an impact on a student’s life?
Technically this isn’t one of my wins, but a fantastic colleague of mine went into a school on the day the Canadian University search tool was launched, and on a whim (or was it pure serendipity?) she decided to showcase that tool. For one of the students there that day, it opened their eyes to the world of possibilities, and they subsequently applied and were accepted to study in Canada. Unifrog really does change lives!
What advice would you give to your 17-year-old self?
There are a few clichés that I could come out with here and they’d all be true!
- Act now, apologise later.
- Don’t stress too much; whatever will happen is going to happen anyway.
- Follow your instincts - they are there for a reason!
- Pretend to be confident until it comes naturally.
- Procrastinate less (having spent far too long thinking about these questions, I’m not sure I’ve learnt this lesson yet!)
What do you get up to when you’re not working?
I’m married with two teenagers and a dog, so they take up a lot of my time! Alongside working part-time at Unifrog, I’m also studying towards becoming a qualified Psychotherapist, a subject I love and find fascinating. I also volunteer at Cruse Bereavement as a counsellor which is incredibly rewarding.
My favourite way to relax is taking long walks along the river near where I live with my dog. That or playing cards, board games and video games with my kids.
Jess Wells, Head of HE Partnerships
What do you like most about about your role?
This is going to sound super clichéd, but the best thing is definitely meeting new people! As a HE Partnerships Manager, I work with universities across the globe and there is genuinely nothing better than getting to know them, and finding out exactly how Unifrog can support them in achieving their objectives.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
My favourite is definitely the Special Opportunities tool! I imagine everyone always says this, but I wish I had access to all of that information in one place when I was at school. I think collating important info around widening participation schemes and scholarships is super useful for any student considering university.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
I'd definitely want my favourite lip balm; I imagine my lips would get pretty dry in the heat and I'm literally never without it. My dog Muna would also have to be there because she's great company and is pretty well-versed in keeping creepy-crawlies away. And maybe my dry robe so I can enjoy some comfort after a swim in the surrounding ocean.
Build the best ice cream sundae!
I'm a sucker for rum and raisin, so that'd have to be the base. Then a layer of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough, and topped off with a dollop of raspberry ripple. Maybe with a sprinkle of peanut M&Ms and Milky Way Magic Stars. I'm not sure if that sounds amazing or totally hideous actually.
John Hillis, Employer Partnerships Manager
Describe your role
I'm an Area Manager covering Leeds down to Northamptonshire - that's about 250 schools and colleges. When I started in 2015 there was just a small group of us doing everything from admin, accounts, sales and marketing, and training teachers. Now there are around 50 of us! My day usually involves demonstrating the platform to potential partners, training teachers/staff, arranging webinars and CPDs, all from home at the moment until the occasional dog bark or doorbell interrupts the little grey cells!
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
Apprenticeships and MOOCs. I know that's two favourites, but I've always been passionate about both since joining Unifrog. Both my sons did apprenticeships, and the value of MOOCs is something I've always promoted.
What book do you always recommend to other people?
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson, Tell No One by Harlen Coben, and the Bible, by you-know-who. Something for everyone there!
What's your ideal weekend like?
Walking in the Lake District. I've gone at least once every year since I was 17, apart from the last year due to the pandemic, and 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak. I've been lucky to see the Brocken Spectre recently, and the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997. I think I've done most of the Wainwright walks several times.
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
In South Africa, we had snake, crocodile, and impala at a BBQ. The snake was like chicken as was the crocodile, and impala was like fillet steak.
Josie Allison, Area Manager (Middle East and Africa)
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
I was really lucky to have such a great time as a student when I was at university. I made friends for life and loved how much there was to do in London, so I am really motivated to help students around the world find the right university choice for them. Also, the absolutely incredible International Team at Unifrog; working with such lovely people motivates me every day!
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
I love the Subjects library. There are so many incredible subjects to study and even now sometimes I just like to go through them all and imagine what I might do if I went to university again. Having studied anthropology, which is not a very well-known subject at school, I think it is so important for students to be able to broaden their horizons through Unifrog!
What’s your favourite sandwich?
My favourite guilty pleasure sandwich is the chicken Caesar baguette from Pret. I would genuinely have it every day if I could, and when I travel around to visit schools, it is always my train journey treat.
What's the best joke you know?
What do you call cheese that isn't yours? Nacho cheese!
Julia Jaworska, Partnerships Lead (Europe)
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
I've always wanted to work for a company that has a positive social impact, especially on kids and young people. I've benefited enormously from studying internationally and having the right people around me to support my choices. If I could have also had the tools that Unifrog provides, some of the most stressful parts of this process would have been so much easier and simply more fun!
Knowing that the work we do supports young people in making the best choices for their future is what's great about working here. On top of that I really love the culture at Unifrog and working with people from all over the world which is what I get to do as part of the International Team!
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?
The amount of tools and resources on the platform blew me away! Unifrog is so much more than just a destinations platform – it can help students learn about different cultures, acquire new skills, and broaden their horizons in so many ways. The 'if only this was around when I was at school' feeling is strong!
What would your perfect weekend look like?
On a weekend my favourite thing to do is to go for a hike in the Scottish highlands and have a picnic with a view. I've not bagged many munros yet, but you have to start somewhere! Having a drink in the pub after is also a must. Then I'll have a lie-in on Sunday and cook something nice. And if I have a long weekend – I try to travel somewhere I haven't been yet!
What would your superpower be?
Being in a couple of places at the same time – like enhanced teleportation. I do have family and friends in a couple of different countries so it does seem unfair not to be able to be everywhere, always!
Julia Valdemarca, Partner Success Lead
Describe your role at Unifrog
Responding to lots of emails! Partner Success Leads also answer phone calls and respond to queries that way too. In addition, we help with onboarding partners onto the platform, so that involves looking at how the teacher side of Unifrog works and some cool aspects of the platform so they can get the most out of it. We get to work with lots of the different Unifrog teams too, which is really great!
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to/start work?
More than one alarm! Then the promise of a good coffee and doing a bit of reading before I get my morning going.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
Sunscreen, for sure. Then I'd bring one of my favourite books that I can reread over and over again. And lastly, something to make the ocean water drinkable!
Describe your dream burger, pizza, or taco!
I love a good home-made pizza – fresh ingredients are key. Start off with some dough from an authentic Italian shop and roll it out. Then I go for a red tomato sauce as the base, some olives, mozzarella, a bit of feta cheese, mushrooms, some pesto, and maybe prosciutto if I don't want a vegetarian pizza. Put it in the oven (or cook it on the barbecue if you're like my family!) and when it's ready, add fresh basil on top. Perfect!
Kai Feltham, Senior Account Manager
What gets you out of bed in the morning to start work?
I’m very much a people person, so the thing that gets me out of bed is the enjoyment I get from bothering other people! I’m not very good in my own company, so whether it’s with a teacher or a colleague, I look forward to that first conversation.
