Partners and Guest Speakers

Rapport

About the Company

Rapport is an award winning, specialist company that provides corporate organisations with a range of fully managed front and back of house guest services. Our tailored services are provided to clients in all major cities in the UK and Ireland and in key locations in the US and Hong Kong.

We are very proud to count some of the UK’s most forward-thinking, blue-chip companies as our clients, from small boutique firms to large multi-site international corporations, all with a common goal to provide excellent Customer Service.

Our people come first, and we are committed to developing you and offering a number of fantastic professional and personal development opportunities. We have a suite of over 50 training workshops and a number of Leadership programmes to support you with your development and career progression within Rapport.

Career opportunities

Rapport has a portfolio of 100+ buildings across London, UK Regions, and Ireland. We offer competitive salaries and a wide range of full-time, permanent roles (40 hours per week), Monday to Friday. Yes, you will have your weekends off!

Rapport is currently recruiting for Corporate Receptionists/Guest Services and other senior, customer-facing roles. You can find out about all our career opportunities HERE.

Some of our benefits include:

Why Rapport?

Our people come first, and we are committed to developing you and offering a number of fantastic professional and personal development opportunities. We have a suite of over 50 training workshops and a number of Leadership programmes to support you with your development and career progression within Rapport.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and inclusion within the workplace, and we celebrate everyone’s differences and diverse backgrounds. We have created a number of Employee Networks as part of our “Be Yourself at Rapport” programme, to create a safe space for our Ambassadors to connect and collaborate, ensuring we champion diversity and inclusion in all that we do.

Our Ambassadors’ mental and physical wellbeing is very important to us, and we continue to have a real focus on providing the varied support and initiatives for our teams to get involved in.

Rapport is also a Disability Confident Employer, and we have a number of partnerships with external organisations providing job opportunities within the company for people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Our most prestigious awards include:

Rapport is a part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, a FTSE 100 company. Please visit our website, www.rapportservice.com, for further information and before applying to learn more about Rapport and our clients.

Nicky Pratt

Starting her career in catering 20 years ago, Nicky Pratt pivoted to events management, leveraging her sociology degree to excel in business management and marketing.

Nicky’s journey included diverse roles, from PA to Sales & Marketing Director, before finding her passion in business development. Today, she leads a team handling inquiries and building new client relationships, ensuring continued growth for the company.

Atish Parmar

As Director of Metric Connect, I help businesses achieve exceptional customer growth through our custom paid advertising and email marketing strategies. Since March 2019, I've led the company's growth, expanding the team to 7. While my background lies in social media marketing (SMM) with a focus on short video content and promotion (including platforms like Meta and TikTok), I consider myself more of a business owner, driving the overall success of Metric Connect.

Dr Jerome Paul Booth

Dr Jerome Paul Booth is a British economist, author, emerging markets investor and Executive Chairman of New Sparta.  He is also a former Chairman of Anglia Ruskin University. After working for the UK civil service and the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, he became Head of Research of a global investment bank and was then a founder and Head of Research of Ashmore Group plc, an emerging markets asset manager.

Dr Booth holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Bristol and an MPhil and DPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford, where he also briefly taught economics.

His first book, Emerging Markets in an Upside Down World, was published in 2014 and his second Have We All Gone Mad? about mass groupthink, in 2022. 

Jerome was also Chairman of the Fitzwilliam Museum Development Trust, Chairman of the Britten Sinfonia and a Board Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He was Chairman of UKCF (the national membership charity of Community Foundations).  He is a keen amateur musician and, through his company New Sparta Productions, a feature film producer.  

Elisa Macedo

Elisa Macedo is a highly respected communications professional with over a decade of experience. She's a strategic thinker who has helped politicians, businesses, and brands achieve success through data-driven communication strategies. Elisa is a published author and a skilled content creator with fluency in multiple languages.

Throughout her career, Elisa has played a key role in developing and implementing winning communication strategies. She is passionate about leveraging the power of communication to achieve positive outcomes.

Elisa has a proven track record of developing and implementing impactful communication strategies across various sectors. As for instance, she has:

• Consulted on political campaigns, providing crucial communication analysis and strategy development.
• Led marketing and social media teams, achieving goals through strategic planning and audience engagement.
• Created captivating content, including written and audio-visual materials.
• Managed public relations efforts, fostering positive relationships with the media and the public.

Gemma Adair

Meet Gemma, the powerhouse behind Riada Consultancy, a marketing expert who helps businesses unlock their marketing potential. With an impressive 20-year marketing journey, Gemma has worked for and with some of the world's largest tech giants, including Accenture, Microsoft, Avanade, AWS, Ricoh Europe, and K2 (Nintex). Her deep understanding of the tech industry shines through her expertise in marketing strategy, crafting multi-channel campaigns, spearheading lead generation, forging powerful partner alliances, and ensuring seamless sales alignment across regions like the UK and EMEA.

Greg Campbell

Greg Campbell has a wide-ranging background across housing, social care, local government, sports and leisure, commercial and voluntary sectors. In 1998, he established Greg Campbell Management Consultancy, which became Campbell Tickell in 2004. As a Management Consultant and Partner at Campbell Tickell, he has worked with more than 500 organisations across the UK and Ireland, tackling a wide range of strategic and operational matters. Specialist areas include business strategy, governance, regulation, growth and new business development, mergers and partnerships, PR and communications, procurement, executive and non-executive recruitment.

Edward Gallier

Edward Gallier is a Learning & Development professional with over 25 years of experience. He began his career as an HR generalist, but his passion for learning led him to transition into the L&D field.

For five years, he honed his skills as a self-employed L&D consultant, providing expertise to various organisations. Edward joined Leonardo Hotels, where he has spent the past 12 years leading the L&D team. As Head of L&D, Edward is responsible for designing and delivering engaging internal training programs, managing valuable apprenticeships and graduate schemes, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the organisation.

Leticia Fonseca

Leticia is a Certified Financial Advisor who is passionate about empowering individuals to manage their finances independently. From her journey arriving in the UK as a student in 2005, she transitioned from the hospitality industry (2005) to an Account Manager role (2009-2013). This shift sparked her interest in marketing, prompting her to pursue a CIM certification. Today, Leticia wears many hats. She dedicates herself to teaching financial literacy, empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she actively manages the marketing for her company, demonstrating her well-rounded skillset and entrepreneurial spirit. Leticia lives by Warren Buffett’s quote: “The more you learn, the more you earn.”

Melanie Coey

Melanie Coey:

I started my own business in 2015 when I was made redundant.

I had previously worked in Industry & converted to practice to set up my business.

Tax was always where my interest lay so it was a natural progression for me.

Prior to my tax exams, I studied Applied Mathematics at Queen’s University of Belfast.

I am a proud mummy of 2 boys who are 17 & 13.

Being self-employed allowed me to choose when I worked & when I spent time with my children.

I am now an Author of Amazon Best seller of Unlock the Entrepreneur Within.

I have now started a new business with a Horse Box coffee dock called Tea And the Gang NI.

Nathan Robinson

Nathan is a GP registrar, and healthtech innovation fellow. In 2021, he ranked 2nd in Powerful Media's Top 150 Future Leaders for co-designing a simulation program to rapidly upskill redeployed staff during COVID-19. He has previously worked for a health-tech start-up aiming to improve service delivery in primary care and also has an interest in health equity, with publications in the decolonising medicine space.

Nneka Nwaefulu

Nneka Nwaefulu brings over 3 years of recruitment experience to The House of Commons, leveraging her Business and Retail Management degree. After joining The House in 2019, she transitioned from the Recruitment team to the Early Careers team in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to fostering the next generation of talent.

Paul Flowers

Retailing Construction and Manufacturing.

I have spent my working life in a variety of Industry Sectors.

I have been working in the Accountancy space with the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) for seven years now and hope to share my knowledge and experiences with you.

And also to learn about how our Organisation can assist you in your Transition from Academic Study to the Workplace.

Priscilla Sousa

“Priscilla is currently working as Senior Management Consultant at Hitachi, delivering Digital Transformations. Her main expertise are within Business Analysis & Assessments, Business Intelligence, Digital Integrations, Data Management, Product Management and Programme Management. Priscilla has a background designing Risk Management, Policy Management and Claims Management software for the Banking and Insurance industry. She has over 20 years’ management experience. In addition, she holds an internal role within Hitachi Consulting and Offerings Practice as a Global People & Culture Lead.

In addition to the above, she has some interesting past experiences which shaped her career:

• Hospitality Industry – Priscilla was general manager in fine dining restaurants in London for over 12 years’, creating business strategies and managing large teams in a fast-paced environment. Whilst in the role, she decided to start a Finance and Accounting Degree at ARU London.

• The move created an opportunity to venture into the Fintech sector working for Empowered Systems who was a London-based financial software provider and an ARU partner.

• Later, she joined Thomson Reuters, where she was delivering innovative business software solutions for governance, risk, compliance, and regulatory reporting for organisations with complex data management challenges such as Tier 1 banks.”

Rupert Jones

Rupert Jones, a qualified accountant and CEO of Harley 104 Clinic and Longfield Polyclinic, is also a leader with a diverse portfolio.  His commitment to excellence extends beyond healthcare and financial services, as he leads successful businesses in education, property development, and restaurants.

Hazel Joseph

Deputy Director of Care Nightingale Hammerson

I was born and raised in Guyana, during my childhood I have always admired my aunt who was a nurse and drew my inspiration and admiration for the nursing profession at age sixteen I completed my secondary school examination known as the Caribbean Examination Certificate (CXC or A levels) and began my nursing career a year later at age seventeen. At age nineteen I qualified as an Assistant nurse (in 1992). I was not being satisfied being an Assistant nurse so I went on to further my nursing career and was qualified as a registered nurse in 2002 where I worked in several hospitals in Guyana before migrating to Montserrat in 2003. My dislike for bedside nursing led me to further my studies as an operating theatre nurse in 2004 where I worked predominantly as a surgical nurse (Scrub Nurse) supporting the surgeons during various surgical operations in 2006 I migrated to the UK (South Wales) where I was assigned to work in a care home. During that working experience, I developed a passion and love for elderly care. During my time working in health and social care. I attend several courses to broaden my knowledge in relation to elderly care in 2009 I migrated to London in search of a better opportunity to develop my career as a leader and more so as a manager within the health and social care fraternity. I have fortunately applied my knowledge and was appointed as Senior Lead Nurse in 90-bed care Within six months of working as a Senior Lead Nurse, I was offered a role as the Clinical Lead Nurse role and this was mainly due to my organizational, management, and leadership skills. In 2012 I was headhunted by a recruitment company and was successfully appointed Unit Manager at Nightingale Hammerson (Nightingale House South London Home) However, not satisfied with the level I was at in relation to the leadership and managerial skills I had attained in practice and the desire to broaden my knowledge. I decided to attend South Thames Colleges in Tooting where I successfully completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services. Having attained my QCF level 5 qualification in 2013, I was approached by the Directors of Care of Nightingale Hammerson to become the registered manager of Hammerson House and was appointed as the Registered Manager. It was during this period I was able to practice and develop my leadership and managerial skills. Expand my knowledge and understanding of health and social care in 2017 I worked closely with the Senior Leadership team and successfully decommissioned Hammerson House so it could be reconstructed. Following the decommissioning of Hammers House, I was appointed Education and Development Manager within the organization for a short period and later resigned from the role. During the rebuilding of Hammerson House, I continued to work with other care organizations as a Registered Manager further expanding my leadership and managerial skills within health and social care. In 2020 I was once again approached by the Director of Care to return to Nightingale Hammerson. I was appointed as Care Quality improvement lead for a short period and later the Deputy Director of Care and Registered Manager of Hammerson House in 2021. I currently have the overall responsibility y of managing Hammerson House which has the capacity to house 116 residents and leads a team of over 200 team members.

David Birkby

David Birkby brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked as a generalist HR since 2009, before transitioning to a Change Management role at Hestia, an organisation supporting survivors of abuse and slavery.

