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!

Aishah Nahar, Content Creator

What motivates you to work at Unifrog?

I am motivated by empowering students to make well-informed decisions about their future, regardless of their background. I think there’s a lot to be said for the power of young minds. Working at Unifrog gives me the opportunity to support the growth of independence and resilience of young people across the world. As a bonus, the team and company culture also drives me to be the best Unifrogger I can be. It’s a truly wonderful and inspiring environment to work and grow in! 

What's your favourite Unifrog tool?

My favourite has to be the Know-how library, of course! I have a child-like curiosity about things which I’ve never really outgrown. So while I am a Know-how library content creator, I often find myself lost in the wide array of existing guides. This same energy is what helps me get into research rabbit holes for any new content I create. The other great part about the Know-how library is that we listen to what students want and produce it. So if you have any suggestions, you can always get in touch with the Content team and we’ll see what we can do!

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

Although she is very much alive, it would have to be the iconic Kimberlé Crenshaw. She’s a prominent scholar of critical race theory and a civil rights activist. Crenshaw coined the term ‘Intersectionality’ in 1989 to refer to the specific challenges or discrimination people may experience as a result of their intersecting identity markers. She transformed my understanding of feminism in a way that influences everything I’ve done since. I would love to meet her for a game of crazy golf (and some light discussion on the evolution of third wave feminism and how online campaigns have become a vehicle for global change). I feel like she would be a great mentor and I could learn a lot from her about female leadership. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Firstly, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Secondly, surround yourself with people, places, and activities that help you be your best self. And finally, trust your gut instincts more. The older you get, the more you realise that the best thing about life is being in good company (including your own), making mistakes (and learning from them), and self-actualising (we love a growth mindset). So, Yung Aish, stop being a perfectionist, locate your chill, and be kind to yourself! 

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.

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.

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.

Chris Edwards, Head of UK Sales

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!

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!

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 seems like a bit of an obvious choice - 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 some small beers to finish the day. 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.

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.

Farhana Somani, International Area Manager

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.

Hayley Jayne Wilkinson, Account Manager

What do you like the most about your role?

Meeting new people - it’s mostly been on Zoom so I’m looking forward to meeting people in person again! I work with lots of different teachers as well, and love being able to help them out and share my knowledge and excitement about the platform with them!

What’s the best thing about working at Unifrog?

Definitely the people. I love spending time with the team on our team days and catch ups - even when they’re online and not in person! And it’s not just the people, but the whole ethos behind what we do for our users and our employees. We really do look after each other and Unifrog as a company looks after us. We have so many measures to support our wellbeing and to make sure we are happy! We have a staff book club, we do quizzes, and we run social activities like a bake-off (which I won, by the way!).

What's your favourite pizza?

It’s a strange one! First of all, it has to be a pizza on a proper fresh dough base. Then, I like BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, and my three toppings are chicken, red onion, and pineapple. Pineapple on pizza is the best and BBQ sauce has a hint of sweetness that brings out the flavour of my toppings perfectly- I have a sweet tooth so it’s so me! Oh, and you’ve got to have a garlic and herb dip to top it off! So good! 

Where is the best place you've ever travelled to? Why is it the best?

In 2018, I went to Stockholm with my fiancé and absolutely loved it. We went in November, so it was very cold but I do enjoy the winter and getting wrapped up warm. It was such a lovely city - not too busy and plenty of history to explore and learn about. As a stationery addict, the highlight of my week was discovering lots of new stationery brands and stores. Scandinavian stationery design is my favourite so I certainly stocked up on lots of new notebooks and pens whilst I was there!

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

My family always tell me to go on The Great British Bake Off! In fact, my fiancé thinks my cakes are better than the ones he’s eaten from bakeries, and he’s really critical so for that to come from him is high praise! 

I love baking, but I actually think I’d be too nervous for Bake Off. I feel like I wouldn’t have a clue for the blind bake and the timings would stress me out. I’m normally really calm but baking just does something to me! I was baking one evening at home for my team in my last job and it went wrong - I got so stressed, I threw the pan across the kitchen and my fiancé banned me from baking for work! I would make headlines with my stress! As much as I love baking, I love eating the cake - if you’re not allowed to lick the bowl on Bake Off, I don’t want to be on it!

Jacqui Hogan, Account Manager

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

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

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

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

Is working for a social enterprise important to you?

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

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

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

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 a master’s degree at uni in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, a subject I love and find fascinating. I volunteer at Childline as a counsellor once a week which is incredibly rewarding, and lastly, I’m a trained massage therapist and I work the odd shift at a local clinic to keep my hand in. 

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.

Jonathan Woolgar, Content Creator and Editor

Describe your role at Unifrog

I’m a content creator and editor, which means I write and update profiles and guides across our Careers, Subjects, and Know-how libraries. This usually involves quite a lot of research - which is great, because I love learning new things! (Whenever I’m researching interesting careers for a new guide, I inevitably envisage myself in the role: ‘Oh wow, I bet I’d make a great cardiologist!’) I also edit and proofread work by other content creators - I’m essentially the grammar police.

How has your background in editing helped you in this role?

I used to work at a publishing company - editing books, liaising with authors, and making sure everything was in order for publication. There was a lot of grammar to be fixed and many sentences to be rewritten, and I needed a keen eye for detail. I think it honed my appreciation for good, concise, informative non-fiction writing - something I strive for in my work at Unifrog!

What's your favourite thing to do outside of work?

I love a good walk in the countryside. Getting out into nature, with birds and butterflies and trees and fields - there’s nothing better. Throw in a picnic and I’m in absolute heaven. I’m a bit of a gamer, so if the weather’s too bad to go out, you can usually find me adventuring across a virtual landscape - although there’s normally more dragons and frost trolls than we get in Suffolk. I'm also a big fan of the theatre.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Choices you make now won’t lock you into one path forever. If something doesn’t work out, who cares? Have another go later, or try something else. See what’s out there. And get a haircut, seriously.

