Meet Our Leadership Team and Advisory Board

. _ Rajay is our Chief Executive Officer. He was formerly Global Chief Commercial Officer of Study Group, the world’s largest pathway provider and previously was co-founder and CEO for five years at Keypath Education which runs the online degrees of UNSW, Melbourne, Exeter, Aston and other universities. From 2010 until 2015, Rajay served as Director of The Open University where he was co-founder of the FutureLearn MOOC platform.​ Rajay was one of five members on the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance chaired by Lord Browne. He has served as board member of Coventry City Football Club, UK-ASEAN Business Council, CBI Skilled Commission, and Chairman of the Big Lottery Fund which invests over £1.5bn per year.   Rajay is a non-executive director of Pay.UK which oversees the UK’s payments system and Governor of the Ditchley Foundation. Rajay holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Warwick.

. _ Paul leads the execution and optimisation of all student marketing, recruitment and retention services.  Paul has worked in online post-graduate education since 2006 with successful careers in music and online advertising before that. As an International Recruitment Director at Laureate Online Education Paul led the recruitment operations on pioneering portfolios with the University of Liverpool, Walden University and the University of Roehampton.   Joining Cambridge Education Group in 2018 as Director of Student Recruitment Paul led the company to great success over the next 4 years building online partnerships such as Queen Mary University, London, Hull University, Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), Portsmouth University, Falmouth University and many others. Paul also keeps his passion for music alive by running an independent record label, Hi-Phi Music.

. _ Mark spent the first 10 years of his career as a physics teacher before moving to the US, where he earned a Masters’ degree in Technology in Education at Harvard University, subsequently leading Harvard’s educational technology team to develop and expand their capacity to deliver classes online. On returning home to the UK, he completed a PhD at Edinburgh University, focusing on the effective design of online and blended undergraduate courses. Over the past fifteen years, Mark has successfully partnered with numerous universities, charities, educational publishers and multinational corporations to create engaging and effective online learning. He has also taught a large number of courses on the topic to educators from around the world at Harvard University, as well as an undergraduate course in digital skills at the Open University.

. _ Kathleen is a dynamic leader in global higher education, dedicated to driving student success, operational excellence, and transformative growth. With a proven track record of solving complex challenges, she has led high-performing teams and strategic initiatives that have shaped the online education landscape. ​ She spearheaded unprecedented growth in student enrolment, program completion rates, and operational efficiency combined with the launch of new programs, while forgingstrategic partnerships, and expanded into new markets, ensuring sustainable and scalable success. ​ With deep expertise in enrollment strategy, student experience, and international education, Kathleen is a problem-solver and senior strategist who thrives on building impactful partnerships and leading teams to exceed expectations. Her extensive industry network reflects her ability to connect, inspire, and deliver results. She is an independent consultant.

. _ Jonathan leads the sourcing of high-quality leads and guides their journey from awareness to enrolment. His team works closely with Skilled’s Recruitment teams in particular to understand prospect and applicant feedback; analyse data; identify trends; and optimise and refine campaigns.  At Laureate Education, Jonathan led online student recruitment campaigns for universities including Liverpool, Roehampton, UEM, and Walden. The efforts of Jonathan and his team made several of these universities major leaders in global online education with hundreds of thousands of high-quality full degree graduates.  Jonathan has also held senior roles within Universities - primarily to head the marketing and advertising of online degree programs - such as IE University and IE Business School.

. _ René is an experienced sales and recruitment leader with a strong background in organisational and business psychology. With over a decade of experience in student recruitment, sales training, and team leadership, René has built and managed high-performing enrolment teams across international markets. She specialises in developing and leading expert recruitment teams that drive growth for university partners in the online education space. Her work focuses on optimising every stage of the student recruitment funnel—from initial inquiry through to enrolment—ensuring a highly personalised, consultative approach that increases conversion velocity and supports long-term enrolment goals. René is known for her strategic mindset, collaborative approach, and ability to build strong, results-focused teams that deliver exceptional outcomes for universities and learners alike. She is an independent consultant.​​​​​​​