His current role involves partnering and supporting operational and administrative managers, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact on both individuals and the organisation.

David emphasises the importance of being people-focused in HR, highlighting the need for passion, empathy, and communication skills. He believes in active listening, creating a judgment-free environment, and empowering individuals.

According to David, he is a continuous learner, actively seeking out opportunities for professional development through case studies, podcasts, LinkedIn, and networking events. “Keep developing yourself – something important, I learned from my mentors”, says David. This dedication to growth ensures he remains equipped to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of human resources.

Convene & Etc.Venues

Convene & Etc.Venues

In a world of corporate grey, etc.venues is a welcome splash of pink. Our mission today is the same as it’s been since we opened in 1992: To rescue people from the tyranny of dull meeting venues… by inspiring them with vibrant design, contemporary art, fresh and carefully sourced food, and award-winning hospitality.

• Bringing people together

When it comes to developing closer, more meaningful working relationships, nothing replaces face-to-face meetings. Easier, more relaxed, and intuitive communication makes in-person meetings more inspiring, involving and inclusive, leading to deeper discussions and fostering genuine connections.

• Creating meaningful experiences

For over 30 years, we've hosted over 3,000,000 events for over 15 million guests, including business leaders, politicians and royalty. We help bring meetings and events to life, not superficially but through a deep understanding of how to best stimulate interaction and collaboration.

• Helping guests achieve their best

From the nutritious, carb-balanced food our in-house chefs create to the easy-to-navigate layouts of our spaces to the seamless built-in intuitive tech; every aspect of our guests' stay is carefully considered to ensure a truly effortless experience.

• Making a positive difference

We also think carefully about our environmental impact. We are committed to making a positive difference by reducing our carbon footprint, supporting local communities whilst ensuring we continue to fulfil our sustainability goals.

Master Your Finances

Master Your Finances helps to make money matters simple for everyone. This mission is guided by the principle that you are the best person to make decisions about your own personal finances.

Built on three central pillars of self-responsibility, simplicity and independence, Master Your Finances focuses on empowering people to save, manage and grow their money in the UK.

Through founder and managing director Leticia Fonseca, Master Your Finances has helped thousands of individuals master their finances through guidance on how to:

• Get out of debt
• Organise their finances and start budgeting
• Invest in the UK
• Boost their retirement savings
• Master Your Finances offers services and structures to suit a variety of needs:
• Personalised one-to-one financial wellbeing sessions
• On-demand money management courses
• Group workshops
• Group mentoring programmes to start investing in the stock market
• Financial wellbeing awareness seminars

Find more information at masteryourfinances.co.uk

Riada Consultancy

Meet Gemma, the powerhouse behind Riada Consultancy, a marketing expert who helps businesses unlock their marketing potential. With an impressive 20-year marketing journey, Gemma has worked for and with some of the world's largest tech giants, including Accenture, Microsoft, Avanade, AWS, Ricoh Europe, and K2 (Nintex). Her deep understanding of the tech industry shines through her expertise in marketing strategy, crafting multi-channel campaigns, spearheading lead generation, forging powerful partner alliances, and ensuring seamless sales alignment across regions like the UK and EMEA.

Visiting Angels

As the Registered Home Care Manager of our esteemed company, I am thrilled to highlight the exceptional care and innovation that defines Visiting Angels. For over 20 years, we have been a global leader in providing premium home care services, built upon the principles of recruiting, training, and supporting the finest caregivers.

At Visiting Angels, we recognize the extraordinary dedication of our caregivers—brilliant, loving, and highly professional individuals committed to delivering exceptional home care services. Unlike elsewhere, we place caregivers at the heart of our operations, ensuring they can provide truly personalized care to your family.

Throughout our history, Visiting Angels has pioneered numerous innovations. Our groundbreaking Choose Your Caregiver initiative was among the first in the industry, allowing families to select a caregiver who perfectly matches their needs and preferences.

Moreover, our Caregiver Rewards program exemplifies our commitment to fostering enduring bonds between caregivers and families. This initiative encourages longevity and stability in caregiving relationships.

As a company deeply committed to accountability and compliance, Visiting Angels has always been at the forefront of embracing legislative changes within the home care sector.

At Visiting Angels, we firmly believe that when we prioritize the well-being of our caregivers, they can better serve your family. Our position as one of the UK’s foremost carer-centric businesses underscores this philosophy, ensuring exceptional care and support for both our caregivers and your loved ones.

Metric Connect

Metric Connect is a social media marketing agency. Helping businesses & brands across the UK monetise company profiles and generate good quality leads through paid advertising. We are recognised as a Facebook Marketing Partner and a Google Partner. Our ethos is to help businesses grow through our vast knowledge within social media whilst being entrepreneurs ourselves. 

Our services include:

Social Media Management

Email Marketing

Influencer marketing

Content Creations

Corporate Consultations

Social Media Workshops

Our company always looks to work with fresh talent that believes in self-growth and deliver outstanding work. 

Check out our website: www.metricconnect.co.uk

My Nexus

Initiated by Gaynor on the idea of using gaming technology to help assess capability for investment purposes, myNexus quickly evolved into a technology tools provider to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the addition of James, and subsequently Dean, to the founding team.

Website: https://joinmynexus.com/

Twelve Ronnies

Twelve Ronnies are experienced commercial entrepreneurs and philanthropists with a long track record helping startups launch successfully.

The Twelve Ronnies Foundation’s mission is to stimulate the ideas economy of the future and make innovation possible for everyone.

We support ideas and innovation through prize competitions, helping companies crowdsource ideas as well as looking for ideas to solve some of societies big problems.

Website: https://www.12ronnies.com/

BaxterStorey

We want to be the best independent food service provider with a leading-edge reputation for food, service and team development. We achieve this through nurturing well-trained and highly motivated people; we value their contribution to ensure we consistently exceed expectations.

Although passionate about food our success comes from our people. They are passionate about food and passionate about serving our customers. Focusing on the importance of high standards they are constantly motivated to ensure our customers receive the ultimate dining experience.

Corbin & King

Corbin & King was founded by Chris Corbin & Jeremy King, who have been partners in business for nearly 40 years. The 90s saw the pair open various notable restaurants across London and they continue to make a significant contribution to the UK’s hospitality industry.

Today, Corbin & King’s current portfolio comprises The Wolseley on Piccadilly, The Delaunay in Aldwych, Brasserie Zédel in Soho, Colbert in Chelsea, Fischer's in Marylebone, Bellanger in Islington, Café Wolseley at Bicester Village and Soutine in St John’s Wood.

At Corbin & King, we believe that people are our biggest asset and we are proud to deliver hospitality from the heart to create places where people feel they belong.

Gategroup

Gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. We provide passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving more than 700 million passengers annually from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. In 2019, gategroup reached CHF 5.0 billion in revenues generated by approximately 43,000 employees worldwide.

Over the years we have worked hard to create a one gategroup culture where we are better than the sum of our parts. 

We work together, share information and learn from one another. This culture drives us to push the boundaries of our industry and excite our customers with our delivery and innovation. The unique styles, cultures and traditions of our global team creates a diverse work environment where we respect and celebrate individuality.

We are committed to building an organizational culture where everyone is motivated to reach their full potential. The foundation of this culture is a work environment where individuals are encouraged to be their best, develop their skills and capabilities, inspire others and be proud of their achievements.

Hill House Nursing Home

We are a Croydon based care home group which has always placed a great emphasis on our residents’ wellbeing whilst in our care and both homes are currently rated as “Good” by the Care Quality Commission. Hill House is a 60 bedded Nursing Dementia Care Home and Westside is a smaller care home, also specialising in nursing care. We are also delighted to have been awarded Beacon status, the highest level in the Gold Standards Framework End of Life Care, across both homes since 2009. We are described as “An outstanding, warm, friendly yet exceedingly professional Home group where it felt as though Gold Standards Framework has been cemented into the brick work and breathed through the air from day one" – The managers oversee all the unit managers, qualified nurses, carers, caterers and domestic staff,  providing residents with 24-hour assistance and the highest level of care. We are totally confident in our staff’s abilities. In fact, founder Mrs Carey was a resident at Hill House during the final year of her life, and Gill’s mother-in-law was a resident for in our Westside home. We like to call this the ‘Mum Test’. We believe that the fact that our homes have remained family-run for the past sixty years has enabled us to develop and sustain a unique level of care for our residents and their families. We have often welcomed generations of the same family through our doors and are well-established within the local communities of Purley and Kenley, too.  rehabilitation, palliative, respite and convalescent car. 

We are always well staffed, but also happy to receive additional applications from a range of people who wish to be considered as Health Care Assistants, Senior Health Care Assistants and Team Leaders, depending on experience.

The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)

Established in 1916, the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) is an internationally recognised professional accountancy membership body. It is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) the global accounting standard-setter and regulator. 

The IFA is part of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) of Australia Group, the world’s largest SME-focused accountancy group, with 37,000 members and students in 80 countries. 

IFA members work within micro and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or in micro and small- to medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) advising micro and SME clients. Members are provided with all the necessary tools to operate successfully as Financial Accountants providing compliance and planning expertise to SMEs. It is the only professional accountancy body that provides dedicated support to SMEs and SMPs. 

Resource Solutions

Resource Solutions are an international leader in RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing), MSP (Managed Service Provider), and Statement of Work solutions. Their offering spans all areas of recruitment, candidate management and technology.

They offer clients an insight and control over their recruitment activities, while mitigating risk and improving hiring manager and candidate experience. 

You can view more information here - https://www.resourcesolutions.com/

Holiday Inn

With over 4,900 hotels and nearly 674,000 rooms in nearly 100 countries around the world, in 13 of the 20 largest hotel markets, they are a company that knows hospitality. Their vision is to become one of the great companies in the world by creating 'Great Hotels Guests Love.' They will deliver this through their portfolio of preferred brands, talented people and best-in-class delivery systems.

IHG is a global company with 9 hotel brands, meaning a world of opportunity for you. Their success flows from the thousands of people around the world who form part of the IHG team. It’s their ideas, inspiration and effort that make IHG who they are. It’s their individuality that IHG love. So if you want to work somewhere that can offer a rewarding career and room to be yourself, we want all of you at IHG.

Anglo Educational Services

Established in 1973, Anglo Educational Services boasts a wealth of experience in organising long-term and short-term accommodation, unpaid internship placements and customised educational, professional, alumni and sports tours focusing on London, the UK and Europe. AES offers a variety of services; from academic and logistical support for semester and short term programmes as well as accommodation and study centre venues.

Anglo Educational Services offers a comprehensive range of educational support services for Study Abroad, Professional, Alumni, and Sports programmes throughout the UK and Europe.

Chinite Home Care

Continue to lead a quality, independent and dignified life within your own home.

We believe getting older or having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your independence or dignity. Our home care, often called domiciliary care, enables older or less physically able people to continue to lead a quality, independent and dignified life within their own home or in the society.

Chinite Home Care is always looking for students who are flexible, hardworking, committed and passionate about working with vulnerable people.

We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with Anglian Ruskin University London to recruit students who are willing to join our growing team of healthcare workforce.

Excello Law

Founded in 2009, Excello Law is a fast-growing, national law firm providing a more dynamic, forward-thinking and independent environment in which to practise for experienced commercial, family and private client lawyers.

We have a team of 100+ partner-level lawyers supported by a central business services team of 25. We recruit for paralegal and trainee solicitor positions on an ad hoc basis as needed by the business.

The firm has six UK offices – London (Chancery Lane & Bishopsgate), Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Chester – and strategic alliances with new-model firms in the US and Australia.

We were one of the first law firms in the UK to pioneer true agile working with lawyers enjoying total freedom to manage their working day as they choose.  That includes working remotely or from one of our office hubs, choosing the clients they work with and taking responsibility for their fee structure. The model reduces overhead costs and uses leading-edge technology to give freedom to lawyers and provide better value legal services to clients.

www.excellolaw.co.uk

Harley Street Healthcare Clinic

We at Harley Street Healthcare Clinic offer our patients exceptional healthcare backed by our passion for working towards a healthier, happier community.