What’s your favourite Unifrog tool, and why?
My favourite would have to be the UK Universities tool. When I was at school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I applied for a couple of things, and then panicked the month before I was due to start uni and pulled out at the last minute. Then, I went and did my own research to find what I really wanted to do. So I know that if I’d had access to the UK Universities tool when I was at school, it wouldn’t have been as stressful a process.
If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m a lover of proper fresh pasta. If money was no object, I’d eat out as much as I possibly could, so I’d choose pasta from an Italian restaurant. I love seafood as well, so I’d probably go for a dish with salmon, prawns or mussels maybe.
What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
I’m quite a busy person and rarely have a lie-in. So my ideal day off would be getting up around 8 or 9am, having a strong coffee, and probably going for a walk around Gunnersbury Park and doing some dog-spotting. I’d go along to the football in the afternoon - I support Wycombe Wanderers, for my sins - then in the evening, I’d see live music at a venue like Brixton Academy or The Roundhouse. And finally, I’d round it off with a couple of drinks, probably regretting some of my decisions the next morning.
Kate Garlick, Head of Content
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
It’s actually pretty easy to get out of bed each morning because I genuinely love what I do! My role is full of variety, and I’m lucky to work with some truly incredible colleagues. Work vibes are very positive and supportive and there’s always a lot of energy - we never stand still, we’re always evolving, we’re always looking for ways to be better at what we do. The content we create directly supports students, teachers and counselors and it’s really motivating to be part of something that makes such a positive difference to others. Seeing or hearing positive feedback directly from the people who use the platform is a great feeling!
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team working remotely?
We keep in touch using a mixture of video calls, Slack messages, and emails. Everyone has a weekly 1:1 meeting with their line manager, and there are also regular team meetings, cross-team meetings, working groups, and some online work socials. Throughout the year there are regular whole company team days and smaller individual team away days where we meet up in person. These usually include a team meal and often a social activity too: some of my favourites have been a cooking class, an escape room, and a painting party!
After years of teaching in busy secondary schools, I thought that working remotely might feel a little strange or isolating, but it’s amazing how easy it is to communicate, settle in, and feel part of the team. It helps that everyone who works here is genuinely friendly!
What would your superpower be?
Because I’ve got friends and family in different parts of the country and the world, I feel like teleportation is the obvious choice. However, there would always be the worry that I’d be kidnapped and experimented on, or forced to use my powers for nefarious purposes. (I’m an over-thinker).
A less stressful option would be a superpower inspired by the babel fish from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: the power to understand and speak any language in the universe. Being able to strike up a conversation with anyone in the world in their native language would be amazing.
What’s your pizza order?
I’m obsessed with vegetables – especially sun-dried tomatoes and chargrilled artichoke – but my enthusiasm for veg can get out of hand. A few years ago, I got very giddy at a pizza place that allowed unlimited toppings and asked for every vegetable on the menu; the resultant pizza was so watery I could have eaten it with a spoon!
Kathryn Donnelly, Account Manager
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
I was a teacher before this and I loved Unifrog - I thought it was an absolutely brilliant platform. But the main motivation for me is to ‘level the playing field’ for students, giving students who aren’t in privileged positions the opportunities to learn what is available to them. I worked in the north east in a deprived area, so I was able to support those students as a teacher, but now I can help students nationwide by working for Unifrog!
What does an average day as an Account Manager look like?
An average day involves helping lots of teachers via emails and video calls. It’s great because I get to speak to so many people across my region. I’m just about to book my first face-to-face school visit too, which is exciting.
What book do you always recommend?
I was an English and Film Studies teacher, so I recommend L'Étranger by Albert Camus - it’s amazing - or Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. Both a bit miserable, I’m afraid.
Build the best ice cream sundae
This is so difficult! My dream sundae would be chocolate-heavy, as I’m a bit of a chocoholic. I think peanut butter ice cream on the bottom, maybe some chocolate sauce… Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream… then some more chocolate sauce… lots of whipped cream (a must), nuts, and some more chocolate sauce. And maybe some more chocolate ice cream in there.
Kelly Lake, Senior Account Manager
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
The thing I find most challenging is actually also one of the things I enjoy the most - it's the fact that no two schools do things the same way. I currently work with around 190 different schools and colleges and each one of them has their own method, their own standards, their own individual goals and challenges... so there's no way I can take a 'one size fits all' approach. It makes my job really varied and I enjoy working with my partner schools to find the best way of supporting them.
Would you rather be able to teleport or time travel? Why?
Both! If I had to pick one I'd say time travel. I have always loved history, I find it fascinating to think that if just one thing had happened another way then our entire lives could be totally different. But it's easy to forget that being an historian is partly about being a storyteller - re-telling and interpreting the events of the past based on sources there's often no real way to prove or disprove. 'History is written by the winners' as the famous quote says, so I'd really like the chance to go back and see things as they actually happened and learn the stories and perspectives of the people you never get to hear about in class.
What have you ticked off your bucket list so far?
Walking over hot coals. My friends arranged a firewalk at their wedding reception a couple of years ago. It was optional and I spent the whole day completely certain that I wasn't going to join in. Then the time came and it occurred to me that I wasn't likely to get the opportunity again any time soon so off came the shoes! It was awesome actually - even though your logical mind knows it must be safe because other people have done it and not been hurt you still have to convince yourself that stepping onto the coals isn't going to end badly for you. I felt amazing once I'd done it!
What about you always surprises people when you tell them?
The fact that I have a collection of swords and knives tends to raise eyebrows! I used to be pretty handy at using them too, a group of friends and I worked in street theatre together and used to choreograph sword-fights for the shows or for demonstrations at events. I never meant to collect them, it all started with me keeping a prop. Then I bought a replica at a local English Heritage event one summer and the numbers have been slowly going up ever since - mostly from people giving them to me rather than me taking shopping trips. I even have a replica Roman suit of armour in my loft! So yes, that tends to surprise (or possibly worry) people.
...that or the fact that I'm a big Sylvester Stallone fan...
Khadija Jackson, Account Manager
What do you like most about your role?
I'm really passionate about social mobility through schooling and education. For seven years I was a maths teacher and year leader which allowed me to see firsthand the challenges faced by students when thinking of their lives beyond Year 11. I also experienced the challenges that can be faced by teachers in terms of time and resources to help students discover the educational/career pathways available to them.
Being an account manager for Unifrog is so exciting as I'm able to show tools and resources that will help eliminate a lot of these issues. Students, regardless of their background, have fair access to understanding the pathways available to them and how they can get there. Staff also have access to resources that are easy to use, save time, and are impactful – an absolute dream for teachers! Knowing that I am a part of making this change is what I love about the role.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
The most challenging thing is choosing only a few parts of the platform to demonstrate during training sessions! The platform has such a wide range of tools that are so useful and, as a former teacher, I want to talk about every single one as I know how much of a difference they can make in the classroom.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I'd definitely live in Canada! I had the opportunity to complete part of my degree in Toronto and I instantly fell in love. I love the friendliness, the Sakura in High Park, and, controversially, the knee-height snow in the winter. Also: Tim Hortons - need I say more?