. _ Infectiously curious about finding new ways to deliver better experiences and outcomes for online students, John has led teams to drive enrolment growth, improve retention, and provide better learning models for universities worldwide for over 15 years. With deep expertise in student recruitment, digital learning, and operational leadership, John has worked with universities and education partners globally to design and scale high-performing student recruitment and success teams. His background spans senior roles in operations, learning and development, and student support, giving him a 360-degree view of the online education landscape. ​ John focuses on building efficient systems, optimising student journeys, and fostering collaborative relationships with university partners. He brings a unique blend of strategic oversight and hands-on experience, having led teams across Europe and beyond in roles at Cambridge Education Group, Laureate Online, and Higher Ed Partners.

. _ Barbara is a relationship-driven education professional with extensive experience in student recruitment, support, and academic operations within online higher education.  Barbara previously spent over a decade at Laureate Online Education, where she led student recruitment teams, managed academic support services, and served as a key liaison between universities, faculty, and students to streamline processes and enhance the learner journey. ​ With an MBA from the University of Liverpool and a background in English Philology, Barbara combines strategic insight with a passion for education and student success. She is a creative problem solver and lifelong learner, inspired by collaboration, continuous improvement, and building meaningful connections in the EdTech space. Barbara is an independent consultant.

. _ Naima is a communications and brand specialist supporting universities in showcasing their online programmes and engaging prospective students through impactful storytelling and strategic communications. With a focus on clarity, accessibility, and purpose-driven content, Naima helps craft messaging that reflects each university partner’s brand while highlighting the unique value of their online offerings. ​ Naima works closely with marketing and recruitment teams to develop content that resonates with diverse global audiences. From writing compelling student stories and programme overviews to refining brand messaging across digital channels, she ensures every touchpoint strengthens engagement and builds trust with prospective learners. Her expertise helps universities stand out in an increasingly competitive online education landscape.

. _ Emily Fox is a creative and strategic brand designer with over nine years of experience in branding, content strategy, and visual storytelling. She crafts purposeful, user-centric designs that strengthen brand identity and connect with audiences.  ​ With a background in content marketing and a First-Class degree in PR & Communications from the University of Greenwich, Emily combines design thinking with strategic marketing insight. She’s passionate about helping brands tell their stories through cohesive visual identities, ensuring every creative decision is rooted in research and aligned with business goals. Whether refreshing an established brand or building one from scratch, Emily is dedicated to delivering thoughtful, impactful design solutions that stand out.

. _ Suneiza  is a dynamic recruitment and business development professional with extensive experience in digital marketing, student recruitment, and international education. Sunny leads student acquisition efforts for American University’s online programmes, combining her people-centric approach with strategic insights to drive enrolment growth. With a proven track record of exceeding sales targets and building strong relationships, she excels at guiding prospective students through the admissions journey while fostering collaboration across teams. ​ Multilingual and highly adaptable, she thrives in fast-paced, multicultural environments and is known for her exceptional communication skills and passion for education. With a Master’s in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University, Sunny brings a global perspective to every project, consistently delivering results while empowering students and clients alike to achieve their goals.

. _ Brent Hoberman CBE is Co-Founder and Executive Chair Founders Forum. Brent is a renowned entrepreneur and investor, best known as the Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Founders Forum, Founders Factory, and firstminute capital – a $500M global seed fund backed by over 130 founders. He previously co-founded and exited two unicorns: lastminute.com and made.com. ​Brent has supported and launched ventures across sectors including edtech, healthtech, cleantech, and AI, with several of his co-founded businesses raising over $1 billion collectively. He sits on multiple advisory boards including Google Cloud and the UK Government Digital Service, and was awarded a CBE for services to entrepreneurship.

. _ Natalie Campbell MBE MIH is Chancellor University of Westminster. Natalie is an award-winning social entrepreneur and Co-CEO of Belu Water, a social enterprise that donates 100% of its profits to WaterAid. She has held leadership roles across the public, private, and charitable sectors, including Director of Insight & Innovation at The Royal Foundation and Founding Director of Sussex Royal. Natalie serves as Chancellor of the University of Westminster, a Civil Service Commissioner, and sits on the boards of several public bodies including the National Lottery Community Fund. A passionate advocate for purpose-led business, she has been recognised on the WISE100 and Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35 lists.