Harley Street Healthcare, founded by Dr. R Danapal over three decades ago, has emerged as one among the UK's leading healthcare clinics, combining state-of-the-art medical advancements and technology with a stellar team of medical professionals offering patients comprehensive and compassionate healthcare and support.

Our Vision is to make a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care, with a Mission to become the global leader in value-based integrated healthcare.

We work to provide compassionate and highest quality healthcare. We aim to achieve your healthcare goal by reinventing the future of the healthcare sector at your fingertips.

OneCare

OneCare is a specialist service provider of homecare. We take pride in our position as a specialist care provider to actively preserve and promote the primary values of independence, dignity, respect, privacy, choice and control, and we value the relationships necessary to maintain them.

OneCare has a quality objective which focuses on providing care designed to promote physical and psychological well being. OneCare is registered with the CQC and is recognised by local authorities. We can deliver care to individuals in Harrow and London that have Learning Disabilities, Sensory Impairment, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Physical and Mental Disabilities.

The services we can provide are personal care, respite care, live-in care, palliative care, community engagement, holiday care, and of course companionship. Our healthcare professionals have a dynamic approach and flexible attitude, and can cater for any need that is required by the individual and are available in Harrow and London.

SkillStruct

SkillStruct is about helping People and Organisations build up their skills and setup structure using the SkillStruct Methodology to find solutions to their problems. SkillStruct provides services in Career coaching, Mentorship programs, BAME Tech recruitment, Final year project advice and a CV verification and much more. A big part of the site is writing blogs some of which include Knowledge Management, Structure, and our experiences in Uni to help young people and people starting a new career in general.

Here is our video about our story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxVG-iXQKMc

https://skillstruct.com/

Social Chain

Founded in 2014, Social Chain now employs over 750 people across five offices worldwide. Alongside a vast portfolio of media brands, Social Chain offers award-winning data, media, and agency services to clients such as Logitech, Pretty Little Thing, William Hill, Amazon and many more.

UK Visas & Immigration

As part of the Home Office, we determine who has the right to visit or stay in the UK, with a core focus on national security.

We manage 3 million visa applications a year from people who want to visit, study or work in the UK. We’re responsible for deciding who receives British citizenship, and we also consider applications from organisations that want to join the register of sponsors. Another of our key roles is to run the UK’s asylum service, offering protection to vulnerable people and their host communities.

We have an incredibly broad remit at the Home Office, with our work affecting every citizen of the country. It’s essential that our organisation reflects the very best of 21st century Britain and we encourage applications from all backgrounds and circumstances. We recruit on merit after a fair and open selection process and support different ways of working, such as flexible working.

We’re proud to be a ‘Disability Confident Employer’ and we were the first organisation to be ‘Clear Assured’, which recognised our efforts to recruit and retain employees with disabilities. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for people with disabilities who meet our minimum selection criteria.

To date we have been recognised by the Times Top 50 Employers for Women, named a Stonewall Star Performer, and listed by Business In The Community as an inclusive employer for race.

Employees have the opportunity to join our vibrant diversity staff support networks, including Gen (gender), The Network (black Asian and minority ethnic), Spectrum (LGBT+) and Able (disabilities). Our networks help raise awareness and help us build an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and be themselves at work.

Uniform Education

Uniform Education is a leading education recruitment specialist agency that recruit teachers and support assistants across London and the home counties. With over 50 years’ experience, we are dedicated to recruiting teachers and support assistants for a range of schools. We source quality teaching talent from the UK and overseas, into Primary, Secondary, SEND, Faith and Academy schools. 

Uniform Education provides teachers and support assistants with ongoing assistance during the recruitment process to ensure that they find the right role. Our approach is different; we consider each candidates’ first placement to be just the beginning and we continue to support everyone throughout their career journey.

Uniform Education recruit for a range of roles that include:

• Teaching Assistants
• Learning Support Assistants
• Support Assistants
• Cover Supervisors
• Higher Level Teaching Assistants
• Intervention Specialists
• Graduate Teaching Assistants

Alban House Print

Alban House is a dynamic print management company based in Clerkenwell, London. It provides services to publishers, marketing agencies and media companies. We can source virtually any print related product and have a nationwide netwrok of trusted suppliers that we use to facilitate this.

Aqua

In 2000, former lawyer David Yeo launched aqua restaurant with a vision to bring some of the chic restaurant buzz of New York, Tokyo and London to Hong Kong. It proved such a success that today Aqua Restaurant Group has grown into a formidable culinary empire of over 20 ground-breaking outlets incorporating some of the most innovative destination restaurants in Hong Kong, Beijing and London.

Throughout the years, Aqua Restaurant Group’s philosophy has remained unchanged; to prepare exquisite food using the freshest, highest-quality produce in a way where the true flavours shine. In London, it boasts two luxury restaurants in the Shard and three on Regent Street.

Aqua restaurant group look for right person with the right attitude, they like for candidates with relevant experience but above all they want people who are enthusiastic, hardworking and with a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and their brand. 

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters provides professionals with the intelligence, technology and human expertise they need to find trusted answers.

They enable professionals in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, and media markets to make the decisions that matter most, all powered by the world's most trusted news organization.

With over 100 years of experience employing over 50,000 people across more than 100 countries Thomson Reuters is The Answer Company. They know data on its own is not enough and without insightful people and intuitive technology, data has no source and no direction. Their boundary breaking solutions provide a unique view of challenges modern professionals face.

thistle

Thistle has 31 hotels across the country, many in superb city centre locations, including ten in central London. With a selection of restaurants and a choice of excellent health and leisure facilities, there is something for everyone. Thistle is investing over £100 million in the next two years and they have 2 hotels in the exotic peninsula of Malaysia.

Thistle Hotels are all about informal, upmarket hotels, with warm, straightforward service, in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Their aim is to create an atmosphere where guests can work or rest at their own pace, where we can ensure we deliver exactly what our guests’ need.

Thistle looks for the right employee who puts the guests' experience first; achieving results through innovation and entrepreneurial flair, working together as one team and inspiring others with a passion for excellence. One of our students currently working has demonstrated the type of candidate that Thistle seek and has received excellent feedback due to their hard work ethic. We are pleased to hear that the student is progressing rapidly within Thistle Barbican.

MTM Agency

We are The MTM Agency, a global integrated marketing agency with digital at its heart. From our HQ on the waterside in Ocean Village in Southampton, our planners look for opportunities to devise compelling campaigns, our designers create experiences for our content teams to excel. With innovation we design high-impact digital experiences for our development experts to craft into future proof solutions.

Together we enjoy the reputation of being recognised as number one on the South Coast and top five in the country by industry benchmark Drum recommended.

Ambition & Philosophy

Our ambition is to be the leading strategic partner for progressive brands, delivering innovative ideas that create value for all people and transform businesses.

Our philosophy has always been to put client satisfaction, creativity and technical excellence first, an approach that seems to work, our client retention is exceptional. Market leading brands trust us to create and implement campaigns and engaging experiences that resonate with their audience.

Our Culture

1. Be Considerate - Treat others with respect and kindness
2. Be you - Be yourself and make it your own and be welcoming to all others
3. Make everyday count - Collaborate together, create beautiful things and we will truly make a difference
4. Find a way - Embrace opportunity, push boundaries, and solve big problems with simple outcomes
5. Be remarkable - Look for challenges, think big and exceed expectations

How we look after you

Perform at your best:

• Apple MacBook or PC depending on your role/preference
• Training budget/opportunities to allow you to develop
• Attendance to relevant seminars and industry gatherings
• The flexibility to collaborate in the office, combined with home working
• Fun and supporting environment in our waterside offices at Ocean Village
• Regular 1-to-1 support, including weekly meetings and annual reviews
• No boundaries collaboration across agency services
• Regular, free lunches and dinners to bring us together and celebrate successes
• Company get togethers at least twice a year, all expenses paid

Benefits to support your lifestyle:

• Exceptional remuneration, above average industry rates
• 21 – 35 days holiday depending on length of employment
• Plus bank holidays
• Plus bonus holiday over the Christmas break when we shut the office to allow you some proper festive down time
• Plus your birthday as an additional free holiday day
• Contributory pension scheme - 3%
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee travel season ticket loans
• Free eye tests

Become one of us and you will discover an opportunity where you can collaborate and become the best you can be: https://themtmagency.com/reasons-to-work-at-the-mtm-agency

The Cinnamon Club

Chef Vivek Singh is one of the most successful and respected modern Indian chefs in the country, with three renowned London restaurants to his name – the authentic dining experience of The Cinnamon Club, the City’s Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Soho.

His refined approach to Indian cuisine changed the perception of Indian food in the UK and his success and reputation has continued to grow with the publication of five cookbooks, media appearances and a regular guest slot on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen.

Over the years Chef Vivek and his team have recruited many students within the hospitality and culinary departments of his company to enhance their skills and develop them professionally and is always seeking students who are passionate and hardworking to grow within his company.

St Matthews Healthcare

Our ethos is that we provide professional and compassionate care that promotes independence and supports residents to pursue their own interests. St Matthews Healthcare provides a variety of specialist intensive mental health therapies for patients facing a variety of complex mental health disorders and behavioural challenges, as well as neuro-behavioural rehabilitation for those affected by brain injury. We also offer a range of residential care services for the elderly living with mental health problems, including dementia, combined with declining physical health. We treat all of our patients with dignity and respect and, where possible, we work collaboratively with them to agree a bespoke programme of care and independent living skills. The care provided treats the whole person by combining psychological interventions with leisure and social activities to enhance overall health and wellbeing.

SpaYse International

SpaYse International support the hospitality industry through recruitment, retention, engagement and development training since 2010. Their goal is to find extraordinary talent by matching the right people to the right opportunities, every time. 

They seek to understand the candidate’s career goals, needs and motivations as well getting to know their personality and work preferences to match the best role available. They choose to work with companies who are heavily focused on putting their staff at the core of their business.

They work with a whole list of leading hotels including luxury 5* Hotels and restaurants in London to provide dynamic and talented staff; to both front-of-house and other roles such as Sales, Marketing and Events on a permanent and temporary basis.

SpaYse International also work with their clients to provide cover for holidays, sickness and additional help for events which can be one-off shifts or fixed term contracts, often leading to permanent positions.

To find out more please email the employability team at ARUL or visit their website at https://spayse.com/

Shorefront Films

A straight-talking video production agency based in London. Shorefront Films create video of the highest quality and deliver it to you in a timely fashion, minus the usual headache. It’s video production, just…simplified.

Their team of directors, producers, camera operators and editors have a vast wealth of experience and are masters in the art of converting concepts into reality. Whether it’s public-facing or internal comms, they’ve been enabling businesses to utilise the full power of video to get their message heard for many years and theirexpertise and customer service are unparalleled. 

Royal Automobile Club

The Royal Automobile Club is one of the world’s foremost private members’ clubs, offering first-class facilities across two distinctly different clubhouses, built on the foundation of being the United Kingdom’s oldest motoring organisation.

The Ritz

When The Ritz first opened its doors in 1906, it was considered one of the greatest hotels in the world.

Conceived by the famous hotelier César Ritz with the aim of becoming the ultimate destination for guests looking to stay at the most luxurious hotel in the land, no expense was spared on its opulent interiors and lavish furnishings.

Now, 113 years after first opening its doors, The Ritz continues to offer its guests the same exceptionally high standards and exquisitely luxurious experience that was the keystone in the creation of a world-class hotel.

Radisson Blu

Radisson is one of the world's leading global hotel brands. It delivers vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality that is characterized by its unique “Yes I Can!” service philosophy. First-class, full-service hotels with a range of World of Radisson features that have been created specifically to be empathetic to the challenges of modern travel, including its 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee.

Radisson has a strong worldwide portfolio and continues to grow with a focus on adding key hotels in major cities, airport gateways, leisure destinations and other important locations. Radisson currently has over 430 hotels operating throughout the world with 103 contracted properties under development.