What gives you energy?
Engaging with art gives me energy! I especially love the theatre and I go whenever I get the chance. After seeing a play or musical (even if I've seen it three times before!), I feel completely buzzed with positive energy.
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.
Lauren Uddin-Moss, Teaching Resources Creator
What do you like most about your role?
What DON’T I love about my role would be the easier question! It’s so hard to choose! I think I’d have to say the element of creativity: being able to take a topic that might be a little dry in places, have some fun with it, and create content that’s engaging as well as informative for students… that’s what makes me tick! But I also absolutely love the feedback process; when we create any content it goes through several stages of collaborative feedback, and it’s just wonderful to see other people’s ideas help make something great even more FABULOUS!
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when working remotely?
As an ex-teacher, this is the first remote-working role I’ve had. I’d become so used to the buzz and energy of a secondary school, that I did wonder how remote teams still get to know each other personally. But by having regular ‘coffee chats’ via Google Meet (we drop in for a natter most mornings) and always being able to ping each other ideas and social updates via the work messaging app Slack, it has made working at home feel completely normal.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
My parents used to regularly take us to visit big ships docked into various places around the UK. Whether we were taking a peek around HMS Invincible, or gawping at the remains of the Mary Rose, I always remember being fascinated by the idea of a life at sea. As my mum was a nurse, for a long time I thought that being a Wren in the Royal Navy would be a great idea. That was before I spent any actual time on a boat… sadly, my sea legs had other ideas! I get so sick, so now I avoid sailing at any cost!
What's your favourite song and why?
My favourite song to listen to is ‘My Sweet Lord’ by George Harrison. I’m not a religious person, but the combination of lyrics, the Hare Krishna choir, and the gentle acceleration of energy as the song builds, really makes me feel something bigger than I am! Second to that, I am a Spice Girls SUPERFAN, and my go-to Karaoke song is ‘Say you’ll be there!’ - complete with Mel C high kick.
Leah Broadstock, Account Manager
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
I hadn't actually heard about Unifrog at first; however, when I did a bit of research, I very quickly found real-life accounts of how great of a company it is to work for! I love the drive and ambition the company holds and the goal of social inclusion, having worked with individuals previously who had experienced exclusion all of their lives. I found it refreshing to hear how much Unifrog care about their employees (and mean it!) and the opportunities available to have an input on the future movements of the company, taking consideration of all the eclectic views and opinions from the diverse workforce.
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?
Slack is a godsend and I love that you can get quick answers from your colleagues without blocking up their email inbox. which feels a lot more overwhelming when the numbers add up! I also love the informal/social side it allows when you need a five-minute conversation about something irrelevant to work to give yourself a breather! Naturally, video calls are also a major tool facilitated day to day, and it's nice that you get to see people's faces whilst having more important conversations.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta, pasta, and more pasta! I think I was actually a piece of penne before I was born as I feel joy in my soul when I eat it! Any pasta dish (with a side of garlic bread of course) and I'm a happy girl, although my friends often call me Garfield as I am partial to a good lasagne. I've made myself very hungry now...
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
This is SO hard – how could anyone choose just one? It's completely dependent on the mood I'm in! I'm a sucker for a rom-com anywhere where they go abroad and fall in love, and if it includes Adam Sandler, I'm completely sold! ‘Just Go With It’ and ‘Blended’ are two of my favourites from him. However I can re-watch ‘Dirty Dancing’ endlessly and never ever get bored.
Lizzie Brennan, Data Manager
Describe your role as Data Manager at Unifrog
As Data Manager, I help to maintain and update all of the information we have on our opportunity search tools, as well as researching and designing new tools to add to the platform. This means my job can have an instant impact on hundreds of thousands of students all around the world, which is very exciting! It's super important we have the most up to date, impartial information to show to students to allow them to make informed decisions about their future.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
I'd say the most challenging part of the job is making sure that we are always on top of the latest developments and releases in education-related data. There are lots of great data sources which release data on a whole range of different areas in education, from the amount of students who go on to a graduate job once they finish a particular course at a particular institution, to the latest Ofsted reports for a school or apprenticeship provider in the UK. We need to make sure we have the most recent, relevant information to share and also look out for any new data points which we could use to supplement the information we already have. Getting feedback from students and teachers using the platform is also crucial to making sure we achieve this.
You were very involved in Unifrog’s move to a new office. How did you make sure that this would be somewhere the team were happy in?
People spend a good chunk of their day at work so we wanted to try and make the new Unifrog office a place people enjoy coming to, rather than just somewhere they have to be! We've made sure the space has lots of light, plants and colourful furniture to promote a happy, positive environment and we’ve also made sure people have the chance to add their own touches to the space. As we've now moved over from a shared to a private office, we've also invested in an office radio and it has exposed us to lots of questionable music tastes…
What are the best and worst bits of being an Arsenal supporter?
I was brought up an Arsenal fan, with my family all having their roots in Islington, but unfortunately during our glory days I was too young to appreciate how good we were. It's good to know our history, but since I started taking a serious interest it all went downhill and let's just say the struggle is real and I'm missing my favourite Frenchman…
Logan Wilcox, Data Analyst
How did you find starting a new job while working remotely?
I had already been working remotely for a while prior to joining Unifrog so it sort of felt like the default. Although, I definitely missed being able to meet people properly, especially since everyone here is super friendly and easy to get on with.
What's the most surprising thing you've learnt working at Unifrog?
That the thought of work doesn't have to be negative and I can even look forward to it. (I still look forward to finishing and getting out to do something though!)
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
Magic speakers, a library and Adam Peaty. I'd bring Adam so I can fashion a deckchair out of wood, strap it to his back and ride on out of there once I've read the books and the speakers break.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Other than the obvious investment advice and some well-placed bets - I'd say focus on yourself and not on your surroundings. Invest time and money into yourself as much as possible. Try as many different things as you can and lean into that which you enjoy, without worrying what others may think.
Lucy Lundstrom, Area Manager (Americas)
Describe your role at Unifrog
As the International Area Manager for the Americas, I get to work with our current partner schools to make sure they are having the best Unifrog experience possible while also connecting with prospective partner schools in the region. That means that I’m often communicating with teachers and counselors, giving demos, and running training sessions for the platform.
How has your background in education helped you in this role?