Kate Garlick, Teaching Resources Creator and Editor

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

I’m incredibly lucky to have a role where I both enjoy my work and really believe in what I’m doing. It’s so important to me to feel like I’m making a positive difference, and the more I find out about the Unifrog platform and everything it has to offer young people, the more proud I feel to be part of the team.

I also really love my home office setup – the vibrant blue walls make me smile every morning!

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 emails, video calls, and a messaging platform called Slack. I’m also looking forward to some face-to-face team days to meet people in person. 

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 and how quickly I settled in and felt part of the team. It helps that everyone who works here is super 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 overthinker). 

I could get around this by keeping my powers a secret: I’d pretend to begin a journey, hide somewhere with a book and some snacks for a few hours, then teleport to my destination complaining about traffic or baggage delays... but I’d be living on my nerves in case my powers were accidentally exposed!

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 unbelievably cool!

What’s your pizza order?

I’m obsessed with vegetables – especially sundried 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! 

Kelly Lake, 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...

Lauren Jackson, HE Partnerships Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

I have always believed in working for a company that mirrors your values, and it can be hard to find that. I have always been a very strong believer that education should never be treated primarily as a business, and Unifrog really believes in its mission of putting students first. You also get the feeling that Unifrog cares about its employees in the same way as well!

How has your background in education helped you in this role?

I’ve worked in so many different spaces in education - admissions and recruitment, edtech, careers and university counseling. I think they’ve all really helped me as an HE partnerships manager when working with universities to understand how best to meaningfully engage with students, providing content that will empower them to make informed choices on their future. 

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

I’m not sure I could pick just one place! Definitely somewhere which is pedestrian-friendly, with great food and friendly people, and lots of nature to explore! The first place that comes to mind is Italy. 

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

This may sound a little cheesy, but don’t let fear hold you back from trying something new. You never know what you may learn about yourself, or about the world.

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.

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!

Mike Prokopiou, Video Lead & Project Manager

What made you want to work at Unifrog?

Unifrog seemed like an exciting place to work (and it is)! Everyone I spoke with before I joined was lovely, seemed excited about working here and was full of ideas. I liked the idea of being a part of a growing company and trying something a bit different to working in sport TV production, which is what I was working on before.

What's your favourite tool on the platform, and why?

For my favourite tool, I'd have to say something video related... the Careers library, because it's introduced me to jobs I had no idea even existed.

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

This is a very tough question. My instant answer would be Wanaka in New Zealand as it's so beautiful there. But I'd also love to live in Asia for a year or so, because I love the foods and cultures... so maybe in Tokyo or Seoul. 

What would your perfect weekend look like?

My perfect weekend would be going to Old Trafford to see Manchester United play (viva Ronaldo), followed by dinner with friends. Then I'd have a chilled Sunday drinking coffee.

Natalie Smith, Account Manager

Describe your role

My role as an Account Manager is to support schools in making the most of the Unifrog platform! This includes meeting with teachers and careers staff, running training sessions and putting together Year Plans.

What do you like most about your role?

Definitely meeting with my schools (albeit virtually!). Everyone is always so lovely and a personal highlight is when they come out with 'wow, I didn’t know it could do that!' Unifrog always brings out lots of brand new tools and resources, which is great to be able to share with my schools as I know it will make their lives much easier! The team at Unifrog is also unbeatable. 

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

Definitely New Zealand! I went travelling there last year (just before Covid-19 hit) and I just fell in love with the place. The views are incredible and the people are so friendly. It helps that I wouldn’t have to learn a new language too, as that isn’t my strong point! 

What was your favorite subject in school and why? 

I think your favourite subject in school tends to just be determined by your favourite teacher! I did really enjoy Geography though, and ended up studying Physical Geography at University. The field trips were definitely a big perk but I can’t say that what I’ve learnt about rocks has been much use when working with schools!

Rachel David, Marketing & Events Assistant

Describe your role

In a nutshell, my role is currently split across social media marketing, and graphic design for the posters and promotions of Unifrog’s events and fairs. I’m also helping set those up, along with our themed weeks.

What do you like most about your role (so far)?

I really enjoy being creative, so that element of the graphic design is really fun. Playing an important role in making sure the events run smoothly and seeing them pan out successfully feels good too.

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

I don’t think I’ve been to enough places to know the answer to this just yet! But I lived in Barcelona as part of my year abroad whilst I was studying Spanish at university, so I’d love to live there again. The combination of city and beach, and its mixture of old and modern architecture, was the perfect balance.

What's your favourite way to spend a day off?

I’d like a bit of pampering! Getting my hair and nails done would be nice. And it sounds really boring, but I also enjoy errands! Tidying my room, doing my laundry… I find I neglect these things after work. So having a day to tick these things off the list is really satisfying.

Rob Cannings, International Area Manager

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.

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!
 

Stephen Rodwell, Operations and Finance Manager

Describe your role as Operations and Finance Manager at Unifrog

I'm responsible for the smooth running of the office from day-to-day, whether that means coordinating our programme of UK and international conferences or helping to improve our team workspace. I also manage the company's finances along with Libbie, our Operations and Finance Assistant. Essentially, this means I keep a close eye on our income and expenditure and try to save money wherever possible! If I ever find a spare moment (rare!), I really enjoy getting involved in other parts of what Unifrog do, whether that's writing and editing for the Unifrog platform or getting stuck into data research.

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?

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 Mackenzie, HR and Operations Lead

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!