Park Plaza

Daniel Pederschi started his career in hospitality over 20 years ago as a Management Trainee in West London. After enhancing his skills in a variety of luxury world ranking UK hotels such as Grosvenor House, Le Meridien Piccadilly, Café Royal and Somerset House, he was appointed  Hotel Manager in November 2009 for Park Plaza’s launch.  He was shortly promoted to General Manager in 2011.

Park Plaza is an upscale and contemporary hotel which can cater for up to 2,500 guests and holds one of the largest event spaces in London. They have over 1,019 design led guestrooms, 54 suites and penthouses, ballrooms, and can accommodate groups of up to 2,000 people. The clientele consists predominantly of corporate, international conference delegates and upscale individual visitors.

The General Manager places a lot of onus on employee retention. Park Plaza recently celebrated their 5^th Birthday since the launch and out of a total of 400 employees,  107 employees who started remain to this day employed which shows the commitment and dedication which Daniel expects from all his staff. Employees at Park Plaza are all highly trained to meet the exceptional standards expected, which requires excellence throughout all functions. Regular team training to enhance guest service delivery is provided. Through this approach, designed by the Learning and Development Team, has created a unique’ Inspirational Service Programme’ which looks at ways to surprise and delight whilst making the guests feel welcome.

Daniel focuses a lot on student employment as he believes that in doing so he receives twice as much back and this ensures the sustainability for the future. The General Manager views his employees as having a meritocratic nature also talks positively about students who he sees as being focused and committed and encourages them to take every learning opportunity, invest in on the job training and never stop trying.

Onvestor Advisory Limited

Onvestor helps clients build a well thought through financial plan to realise their short, medium and long-term objectives – making provision for the retirement they want and everything else they want to do along the way.  Our team of fully qualified financial advisers are available to help everyone.  Using video conference technology, it enables us to serve customers nationwide at low cost.

Key Contact - Kathy Codling, Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Kathy has been instrumental in shaping all operational aspects of Onvestor since inception, bringing strategic vision to life. From building the team and its partner base to establishing optimum business processes, while meeting regulatory requirements, Kathy’s overarching view ensures best practice across the business.  Delivering exceptional customer service is a standard that Kathy expects of herself and the wider team, upholding the resolute determination of Onvestor to redefine the financial services industry.

Before joining Onvestor, Kathy dedicated nineteen years to the Charities sector, undertaking management positions at Board level with Trustees, the Charities Commission and various national governing bodies for health and education.  With a keen interest in business technology driven by her studies of Computing Real Time Systems at the University of Brighton, Kathy finds working for a Fintech Startup, alongside a Board of true innovators, immensely satisfying.

Novotel

Accor Hotels are much more than a world leader. They are 180,000 hoteliers, 17 brands with the same shared passion for welcoming. They take care of millions of guests in their 3,800 addresses and on their digital platforms. As an operator and franchiser (HotelServices), owner and investor (HotelInvest), they invest all their energy into making “Feel Welcome” resonate as the finest hotel promise. From luxury to economy and in every corner of the globe they meet all the needs of business and leisure travellers seeking comfort, attention and high-quality services.

If you are someone unique, imaginative and seeking to work in a diverse and well established hotel then Novotel has something to offer. They are a caring employer who provides respect, training and career development for all employees.

Nightingale Hammerson

Nightingale Hammerson is a leading specialist in residential care that has been serving the Jewish community for over 180 years. We offer world-class holistic care in a safe, stimulating environment at Nightingale House in Clapham and Hammerson House (currently closed for major redevelopment) in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Our individually tailored service offers a ‘home from home’ – with kind, compassionate residential, nursing, dementia, respite and end-of-life care.

Nightingale Hammerson offers a Relationship Centered Care approach to all our Residents. We tailor our care to individual needs, taking into account their meaningful relationships that contribute to a holistic wellbeing.

Our households are designed to provide outstanding residential and nursing care for people with high dependency needs, including dementia, palliative and end-of-life care but also for independent residents.

The intergenerational activities with the children from our in-house nursery, the Care Home Education Centre, student placements and our research network make Nightingale Hammerson a unique place where care is based on the most up to date standards.

www.nightingalehammerson.org

Marriott Hotels

Marriott International, Inc., is a global leading lodging company with more than 4,200 properties in 79 countries and territories. Marriott Hotel Waltham Abbey is a full service hotel based on the M25, primarily dealing with business and events.

Marriott pride themselves on putting people first, pursuing excellence, embracing change, acting with integrity and serving the world. They believe in recruiting and investing in students, and enjoy seeing them grow within the company.  

LifeCome Care

LifeCome Care pride themselves on providing not just care but a lifestyle support package.

LifeCome Care provides domestic care for the elderly, dementia and Alzheimer’s sufferers as well as other care needs. This partnership is one of many and is an opportunity for us to recruit new students into the healthcare industry. We're excited for Lifecome Care to become actively involved with ARU London for years to come.

Leader Engineering

Since 2005, Leader Engineering has provided recruitment services to Oil and Gas companies operating in all major producing regions worldwide.

Over the years, we've become recognised as one of the market leaders in the supply of professional contract personnel and specialist consultants. We have an unparalleled candidate network and long-standing client relationships internationally.

Originally formed by an enginerring family in Scotland, we apply more than 25 years first-hand experience to maintain our position at the forefront of our sector.

Our background mean we're uniquely placed to speak to clients and candidates on a technical level. That's why we have agreements with some of the world's largest companies. and have recorded a 230% growth in turnover since 2011.

Today we have active companies in Hong Kong, Cyprus and Dubai.

Le Pont de la Tour

As one of the most recognisable names on the London restaurant scene, the recently refurbished Le Pont de la Tour offers exceptional French cooking. Situated in the shadow of Tower Bridge, this elegant restaurant and laid back bar and grill provides for one of London's most exciting and scenic places to work.

King and King

King & King is a professional firm of Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers based in Central London. They have been established for over 55 years and their clientele enjoy the benefits of vast experience and personal service that few can equal. They serve clients, local, nationwide and international which proves their expertise that enables them to cover all aspects of accountancy, taxation and business services.

King and King enjoy working with students who are flexible, very confident and who have a passion for pursuing a career in accountancy and who are hungry to develop within the company.

John Walsh Associates

John Walsh Associates Accountants and Tax Advisers was established in May 2008. The practice was set up when John Walsh left Dover Childs Tyler after it merged and established a new practice in the West End of London.

JWA has over 25 years experience in dealing with the needs of businesses and individuals. They have a strong background in providing specialist taxation advice across a range of taxes (including VAT) with an emphasis on service and delivery to clients. Their experience has been gained in a combination of working in the Accountancy profession and as a Tax Inspector for HM Revenue & Customs.

Irwin and Mitchell

Irwin and Mitchell was founded in 1912 by Walter Irwin Mitchell. He aimed to provide the highest quality legal services in Sheffield but now the firm has expanded and they have offices within Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, London and many more. They currently employ over 2,500 members of staff, including over 1,000 legally trained personnel and have helped over one million clients in their 100 year history. They have won numerous awards including ‘Best Contribution by a Firm with an English Head Office’ in 2018 awarded by Pro Bono Awards as well as one of the ‘Best Law Firms 2019’ as recognised by ‘The Times’. Irwin and Mitchell have visited ARUL numerous times to share presentations regarding the Law industry as well as their company and what opportunities are there for students.

Hotel Café Royal

Café Royal are a 5 star deluxe hotel, with over 160 rooms available, private clubs, restaurants, cafes and bars. Since their arrival in 1865 in the iconic landmark of Regent Street they have established themselves as entertainers for the royalty and rockstars with guests such as Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali and Mick Jagger.

They are constantly seeking excellence and look for students who are hardworking, conscientious, a great and positive contribution to the team and who are eager to learn and prove their ability.

Hilton

Hilton Hotels and Resorts has more than 540 properties in 78 countries across six continents. As the most recognized name in the industry, Hilton remains synonymous with the word "hotel." From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history.  

Hilton seeks students who can deliver exceptional guest experiences, who act with integrity and show leadership skills. In the UK Business Traveller Awards, Hilton was awarded for “Best Business Hotel Chain in the UK” and “Best Business Hotel Chain in Europe.” To work for Hilton you will need to show that you have the determination to work hard and succeed as they operate with a sense of urgency and discipline.  

Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust are one of the UK’s leading hospitals that provide high quality, personal care. They are part of the King’s Health Partners, one of only six academic health science centres in the UK.  

Our BSc (Hons) Business and Healthcare Management student who is currently working at Guys and St Thomas' was awarded employee of the month in July 2015 due to her outstanding performance.

We received some feedback from the manager ‘I always view recruiting students as beneficial as students offer a lot of enthusiasm, they continuously seek to develop their skills which is always an advantage to the organisation’

German Gymnasium

Situated on the site of Britain's first purpose built gym, D&Ds newest fine fining restaurant offers a range of contemporary central European cuisine and a choice of dining areas, including a grand café, bar and vast outdoor terrace.

Folkestone Nursing Home

Folkestone Nursing Home is great believer in making life's passions fulfilling. Whether it's taking up a new hobby, sharing a good story with a friend, or keeping an old interest alive.

Folkestone Nursing Home places a lot of emphasis on team building, staff training and personal development. They have a family friendly atmosphere where staff work together and bond at the same time.  They believe in investing in the lives of people by making a difference and aim to develop the student’s skills for progression into the Healthcare Industry.

Excellent Care Ltd.

Excellent Care is one of the fastest growing nurses and domiciliary care agencies with offices throughout the UK. Based in Caterham, Surrey, Excellent Care have branches in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Bexhill and are due to open a new office in London. They have been operating for the last six years in which they have been frequently expanding their offices and workforce to reach and support many more communities. They are one of the CQC approved domiciliary care providers.  

Our student who is currently working there received the following comments ‘The student is a very capable and talented individual who has the potential to fulfil all the duties and responsibilities and grow as an Office Admin’. Excellent Care is always seeking students who are hardworking and flexible. They also seek students who are willing to learn and act quickly, who bring in their ideas from education into practice and who can provide up-to-date knowledge to help the company progress.

Excel Care

Excel Care prides itself on being a family-run company. Everything they do stems from their desire to create individual care for each person that uses their service, in a happy, relaxed and high quality environment. They provide exceptional residential nursing and dementia care as well as a wide range of services for long or short stays.

Their Care Homes combine luxury, modern facilities, with elegant, comfortable environments and carefully selected teams of professionals who are passionate about caring for others. They have various departments such as activities, care, catering, human resources, hospitality and housekeeping with a mission to design, construct and manage the highest level of quality Care Homes throughout the UK.

Excel Care likes to work with students who are flexible, committed and who have a real passion for caring.

ENS

Two decades ago, we were a small family business that opened its doors dedicated to finding good people and finding the right jobs for them. We’re still family run, but our “family” has grown a little since then. We’ve grown into a leading health and social care recruiter and training provider for staff across the private and public sectors, including nursing and residential care providers as well as housing associations, the NHS and local authorities. We also offer support packages for people who need help living independently.

Today, we are a well-known and well-trusted name in the health and social care sector in Essex, Kent, Surrey and London. But whoever we’re working with, whether we’re providing temporary, interim or permanent staff, we’re always committed to providing excellent service.

ENS provides specialised training and is keen to work with students who are flexible, willing and are able to demonstrate a real desire to work in the care field.

Empowered Systems

Empowered Systems has over a decade’s experience of delivering highly scalable, secure and trusted Governance Risk and Compliance management and reporting solutions to global financial institutions. In collaboration with industry experts and leading edge clients, Empowered Systems has evolved a risk governance platform that provides a flexible and powerful solution to sophisticated GRC framework and requirements now required by Regulators and stakeholders alike. All provided through configuration (not customization), so the portal can be evolved in tandem with the maturing operating model and business requirements. The solution also provides easy onboarding of external data sources, allowing maximum leverage of value to be gained from legacy and 3^rd party systems and data sources.