Before I started at Unifrog, I was an English language teacher for nine years in Latin America and the US. My students worked so hard and had incredible aspirations, but didn’t always have great access to information about the opportunities that might await them outside of high school. I noticed that applying to universities seemed like an overwhelmingly stressful ordeal, or students would often just apply to nearby schools that were familiar because they didn’t have the tools to sift through the many, many opportunities that were available to them globally. I really believe in Unifrog’s mission, and I like to think that my background in education has provided me useful experience to empathise with and better understand the needs of students, teachers, and counselors who are contending with the sometimes challenging process of higher education applications.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
This is such a hard question! I love where I live now, in Colombia, but I would ideally like to be somewhere close to the mountains where I can get outside and enjoy nature easily! I’d be deliriously happy to live in a cosy alpine cabin with beautiful views and maybe a lake to swim in nearby!
What's your party trick?
It’s not much of a trick, but mine would probably be immediately gravitating toward all of the animals in the host’s home and disappearing into a corner somewhere to befriend them!
Lydia Derbyshire, HE Partnerships Manager
Describe your role at Unifrog
My role as HE Partnerships manager is to make sure that our university partners get the most out of the platform and the exciting opportunities we have on offer. Through my role, I get to share incredibly valuable pre-application insights with universities, supporting them with their recruitment and marketing strategies. It’s great working with such a diverse range of institutions, knowing the value their partnerships and opportunities bring to the wider Unifrog community.
How does your background in the education charity sector and student recruitment help you in this role?
Ever since graduating from university, my work has been somewhat related to higher education and ensuring students have all of the information to make informed decisions about their next steps. My work in the charity sector focused largely on widening participation, whilst my recent experience working in university student recruitment helps me better understand the priorities and challenges facing the university partners that I support.
What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?
As long as the weather is on my side, I enjoy going out on long walks with my dog, Ralph, and we’re really lucky to live close to the Peak District so there’s lots to explore close by. When we have a little more time, I love to get away on a camping trip, preferably somewhere near the sea!
What's the one film you think everyone should see?
Everyone should definitely watch ‘Hidden Figures’. The film is based on real events and tells the inspirational story of three female African-American NASA mathematicians who were integral in the space race, whilst also playing an incredibly important role in the advancement of equal opportunities.
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 two)! 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, set up 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 naïve 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 is 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!
Megan Soley, HE Partnerships Coordinator
How has your career background helped you in this role?
I’ve done a little bit of everything in the higher education world over the past few years – student recruitment, event management, sales, schools outreach, marketing; and they all seem to have combined perfectly into this role! Every day I draw upon something different from my background, whether I’m designing best practice guides for our partners, planning how our offerings can be used throughout the recruitment cycle, or supporting the Partnership Managers with the logistics of marketing campaigns and events.
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
Lots of my days involve auditing our higher education partners to make sure everyone is getting the most out of their partnership. I really enjoy my work-from-home ritual of getting a big coffee, a comfy hoodie, and popping on my headphones to dive into some spreadsheets – I feel like a little detective. I think my colleagues can speak to me losing track of time when I'm in data-mode!
If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose and why?
I would say I'd choose Sebastian Vettel. I grew up watching him being a menace on a Formula 1 track, back-to-back world championships, and now he is a massive inspiration to me with all his work campaigning to save our planet and drawing attention to human rights violations around the world. I feel like he would be a truly kind, motivated, and humble person to be around.
What gives you energy?
I’m a country girl at heart, so nothing revives me like a walk in the fresh air. When I was writing my dissertation I would sometimes go on two to three walks a day to recharge my brain!
Mhairi Drysdale, Recruitment Lead
Describe your role at Unifrog
My role as Recruitment Lead is to attract and help select candidates to join the Unifrog team, and support them throughout their recruitment process. I also onboard all new starters to ensure they have the best start possible to their Unifrog careers.
What's your favourite thing about your role?
I really enjoy getting to speak to lots of candidates, getting to know them, and hearing what excites them about Unifrog. It's great to get to work across all the teams at Unifrog, understanding the hiring needs in different teams and the briefs for new roles. I also really enjoy thinking about how we can continue to make recruitment processes better to ensure all candidates have a really positive experience.
What do you spend money on unreasonably, but very satisfyingly?
It's going to have to be my fancy gym. It really is a splurge but it's one I get so much from. The coaches are amazing and make every workout fun. The only way I can justify the cost is that it makes me very happy and I miss it when I don’t go. I never thought I'd say that about the gym!
What book do you always recommend to other people?
I am not a huge reader, but I do enjoy reading about the human body. I studied biomedical sciences, and although I have forgotten most of it, I do like to every now and then dip back into the subject. ‘The Body’ by Bill Bryson is a book I really enjoyed reading. It has chapters on all the different parts of the body, and diseases that can affect them, so I would recommend that to anyone wanting an easy to read science-y book!
Michelle Butterworth, Content Creator and Editor
What do you like most about your role at Unifrog?
I love that I get to learn about so many things. When researching for a new Know-how guide or Subjects library profile, I’ll be looking for answers to questions like ‘what’s the difference between ophthalmics and optometry?’, ‘why study in Canada?’, or ‘what causes anxiety?’ Discovering lots of interesting facts is definitely a perk of the role!
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the team when you're working remotely?
I think Slack has definitely been a game changer - it makes it so easy to brainstorm new ideas or get advice from someone in the team, so I try to use it pretty often. It’s also nice to take part in things like the online yoga class.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
The best concert would have to be Rammstein. They really know how to entertain a crowd and their pyrotechnics are mind-blowing.
What's at the top of your bucket list?
I’ve always wanted to try cliff jumping. And if I could do it off Haew Suwat - the waterfall featured in The Beach - that would be a huge bonus!
Mitchell Purnell, Area Manager
Why did you decide to work for Unifrog?
When I first researched Unifrog, I was drawn to the idea of working for a social enterprise with a product that I could be genuinely passionate about. Then I saw Unifrog's apprenticeship content and search tool in action, which completely sealed the deal! When I dropped out of college, I spent weeks trying to search for, and get my head around, apprenticeships. Something I hear a lot is ‘I wish this existed when I was in school’, which is exactly what I was thinking when I decided to work for Unifrog!
Describe your role
My main priority is making sure my amazing partners in the South West utilise all that Unifrog has to offer; not only with platform usage, but also by taking full advantage of our wider network. There really is no such thing as a standard day or week. I run staff trainings, strategy meetings, best-practice CPDs, conference talks/workshops and network meetings. Essentially, I do whatever is required to make sure staff are supported in providing students with the very best careers education, across the South West.
A lot of miles, a few too many fast food restaurants (for the free Wi-Fi) and plenty of work, but I love it.
What's the best thing about working with teachers?
The best thing has to be when you mention something that sparks their interest and sends them off on a passion-fuelled rant. No matter how tired they may be at the end of a long working day, one trigger conversation shows just how passionate they are about what they do, and why they do it. Plus, they’re super competitive if chocolate is on the line!
Please tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.
- I represented Bristol in the UK Junior Tiddlywinks Championships 2002 and came a very respectable 3rd place.