. _ Nick Hillman is Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. Nick has been Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) since 2014, shaping national debates on higher education policy and research. He previously served as Special Adviser to the Minister for Universities and Science, Rt Hon David Willetts MP, and has also worked as a History teacher and in public affairs at the Association of British Insurers. Nick is a governor at the University of Manchester and the University of Buckingham, an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary University of London, and a Companion of the British Academy of Management. His publications span student loans, university access, free speech, and UK higher education reform.

. _ Scott is committed to leading the organisation to build trust around the world, supporting global peace and prosperity. He believes the British Council’s strength comes from the interconnectivity of its work in arts and culture, education and the English language. Previously, Scott was the President & CEO of the Oliver Wyman Group and sat on the Executive Committee of Marsh & McLennan Companies, including more than 75,000 staff in over 100 countries. Before joining Oliver Wyman, Scott worked in investment banking, the editorial side of the magazine industry, and ran a small publishing company. Scott is a member of the Global Strategy & Leadership Expert Panel of McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management. He also sits on the European Advisory Board for The Nature Conservancy and the Advisory Group for Yodomo, a UK crafting platform. Scott has degrees in Finance & Economics from McGill University and International Relations from Cambridge University. In his spare time, he is an avid hiker, runner and fisherman and lives in London with his wife and daughter.

. _ Dame Nancy Rothwell is the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester. Nancy was appointed President & Vice-Chancellor of the University in July 2010, the first woman to lead the University or either of its two predecessor institutions, and her term ended in July 2024. Professor Rothwell is currently working alongside the newly appointed President & Vice -Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison and appointed Campaign and External Relations Ambassador and Emeritus. She is also Professor of Physiology, and has previously held an MRC Research Chair, as well as holding University positions as Vice-President for Research and as Deputy President & Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Rothwell’s research in the field of neuroscience has contributed towards major advances in the understanding and treatment of brain damage in stroke and head injury.

. _ Alison Johns FRSA is Chief Executive Officer of Advance HE. Alison leads Advance HE, the UK’s sector agency for leadership, governance, teaching and learning, and equality in higher education. With over two decades of experience shaping policy and practice, she has held senior leadership roles across HEFCE, the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, and now Advance HE. Alison is also Deputy Chair of Court at the University of St Andrews and serves on several boards supporting institutional development and sector advancement. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership, strategic transformation, and sector-wide collaboration.

. _ Amit Sevak is Chief Executive Officer of ETS, the world’s largest private educational assessment organisation, serving over 50 million people annually across 200 countries. With more than two decades of global leadership in higher education and workforce development, Amit has led institutions across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Amit is a passionate advocate for innovation in learning, skills-based assessment, and equity in education. Prior to ETS, he held senior roles at Mindset Global, the University of Europe, and INTI International University. Amit holds degrees from Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago.

. _ Joanne Roxburgh is a strategic education leader, systems thinker, and force behind several of the world’s most innovative higher education ventures. Joanne has held senior roles at Pearson, EF Education First, and universities across Asia and the Middle East. She helped launch Tomorrow University in Germany and Sabancı University in Turkey, as well as Skilled Education, where she shaped early strategy, partnerships, and positioning. Her doctoral research at Lancaster University focused on governance, culture, and regulation in England’s evolving tertiary sector. This underpins her current work on lifelong learning solutions and the reimagining of higher education across the UK, Europe, and MENA.

. _ Dr. Paul LeBlanc is Co-founder and Board Chair of Human Systems. Paul is the co-founder and Matter and Space, an AI and education company launched with George Siemens. Formerly the long-serving President of Southern New Hampshire University, he helped grow SNHU from 2,800 to over 250,000 students, making it the largest non-profit provider of online education in the U.S. His leadership of the SNHU over more than 20 years led to numerous awards and a formidable global reputation. Recognised in particular for accelerating innovation in higher education, Paul is also an author, advisor, and passionate advocate for equity and access in learning. He continues to shape the future of education through research, writing, and his latest venture, Matter and Space.