Clayton Hotel

Clayton Hotel City of London, located in Aldgate East, is part of the Dalata Hotel Group. Clayton COL Team creates a welcoming and natural environment where every individual is recognized and supported to achieve their professional goals. The hotel is very near well-known locations frequently visited by tourists and locals alike such as Sky Gardens, Borough Market and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Dalata was founded in June 2007 by Pat McCann, who acquired a group of companies from Choice Hotels Ireland and in 2008 rebranded its leased hotels under its own Maldron Hotels brand. Since then, Dalata has built a centralised management team with expertise across all areas of the hotel business. Dalata now operates the Maldron Hotel brand and Clayton Hotel brand throughout Ireland & the UK, as well as managing a portfolio of Partner Hotels.

Click on the following link for further details:

www.claytonhotelcityoflondon.com

www.dalatahotelgroup.com

Barchester Healthcare

Magnolia Court is a purpose-built home in Golders Green, close to local amenities. They provide first-class 24-hour nursing care and also offer respite care. There are attractive single en suite rooms and number of lounge areas where residents can entertain their families and guests. Their aim is to provide an environment as near to a 'home-from-home' environment as possible.

Magnolia Court is always looking for students who are flexible, hardworking, who are committed and enjoy working with the elderly.

Barar & Associates

Barar & Associates are consultants who have a detailed knowledge of immigration and nationality law. They are registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and are a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association.

They aim to source students who are hardworking, intuitive, willing to learn and who are committed to developing within the company.

ELS Legal LLP

Located in the historic Ely Place near Holborn ELS Legal is a traditional legal firm based in the City of London.

They believe in the values of client service, transparency, honest advice and long lasting close relationships, whilst also taking a modern and flexible apporach. ELS Legal has extensive knowledge in international or 'transnational' litigation with disputes among business or individuals residing in different countries.

ELS Legal LLP enjoys working with students who are hardworking, adaptable, passionate, flexible and above all fully committed to their role.

Arco Academy

Arco Academy is a sports-specialist alternative provision school offering an alternative education to students referred by their schools and Local Authorities. They offer additional vocational courses and personal development opportunities to help students better understand the world of work and improve their chances of employment. They have had many success with students who initially was referred by their own school to Arco Academy and progressed to bettering themselves in gaining an education and reaching their full potential.

Sarah Vaughan

Janet Martin

Before becoming an author and founding Success All, a company that offers products and services to bring out your empowered self, Janet Martin lived a dynamic and exciting life working in the music industry.

From putting on shows at Radio City Music Hall in NYC to attending the Cannes Film Festival and GRAMMY awards, she eventually took a pause to focus on her growing family. 

Over the past decade, Janet has written extensively for parenting blogs and started two companies, including web design and graphic design contracts for charitable organizations.

Janet’s personal mission is to empower as many people as she can to become the best version of themselves. She’s particularly passionate about the areas of empowerment, mindset, emotions, motivation, business, finances, relationships, and spirituality.

Janet enjoys supporting people with difficult pasts, the marginalized and under-represented.

David Risebrow

Freddie Lock

I am currently working in the hospitality industry for The Ivy Collection. My position is in the People Team as a Learning & Development Business Partner. Our People Team compromises of HR, Training and Recruitment. My role includes making sure all new starters are properly inducted and given the relevant training to start their journey with us. We also work closely with the restaurants to ensure the teams are given all the support throughout their careers with us and are developed into the leaders of tomorrow. 

I have always had a passion for people, having worked in hospitality for 15 years, starting as a glass collector in my local pub at 16 years of age. My interest for training really developed once I had moved into my first GM role, which was a new opening, having to train all the FOH team on the service standards. The pride and joy to see the whole team working together happily and seeing the guests leaving happy was the most rewarding feeling ever. 

I love to pass my knowledge and experiences on to the younger generations and really to let them know that working with people is the most rewarding experience ever. You learn skills that can be used in any walks of life, not only in your professional career but in your personal life as well and being able to then pass these on to others, there is really no feeling like it. 

Syed Ali Shah

Pradip Karanjit

Andrew Watson

My name is Andrew Watson and I am the Training Principal for the Appeals, Litigation and Administrative Review for the Home Office.  I have been a solicitor for the last twenty years working in the public sector and teaching undergraduate and post graduate students. 

Antony Fletcher

Antony manages AICPA & CIMA's relationships with educational establishments in London and the South East of England, working with and promoting opportunities with AICPA & CIMA's employer partners, and raising awareness of the benefits of becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).   He is a BSc (Hons) Economics and History graduate and also holds an MSc in Economic History.

Jamie-Leigh Tinsley

My name is Jamie-Leigh Tinsley, I have been working at Protocol Education since October 2021 and have worked in education recruitment for the past 5 years. I started off supporting Primary Schools across Lancashire & Cumbria and when I relocated to London, I began working with Secondary Schools across London.  I have a passion for recruitment and there’s no better feeling than being the gateway to supporting candidates into their dream role!

What roles we recruit for: Cover Supervisors, Academic Mentors, Qualified Teachers, Behaviour Mentors, Tutors, Unqualified Teacher, Teaching Assistants and many others.

Claire Maynard

I work as the Outreach Lead for Central East (Tower Hamlets and Hackney). My priorities for the Outreach team are:

• to build connections and confidence in low trust communities through partnership working and via our Community Outreach Fund beneficiaries
• to inform people about the variety of opportunities and career progression within policing, detailing the pathways at public events, virtual and in person sessions.
• to inspire local people to bring their lived experience and skills to meet the needs of the rich diversity we celebrate in London, creating a more inclusive and representative Met.
• to support individuals, irrespective of socio-economic factors, through positive action, so candidates feel confident, competent and ready to apply to join the Met. 

We support events and activities that positively engage with further education providers, faith communities, local groups, charities and statutory partners.

I have previously worked in the charity sector, driving diversity, inclusion for younger people, creating intergenerational opportunities and challenging organisations to be truly reflective of the communities they aim to serve, engage and educate.  Key motivators in my role are about unlocking potential in people, organisations and communities, building confidence and sharing career opportunities so that they are accessible and engaging.

Joe Davis

I am a criminal defence solicitor currently practicing law in South Wales at Driscoll Young Solicitors. 

I began my legal career practicing Personal Injury law, but quickly found this was not for me.  Like many young lawyers, once you find yourself in a particular field of law it can be extremely difficult to branch out into another.  Fortunately, through much persistence, I found a job in London in Criminal Law.  I started from the bottom and worked my way up – to the point where I am now a duty accredited solicitor with 7 years of experience in the field; dealing with anything from theft to murder.  I have now found an area of practice I truly enjoy; and can genuinely say that I love my job.

I have now moved to South Wales to start a family and took up a position at Driscoll Young in September of 2022.  Before beginning my career in law I taught English as Foreign Language across Europe and South East Asia; returning to complete my LPC at Cardiff University and move into the legal profession.  I have also completed a Masters Degree in Legal Practice with particular focus on Sports Law. 

My route to qualification and criminal law has been an indirect one.  I started off seeking a soccer scholarship in the US before settling on an art degree in the UK.  After one year of studying art I quickly realised this was more of a passion project than a career choice, and opted to switch to law.  We are many years down the line now, but what I would say is that there is no need to settle for the path which is easiest, or which you have fallen into.  There is always another direction to explore.

Outside of work, I am very passionate about writing, and have recently agreed a publishing contract for my first book which I hope will be published this Autumn.

Pippa Stanier-Moore

I started my career in retail and through various training programmes worked my way into management and running my own stores for several major brands. Having worked in retail for over 12 years I decided I wanted to follow a passion of mine and so studied for my degree in HR Management whilst still working full time. This led me to look for roles in the HR sector and I took a temporary position in recruitment for a NDPB (non-departmental public body). Whilst I was there, I came across a role at the House of Commons for a Recruitment Manager. I have since held two other roles at Parliament and have worked here for 7 years. I am currently the Apprenticeships and Early Careers Manager and love every moment!

Florian Valmy-Devillers

Florian Valmy-Devillers is the Director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chapter UK & Europe, a membership organisation strong of 65+public and private sector members. His current role allows him to market the Caribbean region across the UK and Europe. The CTO Chapter delivers over 40 activities annually, targeting media, travel trade, tourism stakeholders and consumers in the UK & key European source markets for the Caribbean region. Florian has organised high-level projects at the ministerial level such as missions to the European Commission in Brussels and networking forums with diplomatic missions including both government and non-government organisations for tourism ministers, executives, and media. Undoubtedly an expert in Tourism Development, Florian speaks three languages fluently and travelled the globe extensively working on international tourism projects in five continents. Florian holds a master’s degree in International Affairs majoring in Tourism, and his ultimate career goal is to contribute to the blueprint which will lead to a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable future for all through tourism.

Benjamin Vis

Benjamin Vis is a Local Business Manager for Metro Bank. Benjamin has been working in banking for 7 years and has found the key to his success has come from developing strong meaningful relationships both internally within his organisation, as well as building a strong community network which benefits both to his business development activities but also to his goals to supporting the wider community. Community is at the heart of everything Benjamin dose, he looks to build businesses individually by providing financial products, strategic business advises and by connecting local businesses together to develop a work together, grow together mentality. Additionally, Benjamin spends a lot of his free time supporting local charities, raising funds through fundraising challenges and connecting charities with strong strategic partners.

Darragh O’Shaughnessy

JUDGE TAN IKRAM CBE DL

Deputy Senior District Judge (Deputy Chief Magistrate) of England and Wales.

Tan was born and schooled in Slough, Berkshire. He graduated in law from Wolverhampton Polytechnic, is bencher at Inner Temple and also admitted as a solicitor.

Tan was appointed to the Bench in 2003 and to full time office in 2009. He was appointed the Deputy Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) in 2017 and is now ‘ticketed’ to hear extradition and terrorism cases and was previously, an Associate Judge of HM Court of Episkopi & Dhekelia in Cyprus. He also sits as a judge of the Crown Court on the Midlands Circuit.

He is also the Deputy Lead Diversity and Community Relations Judge, one of the editors of the Equal Treatment Bench Book and a member of the judiciary’s Diversity Committee.

He is a contributing editor of Archbold Magistrates’ Court Criminal Practice 2023 and Archbold Criminal Pleading, Evidence & Practice 2023. He was made CBE in the 2022 New Years’ honours list and Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire. He is a Visiting Professor and honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) of the University of West London.

Wuraola Ekajeh

Wuraola Ekajeh is a Consultant Digital Business Analyst and has worked with different reputable organisations within the UK. She is a proud graduate of Anglia Ruskin University with 1st class degree in International Business Management (BSc Hon) and bagged a Merit in International Project Management (MSc).

She was inspired to start a career in project management, later pursued a career in information technology due to her inquisitive nature. Wuraola is a member of Association of Business Executives, Project Management Institutes, owns Certificate in Scrum (PSO1) and Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis. She mentors and coaches within her organisation and community, in wellbeing, businesses and career opportunities. Wuraola received an “Outstanding Leadership Impact Award” in December 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, keeping up to date with BA trend and volunteering her coaching skills within her community as a way of giving back.

Laurent Schauder

The General Manager behind the successful opening of Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars with over 20 years of experience, and having worked for multiple Hyatt Hotels, Laurent Schauder aims to use his global knowledge to deliver unrivalled hospitality to the newly opened Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars.

After originally starting his career with Hyatt in Birmingham as an F&B trainee, Laurent has now been with Hyatt for over 20 years. His career has taken him all around the world, but he has now returned to the UK where it all started for him. He previously served as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill between 2015-2019. Laurent has worked for various Hyatt hotels in multiple countries such as the United States, France, Spain, Switzerland, Chile and Bulgaria and is incredibly passionate about the industry.

As one of the pre-opening team members at Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, Laurent was responsible for the refurbishment project, which included uplifting and rebranding the property into a five-star sophisticated hotel in central London. He also acts as the primary strategic leader of the hotel to oversee all aspects of hotel operations, including guest and associate satisfaction, human resources, financial performance and sales and revenue generation. He intends to establish the new Blackfriars location as a new must-visit London hotel thanks to his extensive understanding of hotels around the world and the local approach that all Hyatt Regency Hotels are recognised for. Laurent comments: “My aim is to position Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars as a premium and sophisticated hotel destination in the heart of the City. A vibrant and dynamic hub, where quality is never compromised to our customers, clients, partners and employees.”

About Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars Launched in May 2023.

Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars is the ninth Hyatt opening in the city, signalling Hyatt’s expanding brand footprint in the United Kingdom. Marking a key milestone in Hyatt’s strategic brand growth in the U.K. capital, the 205-room hotel is the 14th property in the country to participate in the World of Hyatt loyalty program, demonstrating Hyatt’s vision for the United Kingdom as a priority growth market within its diverse and evolving brand portfolio. In the last five years, Hyatt has increased its presence in the UK from 5 to 13 properties, with 6 of those based in London. Housed in a historical building on the former grounds of King Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace, Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars claims a prime spot in the City of London business and leisure district, home to global corporations, influential businesses, and law firms.

Guests are able to stay connected to all that the capital has to offer, with Blackfriars Underground and Rail stations, minutes away. Many of London’s most popular attractions, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe are within walking distance from the hotel’s doors. In line with the Hyatt Regency brand ethos, the hotel has been intuitively designed for productivity and peace of mind, with an environment for guests to work, engage or relax. Sophisticated guestrooms and suites boast contemporary finishes, high-end amenities, and dedicated workspaces. Three dynamic and diverse food and beverage concepts are poised to become new local culinary destinations, whilst a trio of optimised meeting spaces are on offer to host a wide range of dedicated meeting & events space in the hotel’s desirable central London location.Guests also benefit from access to a 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness centre.

For further PR enquiries, please contact olivia@poshcockney.co.uk

Claire Stevens

Claire Stevens – Principal Consultant Merrifield Consultants London

Having started her career in retail, Claire then moved into hospitality where she managed a bar in the City of London for many years.  She then moved into Office Management/PA roles before starting her career in recruitment.  Claire has worked for the Huntress Group for the last 20 years starting as a Consultant placing temporary candidates into positions and working her way to Director level.  Following covid Claire decided it was time to move away from management and is back in a Consulting position, recruiting into the NFP and Membership sector. 

Claire is a Principal Consultant at Merrifield Consultants with 25 years’ recruitment experience. She focuses on supporting her clients with Membership, Events, Project, Programmes, HR, and Business Support positions within the Membership and NFP sector. She prides herself on building strong, working relationships with her clients to fully understand their organisation’s culture, enabling her to find them the best candidates. Incredibly down to earth, open, and honest, Claire’s candidates and clients know they can trust her, and she has both their best interests in mind.

Donatella Cerruti

Talent and Development Coordinator

I have started my career in hospitality 24 years ago. I have worked in all the hotel departments in several countries such as Egypt, Greece, the United States, and Germany. I also had my own little hotel in Italy for 10 years.

I have a deep passion for hospitality and customer care. 5 years ago, I came to England and attended Edge Hotel School (University of Essex) and obtained a BA degree in Hospitality management. Since then, I worked in London as a Recruiter first (Leonardo's Hotel) and for a recruitment agency then. I have completed an L5 Diploma in L&D and currently I am employed at Broadwick Soho, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel that will open in a month time.

broadwicksoho.com

Sergeant Pascal Zgambo

Sergeant Pascal Zgambo joined the Royal Air Force in October 2007 and passed out of Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton in January 2008. On successful completion of trade training at the Catering Training Squadron at RAF Halton, he qualified as a Logistic Air and Ground Steward and was subsequently posted to RAF Benson. During his service at RAF Benson, he completed a short VIP tour of Buckingham Palace as a personal steward to the Royal Household’s Chief of Staff. In April 2010 he attended the Advanced Caterer Course at RAF Halton. In July 2010 he was posted to 3 Mobile Catering Squadron based at RAF Wittering. During this time, he undertook a tour of BFSAI Falklands as the Junior Catering Accountant within the Tri-service Catering and Rations Squadron for a period of five months. In June 2012, he deployed to London in support of Op Olympic for a period of four months. In October 2015 he was promoted to Cpl and subsequently posted to the Defence School of Logistics at Worthy Down Barracks as a Caterer Instructor, teaching basic students and mentoring advanced students on their promotion course. During this tour, in October 2017 he was awarded the late Sqn Ldr Penny Lowe Caterer of the Year Trophy in recognition of his service and efforts to TG19’s training delivery. On completion of this tour in December 2017, he was posted within the Food Services Training Wing as the TG19 Apprenticeship Centre’s Internal Quality Assurer.

He was promoted to Sgt in December 2019 and posted to the Aviator Command School as a Defence Trainer on the Junior Management and Leadership Course completing a 3-year tour. In January 2023, he was posted to RAF Northolt as SNCO Careers Engagement responsible for London. He is a staunch supporter of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), devoting most of his spare time to RAFA as an Honorary Welfare Officer. In July 2018, he was awarded a long service medal by the late HRH the Queen at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his service and devotion to the Confederation of Service Charities. Passionate about championing Diversity and Inclusion across Defence, he has previously sat on the MOD’s Race Network as the only Non-Commissioned Officer reporting directly to the Chief of Defence Staff’s committee. A holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and MA Degree in Further Education from Plymouth University, he is currently a PhD student with Exeter University on a partial scholarship, studying military history. He currently resides in Acton, London.Sgt Pascal Zgambo MA, BA(Hons), PGDipEd, FInstLM, ACMI fCMgr, RPTAG

Pablo Orvananos

Sustainability Consulting Lead        

Consulting & Advisory - EMEA

Hitachi Digital ServicesAs the Head of Global Sustainability Consulting at Hitachi Vantara, he is dedicated to helping businesses accelerate their transition to renewable energy and embrace sustainability using data-driven approaches. With an extensive 19-year background in innovation, growth, and sustainability, he has a proven record of solving complex challenges across various industries and markets.

Before joining Hitachi Vantara, he held key roles in renowned consultancy firms, where he guided global companies like HSBC, Mitsubishi, Diageo, Equinor, and P&G in overcoming their environmental and social hurdles. He led the creation of sustainable business strategies, data-powered techniques, and collaborations involving multiple stakeholders. He also played a pivotal role in devising growth strategies through customer insights, strategic uniqueness, and innovative business models.

His true passion lies in merging innovation and technology to shape a brighter future in the ever-evolving digital landscape. He envisions a world where ingenuity and sustainability intersect to drive lasting positive change.

Sunil Bhatt

Mental Health Act Lead

St Matthews Healthcare

In a career journey dedicated to healthcare excellence, Sunil Bhatt serves as the Mental Health Act/Mental Capacity Act (MHA/MCA) Lead. His commitment to improving healthcare access and patient outcomes in the UK began with an MBA in Healthcare at Anglia Ruskin University London as an International student in 2014.

Sunil's passion for healthcare was ignited during early volunteering experiences with Conwy Borough Council, where he worked as an Approved Landlord Officer. In this role, he supported vulnerable adults with budgeting, maintaining tenancy, and essential life skills, leaving a lasting impression and garnering praise from council project managers and landlords. This experience prompted Sunil to pursue further education in healthcare at Anglia Ruskin University London.

His journey continued with a six-month work placement at St Matthews Healthcare in January 2015, where he worked as a Health Care Assistant and HR/MHA Administrator. St Matthews Healthcare offers a wide range of mental health care, rehabilitation, and integrated care services, including hospital wards for detained patients, care for chronic mental health conditions, specialist care for adults with enduring mental health problems, and much more.

Sunil's dedication and hard work earned him a promotion to HR/MHA Manager in 2016. In 2021, he was appointed as the MHA/MCA Lead for the entire organisation, responsible for overseeing three hospitals and seven care homes across England.

His notable contributions include implementing a streamlined patient incident analysis tool in 2015, launching MHA audit tools, and creating checklists and processes for the MHA department, resulting in a robust system for MHA compliance. Sunil also offers in-house workshops to enhance the understanding of mental health act legislation among nurses and doctors.

He organises MHA/MCA legislation training annually through external solicitors for staff, achieving 100% MHA KPIs for the organisation. Sunil has garnered compliments from CQC inspectors for robust MHA processes and legal section papers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he facilitated all service user meetings via Teams, offered out-of-hour MHA support, addressed section paper errors and validity, and supported agency staff with MHA processes.

Sunil remains up-to-date with MHA/MCA legislation, having completed online courses and attended training in healthcare to stay informed about industry changes. He collaborates closely with the executive committee and directors.

Currently serving as the MHA/MCA lead at St Matthews Healthcare, Sunil oversees three hospitals and seven care homes. His future goals include expanding healthcare services' reach to underserved communities, adapting to new MHA laws currently in discussion, and advocating for healthcare policy changes to enhance patient care and wellbeing. Additionally, he chairs Local Governance Meetings across the group, demonstrating his commitment to comprehensive healthcare governance.

Sunil Bhatt's story is a testament to a lifelong commitment to healthcare, marked by passion, dedication, and a profound impact on the healthcare landscape.

Harun Matin

Head of Crime KC Solicitors. 

I am the head of crime department and director at KC Solicitors. It is a high street law firm that caters to the community both in East London and Luton. We primarily focus on criminal defence and family law cases including cases with an international aspect. I am a criminal defence solicitor of over 12 years’ experience. In my practice I have focused on extradition and human rights cases, but do deal with all kinds of cases in criminal defence. 

In terms of my background, I am the first generation in my family to graduate to University, my parents came to the UK in the 70's.

I graduated from Queen Mary with a law degree, took some time away from Law by travelling the world and teaching English as a foreign language. I returned to the UK, completed my LPC and managed to obtain a training contract and thereby qualify as a solicitor.

Prior to working in legal practice, I worked as teacher, in retail, in court administration, football coaching so a varied work experience. 

I was up until last year a director of National Legal Service solicitors and was instrumental in that firm developing into a nationwide firm within 6 years. 

Asomi Ithia

Senior Product Management Professional.

Asomi Ithia is a senior product management professional, with experience working across all stages of the product life cycle for organisations such as Barclays, BT, Cognizant, 02, Sky & Thomson Reuters. Using 20+ years of knowledge and insights, he has authored 4 product management books (productmanagementseries.com), as well as mentoring product people, co-hosting a monthly product meet-up and writing and speaking on the topic.

Stephen Whitwell

Acting Assistant Director Specialist Appeals Team & Training Principal Appeals, Litigation and Administrative Review.

I am solicitor who is currently an Assistant Director in the Specialist Appeals Team and Training Principal within Appeals, Litigation and Administrative Review, a Directorate within the Home Office which manages appeal before the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration & Asylum Chamber together with our legal training programmes.

Koroma’s Kitchen / Bailah Koroma

What do you study: MBA Health & Social Care

When will you graduate: 2023 

Short story of your business  

Bailah is from Sierra Leone in West Africa where ginger is a staple ingredient in everyday food and drink. In 2020 during the pandemic, for health reasons, Bailah and his wife decided to increase their ginger intake by using it more in their cooking and they started making ginger-rich juices. 

Friends and family began to try their food and drink, and the feedback was very positive. This inspired Bailah to start producing the juices on a larger scale. Bailah sourced the packaging, designed the branding and started sourcing customers.  

First customers were friends, but more recently two shops near the East India Campus of the University have started to stock ‘Ginger Burst’. Whilst Bailah and his wife are studying they are happy to keep the operation small and take on feedback before they are ready to take on the main supermarkets. For now, Bailah will produce the juice, package it, stick on the label and continue with direct sales to the local shops – a slow and steady approach to getting his product’s name out there and creating a solid reputation. Bailah balances this with his studies, working with the homeless and running a busy household with his wife and two children. 

Bailah’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Bailah says that if you have a dream, you must pursue it. His dream is to be his own boss by the age of 40. He believes that if you want something enough you can work hard and achieve it. 

You must be resilient, there will be bad days but tomorrow is a new day with fresh opportunities. Grow your network and keep pushing yourself. Never give up! 