- I hit my peak of stardom at the age of 12, when I directed an award-winning series of short films based on climate change.
- I had chicken pox three times as a child, much to the disbelief of my local GP.
Pam Gardner, Employer Engagement Coordinator
Describe your role
My role as Employer Engagement Coordinator is to make sure that every employer partner who works with us at Unifrog gets the most value out of working with us and our audience. That can range from suggesting our exciting upcoming events to employers to creating a targeted recruitment campaign for them focusing on priorities like geography or sector interests. Supporting the work of our three wonderful Employer Partner Managers largely involves coordinating the data on how well engagement is going with that partner's content or events they’ve delivered with us. During my interview, I said that I envisaged my role as being “the glue” for our wonderful employer team at Unifrog and that must have resonated (and they’re stuck with me now, haha).
What’s your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
This would have to be the Placements tool. In my previous role, I was a work experience coordinator in a sixth form college and I used it! I absolutely love the simplicity for students as they input their information, that it’s so easily manageable for the school/college, and that it brings in a ready-made employer database for the school. The ‘help’ documents and videos are short and accessible to share with student and staff groups too!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
It’s great to be a lovely person and you should always be true to yourself, but don’t forget you can put yourself first too. Have that confidence, believe you are worth it, and go for it!
What things do you spend money on unreasonably, but very satisfyingly?
Having bought not one but two kayaks this year, that is my splurge! Paddling on a quiet lake in total peace is the ultimate satisfaction and worth every penny!
Param Patel, People and Finance Assistant
Describe your role at Unifrog
The role of People and Finance Assistant has a few parts to it. There's the ‘people’ side, which involves helping maintain employee holiday and absence records, booking hotels, and making sure the office is run smoothly – so the HR side of things. And I also support the finance team to manage our bank account, make payments, and respond to enquiries on the email account. So there’s two very different sides to the role, which means every day is a bit different too!
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
It might be a little bit clichéd, but working for a company like Unifrog that has a strong aim – to make sure everyone has access to the information they need to make decisions about their future – gets me up in the morning. It’s great to work for a company with a social goal.
On top of that, everyone I’ve met at Unifrog has been really nice and helpful, which helps get me up in the morning too.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I genuinely had no idea for most of my life! When I was 14 or 15, I thought I wanted to be a sports journalist. Then I realised how much I enjoy geography and so I studied that for my degree. But above all, I always wanted to do work that was meaningful, which is how I ended up here at Unifrog.
What about you always surprises people when you tell them?
When people first meet me I think I come across as quite quiet, but I’m very passionate about some of my hobbies. So if you ever see me watching a football game in a stadium, you’d be really caught off guard about how much I get into it! I go crazy if we score a goal. And another thing that surprises people – I have not eaten cake since it made me sick on my tenth birthday!
Polina Andreeva, Account Manager
How has your background in teaching helped you in this role?
I’ve seen many of the challenges faced by young people when deciding on their futures so I understand how essential it is to provide impartial guidance to all students. My role as Head of Year alongside teaching also involved supporting parents and students at risk of exclusion. It was often about motivating them to reach their future aspirations and goals; it's extremely rewarding and in line with Unifrog’s mission too! Now I focus on providing the most tailored information and responding quickly because I know how busy teachers are.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
Keeping it short and simple – it’s tempting to say and write a lot in emails and calls to educators because there is so much to the platform. The truth is, teachers don’t have much time, so it’s essential to understand the context of the school and keep it focused!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A very cheesy toastie – there would have to be a generous amount of melted cheddar between those buttery and crispy sourdough slices.
What does your ideal weekend look like?
It's hard to decide – I love staying active as much as relaxing. The dream weekend would be a spa by a beautiful lake in the woods with a few friends and a book. Maybe a karaoke night, but delicious food is a must on both days. Maybe some exploring, swimming, and cycling too.
Rebecca Scannapieco, Account Manager
What made you apply to work at Unifrog?
Without wanting to sound clichéd, 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).
Rob Cannings, Area Manager (Europe)
What does a day in the life of an International Area Manager look like?
As International Area Manager for Europe, my day is usually one of two very different scenes. I spend about 7-10 days of every month visiting a different European country, or sometimes two! During these trips, I get to visit our fantastic partner schools and help them integrate Unifrog into their curricula, train staff how to use the platform and most excitingly introduce it to students. I also get to visit schools that we don't yet work with to demonstrate the ways in which Unifrog could help them deliver better careers and higher education guidance for their students. When I'm back at Unifrog HQ here in London, I do all of the above remotely via video chat, recharge and put the finishing touches on the plan for the next trip.
How has your previous experience in Higher Education helped you in this role?
Five years of working in careers and employability services across three different London universities was a great foundation for understanding the environment I now find myself in. In particular, my role at The London School of Economics gave me the opportunity to work very closely with graduate employers from a variety of sectors. This means that I've been involved with helping to shape the future of young people - in one form or another - for a long time now. On a more day to day level, when you've run countless presentations, seminars, and workshops for 18-21 year olds, standing up in front of students a couple of years younger to do something similar doesn't faze you quite as much as it could!
What’s the best thing about travelling as part of your job?
Forgive me for the obvious answer, but as a massive foodie I can't look beyond that. So far in 2020 I've been lucky enough to enjoy ravioli in Rome, gyros in Greece, pastéis de nata in Portugal, and bacalao in Barcelona - do I get extra points for alliteration? - and that's just off the top of my head. As a big football fan, I've also tried to take in a game as often as possible too. I've got to games at the San Siro, Estádio José Alvalade and El Madrigal so far this season. Bonus points for anyone who can name the teams that play in those venues without resorting to Google!
What was the first album you bought?
Being the youngest of four children, I was lucky enough to get some excellent hand-me-down cassettes - yes I was born in the 80s! - from a very young age. I vividly remember dancing around my room to The Prodigy when I was way too young to process the lyrics... I can't remember the first album I bought, but the very first piece of music was a single - Cotton Eye Joe, by Rednex. Thankfully, it didn't lead to me buying whatever God-forsaken album that song featured on. For some extra narrative detail, I also remember that during the trip to Our Price in Torquay to pick up that particular banger, my sister purchased the far more respectable Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio. For shame.
Robert Harries, New Business Lead
What does an average day as New Business Lead look like?
On an average day, I'll be sending out emails and calling prospective prospects as part of targeted campaigns, and then replying to those interested in finding out more about Unifrog. I also act as the conduit between the prospect and the Partnership Managers, ensuring both parties' diaries and interests align before booking meetings between the two. We also get a fair bit of interest in the platform from our website and I reply to these enquiries.
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
I enjoy the verifying process of a prospect's contact details and role within an organisation. It's a form of detective work at times.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I play cricket for my local club in the summer. I enjoy reading non-fiction and genre fiction books, and I spend a lot of my time bird watching and walking.
