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!

Abbie Moir, Assistant Video Editor and Producer

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 an assistant video editor and producer 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."

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!

Alyssa El-Shamma, International 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).

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.

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, but I would love to attend a team day event in person in the future if POTS allows!

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.
 

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.

Cassie Ruddock, Data Officer

Describe your role

My job as a Data Officer 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.

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.

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.  

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.

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...

Connie Wong, Partner Success 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!

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…

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.

Ellis Joseph, International Partnerships Lead

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.

Farhana Somani, Head of International Business Development

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.

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’.

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.

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 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!

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.’

Jen Carter, Account 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.

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.

Julia Jaworska, International 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!

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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…

Lucy Lundstrom, International 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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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).

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.

Scott Blake, Assistant Video Editor and Producer

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!

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!
 

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!

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, Video Editor

What does an average day as Junior Video Editor for Unifrog look like?

An average day usually starts with a review of current video projects to see where our edits are, to assess how much work still needs to be done and to plan for upcoming videos ahead. I’ll then update Mike, our video lead/project manager, on my plan for the day and begin editing! Once I’ve reached a point where I think a video is good enough for review, I then send it to the video team for feedback and make any amendments necessary before the video goes live on the platform. 

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

I’ve been most surprised by the sheer scope and range of employer and university partners who now work with Unifrog to reach aspiring students. In my first month alone, I’ll have edited videos across our Careers library and employer profiles for national law firms, asset management companies, banks, electrical suppliers, and airlines to name a few!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’d have a big plate of spicy lamb chop curry with garlic naan. I’m a huge fan of Indian cuisine – and the hotter the better!

Which reality TV contest/programme do you think you'd win? 

I reckon I’d have good run on Takeshi's Castle – I watched it so much growing up the show must have instilled some untapped warrior skills in me, ready to be unleashed when the show runners come calling.

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!

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!