 Website: https://koromas-kitchen.sumup.link/ 

Hassan Gohar

Finance Manager FedEx UK and Ireland

Hassan Gohar is a distinguished Finance Manager with a passion for nurturing the next generation of professionals. An alumnus of Anglia Ruskin University, London, he maintains a strong connection to his alma mater. Hassan's journey from a graduate to an employer is a testament to his commitment to continuous learning and career development.

During his student years, Hassan availed himself of the services provided by the Employer Engagement Team at Anglia Ruskin University, which played a pivotal role in shaping his career trajectory. Now, as the Finance Manager for FedEx UK and Ireland, he brings a unique perspective to the hiring process, understanding the challenges faced by recent graduates. 

In addition to his role at FedEx, Hassan remains connected to Anglia Ruskin University, reflecting his dedication to giving back to the institution that played a crucial role in his own professional journey. His empathetic approach to hiring and emphasis on maintaining a positive mindset contribute to his reputation as a mentor and guide for aspiring professionals in the field of finance.

MyFooDen / Vlad Agafitei

What did you study: BSc (Hons) International Business Management 

When did you graduate: 2022 

Short story of your business: Vlad has always worked in a commercial environment in either sales or marketing. He had wanted to start his own enterprise but was held back by a sense of apprehension about all the things he didn’t know about running a business. To address this, he decided to study and chose ARU London on the recommendation of a friend – ‘the rest is history,’ Vlad told us. 

By the end of his second year of studying International Business Management, Vlad felt that through his academic learning he had built up enough contemporary knowledge and confidence to start his business. On 1 July 2021, together with his two business partners, Vlad launched MyFooDen.  

MyFooDen is an online European Supermarket, bringing together authentic, local produce from many different nations across Europe in one online shopping experience. Vlad explained that the concept behind MyFooDen came from the fact that even large supermarkets would only have a limited selection of international (specifically European) goods. The gap that he found in the market was that no retailer could offer a selection of foods from across Europe all in one place. MyFooDen offers a range and convenience delivered UK-wide directly to the customer. 

Growth plans for the business include expanding its range and diversity of products, for example, delicatessen and dairy. This will require larger storage facilities but being able to order in larger quantities will mean that costs can be lowered, and this means that the reduced prices can be passed onto the customer, ensuring that MyFooDen remains competitive.  

When asked about launching as part of a team of founders, Vlad explained that he was part of a talented team with different strengths; one of his partners has particularly strong IT skills, the other is very skilled in the supply chain, and Vlad deals with the daily operations and everything else. It works well and creates a shared purpose and vision. 

The business got off to a slow start, Vlad told us that the first 3 months were very hard. Trading levels were not as expected and consequently, morale was low. Vlad explained to me that all new business owners need to be relentless in their efforts to keep trying new things and to develop true resilience as he believes this to be the key attribute of an entrepreneur. The team at MyFooDen kept going, worked hard, and made the business a success. 

Vlad’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Reflecting on his experiences, if Vlad had to give one piece of advice to someone starting a business it would be to carry out an in-depth study on the market you intend to enter. Then you need to identify a set of problems that need solutions. This must be your starting point and remain your focus. 

 Website: https://www.myfooden.com/  

Veronica Andolfi

I have more than 6 years of experience in the business coaching and mentoring sector.

My approach depended on whether the company’s requests. A proactive and collaborative approach that makes interaction with the company easier.

I collaborate with Barclays UK and Capital Enterprise - Raise London- also Mentoring hub with Natwest future entrepreneur and Female funders in digital sector. (AI and coding)

I coached some companies virtually in Paris and Dubai, -event sector and administration.

I collaborate with some local charities in London to improve the connection between local institutions and businesses. With TAI UK , the approach is focused on One-on-one or Virtual Mentoring. providing clear instructions, advice, and feedback to the mentee, setting the agenda, and monitoring their progress.

I follow 8 companies( 5 startups and 3 medium-sized companies in the UK and US),especially in the creative, entertainment and health sectors.

Lately I have had discussions with some UK founders in the credit financial management and how to implement new tools in this sector.

An extraordinary example/achievement:

Positive result for a digital health platform for patient care, this company is based in Scotland and North West of England.

They have simplified the method of registering clients in nursing homes and clinics, more than 800,000 clinics have requested the demo Result/ Achievement I helped them to focus on very detailed market strategies that took into account some main factors, for example the work of the nurse ( Working such long hours can be physically and mentally tiring, it can affect the quality of care we provide and it can lead to burnout.) They have become a very well-known platform for an easy and rapid communication between the clinics, hospitals and patients.

Other case studies:

Event sector:

I was a mentor for a company with a team of 10 people who organise events for corporations and private parties. Their earnings are very substantial but their problem was how to best manage the staff and financial resources.

We developed with them a road map/ strategic plan aimed at the reorganisation and highlight the talents of the team.

I helped identify the weaknesses and strengths within the team, encouraging the senior board to re-establish balance and use various communication tools.

We have had a positive impact and determined new structures considering the company culture.

At the same time a positive impact on revenue

Charity Sector

A further example was my commitment to a charity that needed to identify priorities in their campaigns.

Raising awareness of an issue, fundraising, or getting people to take a specific action.

We re-evaluated the message's impact on public opinion, and identified:

• Awareness (of an issue)
• Awareness (of the charity)
• Fundraising (donations)
• Supporter action (sign-ups or events)

We created a reformulation of the narrative, relating to a key to engagement and call to action.

The campaign against domestic abuse in the UK was a success and achieved a participation rate higher than the 50% expected.

The 1 Hour Project

Every person should have access to a professional network that helps them.

The 1 Hour Project is a not-for-profit organisation designed to match students, who are the first in their families to go to University (excluding siblings), from low-income backgrounds with industry experts providing invaluable career insights.

What are we trying to do and why?

The 1 Hour Project enables industry experts to donate their time to help students from low-income backgrounds who typically have limited access to professional networks.

How will we do this?

Our aim is to connect students with up to 3 experts to have a 1 hour conversation to demystify career fields of interest.

This donation of time is given on an individual basis focusing on industry expertise and insights rather than the organisation/s that these experts are attached to.

Step One – Complete the registration form below. You will then receive a welcome email. 

Step Two – Once you register, we will ask you to nominate 2 people to Vouch for you and send you some information to help you to prepare for your conversation.

Step Three – When your network have Vouched for your strengths, and you have completed the short preparation we will then match you with an industry expert. 

Hazel Joseph

Deputy Director of Care Nightingale Hammerson

I was born and raised in Guyana, during my childhood I have always admired my aunt who was a nurse and drew my inspiration and admiration for the nursing profession at age sixteen I completed my secondary school examination known as the Caribbean Examination Certificate (CXC or A levels) and began my nursing career a year later at age seventeen. At age nineteen I qualified as an Assistant nurse (in 1992). I was not being satisfied being an Assistant nurse so I went on to further my nursing career and was qualified as a registered nurse in 2002 where I worked in several hospitals in Guyana before migrating to Montserrat in 2003. My dislike for bedside nursing led me to further my studies as an operating theatre nurse in 2004 where I worked predominantly as a surgical nurse (Scrub Nurse) supporting the surgeons during various surgical operations in 2006 I migrated to the UK (South Wales) where I was assigned to work in a care home. During that working experience, I developed a passion and love for elderly care. During my time working in health and social care. I attend several courses to broaden my knowledge in relation to elderly care in 2009 I migrated to London in search of a better opportunity to develop my career as a leader and more so as a manager within the health and social care fraternity. I have fortunately applied my knowledge and was appointed as Senior Lead Nurse in 90-bed care Within six months of working as a Senior Lead Nurse, I was offered a role as the Clinical Lead Nurse role and this was mainly due to my organizational, management, and leadership skills. In 2012 I was headhunted by a recruitment company and was successfully appointed Unit Manager at Nightingale Hammerson (Nightingale House South London Home) However, not satisfied with the level I was at in relation to the leadership and managerial skills I had attained in practice and the desire to broaden my knowledge. I decided to attend South Thames Colleges in Tooting where I successfully completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services. Having attained my QCF level 5 qualification in 2013, I was approached by the Directors of Care of Nightingale Hammerson to become the registered manager of Hammerson House and was appointed as the Registered Manager. It was during this period I was able to practice and develop my leadership and managerial skills. Expand my knowledge and understanding of health and social care in 2017 I worked closely with the Senior Leadership team and successfully decommissioned Hammerson House so it could be reconstructed. Following the decommissioning of Hammers House, I was appointed Education and Development Manager within the organization for a short period and later resigned from the role. During the rebuilding of Hammerson House, I continued to work with other care organizations as a Registered Manager further expanding my leadership and managerial skills within health and social care. In 2020 I was once again approached by the Director of Care to return to Nightingale Hammerson. I was appointed as Care Quality improvement lead for a short period and later the Deputy Director of Care and Registered Manager of Hammerson House in 2021. I currently have the overall responsibility y of managing Hammerson House which has the capacity to house 116 residents and leads a team of over 200 team members.

Robie Ramos

Senior Associate, Employment and Immigration - Eversheds Sutherland.

My name is Robie Christian Reyes Ramos and I am a Senior Associate at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. I studied Law at Anglia Ruskin University London and graduated in 2017.

Before qualifying as a solicitor, I worked and trained at one of Anglia Ruskin University London’s partners, Barar & Associates Limited.

Thanks to the tremendous help that I received from the Employability team, especially Anita Virik, I was able to secure an internship at Barar & Associates alongside my studies.

Teodora Tudzharova

Teodora came to London 17 years ago and initially worked for six years in the accounting industry as a tax assistant and administrator at Barchester Healthcare. In 2016, she earned a certificate from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) and transitioned to a role as an HR administrator at Marie Stopes International. Two years later, after graduating from ARUL with a degree in Business and Law in 2022, she began gaining work experience as a Paralegal at KC Solicitors in early 2024. By March 2024, she accepted a permanent position as an Immigration Paralegal at Barar & Associates.

Tan Ikram

Tan Ikram became a Deputy District Judge in 2003 and a District Judge (magistrates' courts) on the South Eastern Circuit in 2009. In 2017 he was appointed the Deputy Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) for England & Wales.

He was called to the Bar in 1990 and later practiced as a solicitor specialising in fraud, serious and complex crime. He was a Legal Assessor to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Conduct Committee and served as the President of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association in 2007–08.

Read more on his profile here: https://www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/case-study/tan-ikram-district-judge-magistrates-court

Steven Perian KC. FCIArb

Steven Perian KC FCIArb stands as a towering figure in the legal arena, recognised for his outstanding contributions and excellence as a King's Counsel in Crime in London. Consistently recognised as a leading Silk in the Legal 500, his career is a tapestry woven with remarkable achievements and substantial impacts on the field of law. It reflects a career steeped in defending and prosecuting the most serious criminal offences.

Steven is renowned for his outstanding work as a prosecutor in a series of high-profile and compelling cases. His remarkable courtroom expertise has led to successful convictions and captured the attention of both local and international media. He has appeared on Sky Crime’s Killer in My Village series, discussing a prominent murder case he prosecuted. These cases, extensively covered by the press, stand as a powerful testament to his unwavering commitment to upholding the law and delivering justice on a global scale.

As a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), an affiliate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and a member of the Civil Mediation Council, Steven Perian’s commitment to legal excellence is truly international. His work in international arbitration and his role as a Commercial Mediator in both the UK and Malaysia underscore his dedication to fostering global justice. This commitment is further highlighted by his position on the Panel of Advocates for the International Criminal Court, reflecting his expertise and influence in the field.

A trailblazer in legal history, Steven achieved the unprecedented feat of being the first and only English KC called to the High Court of Malaya.

In Malaysia, he is a partner at the prestigious law firm Rosli Dahlan and Saravana Partnership, where he leads the economic crime practice. His expertise is highly sought after by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Bar Association, where he regularly delivers lectures on advocacy and anti-money laundering, further solidifying his influence within the global legal arena.