What's your coffee order?
I'm more of a tea drinker, so I'd say Assam or decaf tea depending on the time of day.
Robyn Langdon, Events Lead
Describe your role at Unifrog
My role at Unifrog as the Events Lead is to run the virtual events on the platform. This could be from arranging webinars for a small group of students and/or teachers/counselors, straight through to organising large virtual exhibitions attended by 1000s of students from all across the world. I love the process of planning various events, from the event conception, to the end goal of the event being a great success. I really enjoy having lots of events going on at once, and means that the humble to-do list is my best friend!
What gets you out of bed in the morning to start work?
Usually, my dog or a small child! I'm not a coffee drinker, but luckily I'm a morning person, so that certainly helps. But also really enjoying my job; I'm new to Unifrog and already love working here. The days go by quickly and it's a really friendly place to work. I was a bit worried I'd find it difficult working remotely from my home in Plymouth, but that hasn't been the case at all! You can tell that everyone is really proud to be working here and helping make a difference.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I have this conversation more often that I'm happy to admit and it changes regularly! At the moment, it would have to be pizza, but it must be one cooked properly in a wood-fired oven. There's nothing more disappointing than a sad oven pizza!
What's your party trick?
I can make a turtle out of the metal covering of the cork ('muselet' is the official name) from a champagne bottle. My brother-in-law is French and passed on the wisdom!
Scott Blake, Producer / Director
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
I absolutely love producing video content that makes a significant impact on people's lives and choices. Working at Unifrog provides me with the perfect platform to fulfil this passion and purpose. The opportunity to create videos that have a genuine, positive influence on individuals is incredibly rewarding and inspiring.
What's your favourite thing about your role?
One of my favourite things about my role is the opportunity to meet and interact with so many diverse and fascinating people. Each shoot brings me face-to-face with individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life. Listening to their stories, and capturing their triumphs on film, is incredible.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would definitely be Thai green curry!
What's the best gig you've ever been to?
I saw Ariana Grande at Manchester Pride a couple years ago and that was a surreal experience (I'm kinda obsessed). I am however going to two Taylor Swift dates next year which I know will take the number one spot!
Shameel Wahid, Finance Lead
Describe your role
My role is really interesting because of how much variety it has. It includes everything from payroll - making sure everyone gets paid correctly - to managing and accurately reflecting Unifrog’s cash flow and financial position. On top of that, I’m also working on some exciting projects around making our financial processes more efficient and automated through the use of technology and a lot of Excel!
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
There were two things that really stood out to me about Unifrog. The first was its mission; being a part of an organisation that helps students make some of the most important decisions in their life really resonated to me. The second was its culture; Unifrog’s online resources showed how important culture was to the company and what it stood for, and that mattered to me.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
The first two items I’d want would have to be a duvet and a pillow - I really need my sleep, no matter where I am! And the third would be an autobiography of someone else who’s been stranded on an island. I think it would reassure me to know they’d survived it!
How would your friends describe you?
I think my friends would say I’m calm, indecisive, and forgetful. I’ve lost count of the number of times they’ve had to remind me about something! When it comes to making small decisions, I tend to overthink (it might be my economics background that leads to analysis paralysis). But if all hell breaks loose, they’ll turn to me to stay calm!
Sheri Barnett, Head of Student Content
Describe your role
My role is Head of Student Content, which means I plan and create content for our Careers, Subjects, and Know-how libraries, I edit content written by the rest of the student content team, and I look after the student content team. I also work with experts, universities, and employers to make sure that what we produce is as helpful as possible, and come up with new projects for the team to work on. In a nutshell, it's a lot of talking, a lot of reading, and a lot of writing - three of my favourite things!
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt working at Unifrog?
The most surprising thing I've learnt working at Unifrog is just how many incredible opportunities there are out there! When I was at school I didn't know I could study in Switzerland, complete a degree in Adventure Filmmaking, or take part in a school leaver programme and study later. There is such a wealth of opportunities out there and - having not had anything like Unifrog growing up - it surprises me every time I find something new and exciting on the platform!
What would your perfect weekend look like?
My perfect weekend would definitely be a city break somewhere in Europe. I love travelling and would quite happily spend every weekend for the rest of eternity exploring new places with my friends or my family.
What's your favourite pizza?
It's controversial! I love a vegetable pizza with extra chillies and pineapple! I also can't eat dairy and hate vegan cheese, so I go cheeseless... at least no one wants to share with me and I get it all to myself!
Siân Phillips, New Partnerships Lead
What's your favourite thing about your role?
I enjoy reaching out to schools and colleges and helping to grow the Unifrog community! I was inspired to join Unifrog as I strongly believe in our mission to level the playing field for all young people by helping them find their best next steps. It's so exciting when a new school decides to join us, as I know the impact the platform is going to have on their student's futures.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
The role can be very busy! Day to day, I'm responding to enquiries from schools, writing campaigns highlighting different platform features, working with our Area Managers to organise demonstrations, and reaching out to schools about our Sponsorship programme.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would choose Barcelona! It's such a cool city, full of culture, great beaches, and lots of dogs! I love it so much I'm actually getting married just outside the city in August 2024!
What’s your favourite thing to do outside work?
I like exploring new places with my partner and our rescue dog, Isla (featured in my photo at our first doggy yoga session).
Simon Warner, Account Manager
What motivates you to work at Unifrog?
Having been a teacher in schools in economically deprived parts of London, I've seen the challenge of getting students to see what aspiration means and getting them to aim higher. So the Unifrog mission of levelling the playing field is something that resonates with me, and something I can apply to so many of the young people I have worked with over the last 13 years. I've also found that navigating next steps out of school is somewhat of a far more complicated process than when I left school! Helping students to find the right path for them is something I've always tried to do and again, this is something about Unifrog that I love – that the student's journey is at the centre!
What’s your favourite thing about your role (so far)?
I've loved getting to know the other account managers and learning from them. They're all great and so happy to explain everything and go through the platform and the systems. I've also enjoyed being able to start to meet the schools that I will be working with. I'm really excited to get up and running and explaining all of the amazing parts of the platform to them!
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
My wife and her family are Irish and they have a house on the West Coast of Ireland. I love being outside and the landscape over there is beautiful. Everywhere you look, there's something new to take in, and it feels so much more untouched than anywhere else I have been. It helps that the people are really friendly and it's such a relaxed place as well!
What's your favourite sandwich?
Is it controversial that I'm not a big sandwich fan? I do love a ham and cheese toastie every now and then though, but I'm not sure if that counts!
Siri Minsaas, Head of International School Sales
What gets you out of bed in the morning to go to work?
Before joining Unifrog, I was a teacher and worked in university access for many years, so helping students find their next step and figure out what they want to do in the future has always motivated me in the mornings (that, and a breakfast of berries and cereal).
What's your favourite thing about your role?
I love getting to work with colleagues and support schools all around the world. I'll catch up with colleagues in Colombia, hear how schools in Hong Kong are getting on, and talk to teachers in Cyprus - it's super varied, and feels like I've travelled the world in the course of the working day!
Where is the best place you've travelled to, and why is it your favourite?
I went to Sri Lanka a few years ago, and it was absolutely incredible. It's really easy to travel around the island, so you can take in all of the stunning beaches and mountain landscapes. We swam with turtles and saw elephants and leopards. The food was so delicious – I'm still dreaming about it!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I wouldn't want to mess with the time-space continuum by saying too much to my younger self, but I'd say that it's okay to not have a plan, or for your plans to change. I didn't know where in the world I wanted to live, what I wanted to do with a politics degree, or what job to do after teaching, but not knowing exactly what you want to do just gives you an opportunity to try new things and figure out what works for you!
Sofia Hammond, Partner Success Lead
What does an average day as a Partner Success Lead look like?
An average day as a Partner Success Lead starts with checking the Unifrog inbox and responding to a multitude of queries from our schools. During the day, we make sure that all of our new schools are onboarded onto the platform. This includes running onboarding calls with the lead contact from the school and uploading their data onto the platform so that all students and teachers can start to use it.
What part of your job do you think is the most challenging?
The most challenging part of our job is making sure that every piece of data we upload to the platform is correct and up to date. Many of our schools have thousands of students/teachers who need access to the platform, so we spend lots of time updating and amending their information. Our goal is to make use of the platform as effective and seamless as possible, so it’s really important to us to get this right!
What's your favourite way to spend a day off?
I love going for a cycle or a long walk on the weekend. Apart from that, my friends and I are always trying new restaurants; Shoreditch is our favourite area for catch-ups over dinner.
Build the best ice cream sundae!
The best ice cream sundae would have scoops of pistachio, white chocolate, and salted caramel ice cream (with the caramel chunks). Then white chocolate sauce and strawberries on top!
Stephen Rodwell, Head of People and Finance
Describe your role as Head of People and Finance at Unifrog
As my title suggests, I lead on two main things at Unifrog: managing our cash flow; and recruiting, retaining, and developing a happy and effective team. We think we do a pretty good job at making Unifrog a great place to work (hopefully you can see that from our reviews!), but part of my role is to make sure we're always thinking creatively about how to improve – whether that's introducing new perks and benefits, streamlining our internal processes to make them super efficient, or supporting everyone to find their best next steps for professional development. We try to take ideas from everywhere, especially our own team, to continue to make Unifrog an even better place to be.
When you first started, what struck you about Unifrog?
It's a great team of people who support one another and celebrate each other's successes; everyone is eager to help and push the platform forward. It's also inspiring that we have a group of experts in Higher Education and post-16 opportunities who are helping lead the discussion about the future of young people.
As a former teacher, why do you think that what Unifrog is doing is important?
Although I worked in a primary school, I know that my Year 1 pupils would still have loved exploring the different careers on the platform! Every year my class made a ‘Book of Dreams’ where each child drew a picture of what they wanted to be when they were older. In a way, Unifrog is just a grown-up extension of that! Even from a young age, giving children ideas about what careers are out there is hugely important in shaping their aspirations.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you and why?
A corner sofa, the Beatles discography, and a lifetime supply of cheese. What more could you want?
Tamsin Davis, Account Manager
What do you like the most about your role?
I used to be a teacher, so I really like being able to work on something that helps teachers out. Unifrog makes life so much easier for them and their students. And on the student side of things, Unifrog’s mission to level the playing field is so important to me. Being able to give students the same opportunities, no matter what their background, really drew me to this role.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
It’s difficult to choose a favourite Unifrog tool as there are so many! I think mine would have to be either the Webinars tool or the Read, Watch, Listen tool. I’m not sure if those tools get used as much as some of the others, but they both feel like so much more than just a tool! They’re really useful for things like writing personal statements and finding wider reading to talk about. Podcasts, TED Talks, and webinars really help students broaden their understanding of a subject and strengthen their applications.
What's the best gig or show you've ever been to?
One of my favourite recent gigs was seeing Jessie Ware. I’m a little bit obsessed with everything about her – her podcast, her cookbook, and her music. I listened to her a lot during the Covid-19 lockdowns and then played a lot of her songs at my wedding, so seeing her live was quite emotional.
What would your superpower be?
I think my superpower would have to be teleportation. The amount of time and money it would save me would be huge. Even for short distances, like getting home from work, it would be such a big help! But for long distances, like a flight to Japan I took, I really struggled to sleep so it would save me the discomfort of journeys like that as well. Plus I don’t want to move abroad because it’s hard to travel back home, so it would give me the opportunity to try that!
Thomas Ayling, Post Production Manager
What does an average day as a Post Production Manager for Unifrog look like?
On an average day, I’m usually editing new videos and checking in with the team to provide support on projects before they’re sent to our partners. I could be working on a range of projects, from profiles for our Careers, Subjects, and Know-how libraries, to marketing videos or courses. There’s always something different to focus on, which keeps things really interesting!
What’s your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
Ooh, it has to be the Careers and Subjects libraries. As a video editor at Unifrog, it’s my job to transform interview footage into stories that are easy to understand and engaging for young people. It’s always interesting to hear personal journeys, and I love shaping those stories in a way that might spark something in someone watching. I also really enjoy our Courses tool as we get to create fun motion graphics for trailers and explainer videos, and there’s plenty of room to be creative.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to take more risks and that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. The important thing is to really commit to something that excites you, even if it's not the perfect or final choice.
Which reality TV contest/programme do you think you'd win?
I reckon I’d have good run on 'Takeshi's Castle'. I’m hoping all those hours watching it growing up have trained me in the art of foam boulder evasion.
Tim Bodey, Account Manager
How has your background in teaching helped you in this role?
Being a teacher is a pretty unique job, and each school is more unique still. Being a teacher helped me understand what is important to students, and how teachers try to help them. It also made me really passionate about getting students good outcomes. Knowing so many amazing young people who have worked hard for their grades has made me want to see them get great jobs too. Unifrog is there to help them do that, so teaching has made me really energised by Unifrog's mission. It was a privilege to teach, but I love helping teachers see their students succeed after school.
What's your favourite Unifrog tool and why?
It's not a deep cut, but I love the personality quiz. I wish I'd done one of these way earlier in my life. It's a great start to looking at careers! It makes students think way more realistically about what they're interested in. When I was in school I did a careers quiz which told me to become a DJ. While 11 year old me was flattered that the internet thought I was a budding Chris Moyles, I don't think anyone who'd actually met me would have though the same. If I'd done an interests or personality quiz first, I don't think I'd have been given such a rogue suggestion!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Having studied history I'm tempted to be niche, but I'll try to go for someone you won't need to Wikipedia. With that narrowing of the historical field I'd go for Nelson Mandela. Overcoming such adversity, being so dedicated to unity, I think he'd have some incredible insight. I'm staggered by his perseverance. I'd love to ask how he found strength to keep going. As a man who saw Apartheid fall, and rebuilt the rainbow nation after, I'd be fascinated by the details of how he did it. I also think it would be interesting to hear where he would start to change the world today!
What's your karaoke song?
It really depends on the karaoke! Having been in a few shows, my first solo was ‘Mr Bombastic’ which has remained as a classic. More of a crowd pleaser would be ‘My Heart Will Go On’, which always gives good options for dramatic interpretation. And what karaoke isn't helped by some dramatic interpretation…
Tom Yeaman, Head of Data and Insights
When are you at your happiest?
I'm at my happiest when I'm solving problems. Luckily, I get to do this everyday at Unifrog! My role requires me to get stuck into a wide range of problems; I’ve spent time analysing Unifrog usage data to help inform the training we run with partner schools, as well as building automated processes to keep our accountancy software and sales data synchronised. It’s really exciting to be a part of an agile, social mission driven company, where I have greater responsibility and influence on how we achieve our goals.
What motivates you about your role?
Everyday, we help students make better decisions on their futures - which is pretty motivating in and of itself. Also, I find I'm at my most motivated when I'm working as part of a team. Due to the ambition of the company I'm often collaborating with smart colleagues to solve big problems - meaning I start each day with a spring in my step!
What is your favourite hobby?
That’s a difficult one, but I would say trekking. My wife and I have trekked across Spain, in the Himalayas & through the Costa Rican jungle in the last few years. My legs are still recovering from a 25km walk to Kew Gardens, maybe more of an urban hike than a trek! PS: my photo was taken near the summit of Acatenango, a dormant volcano in Guatemala.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Being able to fly would be hard to beat. It would be enormously satisfying to be able to shave five minutes off my trip to Tesco (oh, and travel the world of course!)
Vikki Garner, Partnerships Director (UK and Employers)
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!
Yoanne Tong, Partnerships Manager
How has your background in teaching helped you in this role?
Teaching involves a lot of explaining new concepts, breaking down complex information and answering questions - which is basically what I do in my PSL role at Unifrog! My background is in TEFL in private language institutions, which means that keeping all students happy and satisfied was really important - likewise we want to make sure our partner schools feel 100% supported. Finally being on the international team means that I get to work with schools around the world - which is fantastic because in the TEFL world, I was used to working with teachers and students from everywhere!
How do you make sure you keep in touch with the rest of the team when you’re working remotely?
It’s pretty normal for us as everybody on the team lives in different cities/countries! The most difficult part has been the time difference, but we have weekly team meetings, regular socials, and I meet with Arash every day to catch-up. I also love Unifrog’s modern approach to working - we are just trusted to get on with it!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was never obsessed with one particular job - I think I wanted to be something different every week. A pop star, a vet, a teacher, a lawyer... I was quite a restless child and always wanted to learn, do, try something new!
When I was a teenager, my secret dream job was to be a travel writer or journalist - it kind of still is! I really enjoy the process of writing, especially sharing experiences or giving advice, and I find it very therapeutic.
Where is the best place you've travelled to, and why is it your favourite?
Can I have a top three!? I did a three-week trek in the Himalayas a few years ago, and it was just incredible to wake up in the Himalayas and walk five or six hours every day, passing through the tiny mountain villages and the occasional Buddhist monastery! In the same trip, I also spent three months in India, which was just an insane, chaotic experience - the colours, the noise, the smells… everything was a real shock to the system, and the people are so unbelievably kind!
Finally, of course, Colombia - not just because I lived there for four years! You will never find such an amazing range of landscapes in one country - from crystalline Caribbean beaches and arid desert, to dense Amazon rainforest and coastal Pacific jungle, to Andean mountains and páramos… it’s a nature-lover’s paradise!
Zoe Long, Area Manager
What made you want to work for Unifrog?
Throughout my career, I've been deeply engaged in the captivating worlds of widening participation and career development. My passion lies in smashing barriers and ensuring that every young individual, regardless of their origins or talents, can revel in equal opportunities. Witnessing them chase their aspirations and navigate seamless transitions fuels my enthusiasm.
Becoming a member of the Unifrog family was a natural choice for me, aligning perfectly with my quest to reshape the narrative. It's all about empowering students at an earlier juncture, kindling their potential, and propelling them towards their own unique destinations. Reflecting on my own school days, I often yearned for a resource as enchanting as Unifrog. Its magical impact in aiding young people to craft a more enlightened path for their future is undeniable.
So, here's to shaking up the game, shaping destinies, and ushering students into a realm of boundless possibilities – a journey I'm thrilled to be a part of!
What's the most surprising thing you've learnt working at Unifrog (so far)?
I've been genuinely astounded by the excess of tools and resources the platform offers. Unifrog transcends the conventional boundaries of a mere destinations platform; it's a multifaceted gem that fosters cultural understanding, cultivates fresh skills, and widens the outlooks of possibilities for students. The nostalgic feeling of "if only this had existed during my school days" is undisputable – a sentiment that resonates profoundly!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I were trapped in a never-ending mealtime loop, you'd find me gleefully slurping down a variety of king prawn curries. Seafood and Indian cuisine have my heart in a culinary dance-off, and this dish takes the crown every time!
How would your friends describe you?
Always up for a laugh, generous, and full of unflinching truth. I've got your back, even if the truth stings a little!
Zoe Mackenzie, People and Development Manager
What made you want to work at Unifrog?
One of the reasons I was keen to work at Unifrog was its social mission. It’s quite important to me that my workplace has a wider social purpose. When I had my interview, the staff on the panel were just so friendly too - and having now met the team at the Team Day, I can confirm this goes for everyone else!
What’s your favourite thing about your role?
The best part of my role is the fact that it’s so people-facing. I really enjoy getting to know people, so it’s great to have a role where I get the chance to chat to the whole team, learn what they do, and work out how best I can support them.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I think I’d choose to live in Tasmania. In 2020, before the pandemic hit, I was travelling around Australia with a friend and we stayed with a family who lived there. It’s the most beautiful place you can imagine. There’s loads of independent art going on, vineyards, beaches, and freshly grown food. The family I was staying with had a boat, so we even went lobster fishing, caught a lobster, and ate it on the same day!
The one caveat is that I’d have to bring all my family and friends with me, as Tasmania’s a bit of a distance from the UK!
Which reality TV programme do you think you’d win, and why?
I’m not sure if this counts as reality TV, but I definitely think I could win Pointless. I always used to watch it when I was coming home from school, so I’ve got a good knowledge of the different categories that might come up. You have to do it in pairs, so I’d go with my housemate - she’s got the pop culture sorted, and I studied geography at university. So if the right categories came up, I reckon we could win!