He is a member of the Inns of Court Malaysia (ICM), a distinguished society of judges, lawyers, jurists, legal academics, and other legal professionals from diverse backgrounds. The ICM is united by a shared mission of promoting professional legal excellence across all levels of the legal field.

Steven was formerly a Senior Crown Prosecutor, for Special Casework Division (London) and a part-time law lecturer.

Beyond his role as a legal luminary, Steven is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of legal talent. His dedication shines through in his advocacy and vulnerability training for Pupils and New Practitioners at Lincoln’s Inn, where he imparts invaluable skills and insights. He also serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Asian Law Students’ Association United Kingdom (ALSA UK), further solidifying his commitment to supporting and inspiring emerging legal professionals.

Outside the courtroom, Steven is a compassionate humanitarian actively engaged with charitable organisations. As a member of Tamil Rise, he brings together Tamil entrepreneurs and professionals from over 30 countries, working to elevate the global profile of the Tamil community in the 21st century.

Robert Cartmell

Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. Specialist area is Trusts work as well as Inheritance Tax Planning and Asset Protection. From having owned and managed a multi-faceted legal firm. Robert now specialises solely in areas of Estate Planning, wills, trusts and administration work which providing consulting services to law firms.

ProTrust Consulting

ProTrust Consulting (PTC) is a small firm based in London (North Row, Mayfair).

We act for individuals and families.

As the name suggests, we are focused primarily on ‘Trust’ work. We do help people with other ‘legaltype’ matters but our core areas are in Trusts.

It might be assumed that ‘Trusts’ is a ‘niche’ area but it very much applies to everyday family circumstances and it ought not to be limited to the wealthy but anyone who cares about ensuring that their estate and assets are protected to pass in the most efficient way to their chosen family members.

Primarily, Trusts are created through Wills (ie on death) but there can be trusts created during the course of someone’s life.

When a Trust is activated, such as on death of the Will-maker, it brings into play the requirement for good administration and management of the Trust – but primarily it is a process of educating the family members as to

(a) Why the Trust is created;

(b) What it says and means;

(c) Who is it to benefit;

(d) How it is to operate.

We divide our service areas into three linked areas:

• Estate Planning

The creation of a Trust, a Will and other services.

• Estate Administration

Carrying out the administration of a Will - this is largely transactional. A process of collecting in assets, passing the benefit to family beneficiaries.

• Trust Management

Trusts that are then activate on death are then administered for beneficiaries. One of the keys to using a Trust is the creation of a structure to benefit not just one beneficiary (say a widow(er) but also to ensure that successive beneficiaries are protected (ie children, grandchildren). So a trust provides a mechanism that can go on for a long time (up to 125 years in fact). A process of ongoing understanding, education and management of the Trust’s ‘value’ is undertaken.

Skillsets for our people:

We come from a legal background (former solicitor’s firms) but we are not a firm of solicitors. We are not accountants or financial advisors. We bridge those gaps in this field and therefore that is why we are also niche. We can introduce those areas where it is necessary and required for the benefit of families.

Therefore, our technical expertise and skill sets can be derived from any of those professional service areas and a little grounding in all is required. Primarily though, we believe that a legal background (a law degree, for example) is the most appropriate for those seeking to develop a career in this area.

To learn more about the company and opportunities please visit https://protrustconsulting.co.uk/.

Michael Olatokun

Michael Olatokun is a Tech Engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering First Class Honors in Computer Science. Having graduated in 2015, he has gained many experiences and applied knowledge in various sectors including Government, Finance and now the Consulting sector. He is passionate about the computing industry and helping the next generation get into the tech industry. In his freetime, you will find him learning Spanish, in a good book or working on his health and well-being.

Marriott Hotel – Maida Vale and London Marriott Hotel Regent’s Park

Maida Vale - Discover contemporary comfort with style to match at the London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale. Ideally located in the scenic Maida Vale district, their hotel provides all you need for a remarkable experience. Thoughtfully appointed guest rooms offer a host of useful amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi access, a flat-screen TV, and a spacious work desk. Enjoy complimentary access to a heated pool at Bannatyne's Leisure Club, adjacent to our hotel, or satisfy your cravings with mouthwatering Italian cuisine at our in house, "Restaurant Fratelli". Guests seeking a venue for a business meeting or wedding here in Maida Vale can benefit from six functional event spaces, in addition to dedicated planning and catering services. The hotel's exceptional location situates you close to London's top destinations, including Camden Market, Wembley Stadium, and Regents Park. No matter your reason for visiting North West London, you'll be delighted with your stay here at the London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale.

The London Marriott Hotel Regents Park is conveniently located north of London in an area ideal for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel’s setting in Swiss Cottage provides the perfect base from which to explore the city, making sightseeing fun and easy for families, friends and solo travellers. In addition, the lively markets of Camden Town, Primrose Hill with its chic shops, cafés and panoramic views across London, and ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park are all within walking distance of this North London hotel. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi in all public areas and access to our well-equipped on-site Leisure Club with indoor swimming pool. Boasting 307 rooms, 7 meeting rooms, bar and restaurant our friendly hotel in North London provides for a memorable stay.

Marriott Hotels, Marriott International’s flagship brand with more than 500 global locations, is advancing the art of hosting so that their guests can travel brilliantly. As a host with Marriott Hotels, they keep their promise by delivering premium choices, sophisticated style, and well-crafted details. ARU London has recently partnered with Marriott – Maida Vale and the HR Manager will be attending as guest lecture on an on-going basis to share her knowledge and her passion for HR and for the Hotel industry. The HR manager encourages students to demonstrate their skills and imagination.

Lijun Hou

Dynamic and results-oriented PPC Specialist with a proven track record of driving exceptional performance in digital advertising campaigns across B2C e-commerce, EdTech, and hospitality consulting sectors.

 My passion for strategic planning, meticulous optimization, and ROI maximization has enabled me to excel in enhancing online visibility and boosting sales, integrating the latest features and trends to maximize Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).

Leveraging analytical insights and data-driven decision-making, I optimize campaign performance, cultivating strong partnerships and achieving tangible results in diverse industries.

Beyond my technical expertise in Google Ads, A/B Testing, Data Analysis, and Conversion Rate Optimization, I thrive on the human aspect of our industry. I have a genuine love for networking events, where the exchange of ideas and experiences fuels my passion for the digital marketing field. These interactions not only broaden my perspective but also reinforce my commitment to sharing knowledge and helping others.

I'm keenly interested in connecting with fellow PPC professionals and small businesses. Whether you're looking to exchange insights, seek a comprehensive account assessment, or explore collaborative opportunities, I'm here to help. My approach is rooted in the belief that together, we can uncover innovative solutions and drive success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Let's connect! If you're passionate about digital marketing, looking for advice, or simply wish to exchange ideas, I'm open to conversations that foster growth, innovation, and lasting connections. Whether through LinkedIn, industry events, or casual meet-ups, I believe in the power of networking to unlock new opportunities and insights.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lijunhou/

Maria Vu

With over five years of experience in the hospitality industry, I am now a recruitment expert who specialises in helping people to realize their full potential and become the best version of themselves. I have a CIPD Level 3 in Human Resources Management qualification and a BSc (Hons) Management degree.

As an Internal Recruiter at Rapport, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, I collaborate with the HR team to support the development and growth of team members and create value for the company. I am a sociable, focused, and well-presented individual, determined to achieve set goals and perform under pressure accurately alone or in a team.

Laura Hall-Williams

With 5+ years of experience as a PROSCI certified Change Manager, I am currently immersing myself in several exciting AI-ML, Cloud Transformation, Product to Platform and Data Programs. Collaborating with Executives, Senior Stakeholders, and Project Teams, I provide dynamic leadership for organisational changes and digital transformations.

From strategic planning to seamless implementation, I take full ownership of the change cycle. My mission is to craft solutions that ignite enthusiasm for change, promote awareness, empower individuals, and drive impactful outcomes.

Kirstine McDowall

I’ve been Voluntary Services Manager at Camden and Islington since January 2023. I joined the trust in 2015 as a tutor with their Recovery College then moved onto working as a coach with one of the community health teams before finally taking up the volunteer management position.

My qualification is in Business Studies, and I was working as an Account Manager for a distribution company when I became unwell. After several years out of the job market, volunteering was my first step back towards employment. I began volunteering with a physical health charity, moving onto working for them. After several years with the charity, I joined the trust.

I am passionate about volunteering and helping others take the same journey I did. Many of my volunteers are looking to get back into employment after some time out or to start their careers in the health sector and volunteering is a great way to get skills and experience. Not only that, but it’s also good for your wellbeing. Studies show that people who volunteer are happier than people who don’t.

Julian Sierra

International bilingual business transformation advisor with 20 years of experience helping companies worldwide enhancing their commercial and marketing initiatives and empowering C-Level professionals to succeed. Extensive experience developing and executing innovative Go-To-Market strategies across EMEA, The UK and Americas regions.Deep understanding of the digital transformation and data management landscape, effectively driving change within culturally complex organisations facing challenges embracing business transformation. 

• Corporate trainer and coach for Goodyear, Hilton, Hard Rock Hotel, Telmex, Grupo Sura, ES Windows, Seguridad Atlas, Copa Airlines, Banco de Occidente, Grupo Carvajal, Comfandi, Coomeva, and Comestibles Aldor.
• Board of Directors advisor in GTM strategy and strategic planning  for 10+ SMEs in America
• Marketing and change Management Advisor

15+ years of experience in 3 of the top 10 unniversities in Colombia 

• Internships mentor for BA Business Administration students for 
• Entrepreneurship coach in strategic planning and GTM strategy at Campus Nova
• Academic coordinator, developer and lecturer for the GTM strategy certified course for continued education
• Named professor in marketing plan and GTM strategy at the BA Business Administration programme 
• Lecturer in Sales, GTM strategy, CRM and trade marketing at the continued education & consulting centre 
• Corporate GTM strategy and sales advisor and trainer at the continued education & consulting centre 
• Named professor in marketing plan and GTM strategy at the Marketing master programmes
• Named professor in CRM at the Quality & Productivity master programme

Hilton

Hilton Hotels and Resorts has more than 540 properties in 78 countries across six continents. As the most recognized name in the industry, Hilton remains synonymous with the word "hotel." From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history.  

Hilton seeks students who can deliver exceptional guest experiences, who act with integrity and show leadership skills. In the UK Business Traveller Awards, Hilton was awarded for “Best Business Hotel Chain in the UK” and “Best Business Hotel Chain in Europe.” To work for Hilton you will need to show that you have the determination to work hard and succeed as they operate with a sense of urgency and discipline.  

Glyn Clark

Glyn, owner and director of Radfield Home Care Camden, Islington & Haringey, has a wealth of knowledge in the financial sector. He has an extensive and impressive career history which makes him perfect for the care sector.

Despite having had a challenging time at school and leaving with minimal qualifications, Glyn Clark joined Goldman Sachs at the age of 21 where he had a successful 25 year career including spells in New York, Tokyo and Zurich. Glyn then spent 12 years with a major hedge fund first as Head of Operations and then as Head of Compliance.

Since 2016 Glyn has successfully launched his own company Eden Park Homes procuring and managing residential mobile home estates.

Glyn has experience of supporting and advising boards on compliance matters as well as chairing the board of his own company. He also holds a Trustee position on a synagogue board.

Glyn knows his patch better than a London cabbie and has a broad knowledge of the area. Glyn started his career in London, and over a 40-year career, found himself operating all over the world. Opening a care agency covering the Camden, Islington and Haringey area is the next big step in his career.

Fiona Belk

Experienced Human Resources Professional. Talent Development and Business Partner with a demonstrated history of working across a variety of industries including investment banking, energy and telecoms industry. Skilled in Training Programme Design, Executive Development, Performance Improvement, Career Development, and HR Consulting. Strong human resources professional with an academic background and qualifications in Coach Mentoring, Counselling and Psychology.

Ben Rymer

Ben began working in technology consulting 10 years ago, focused in the Microsoft business applications space. Having spent time supporting clients in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ben is now focused on leading KPMG’s UK Public Sector Microsoft practice spending most of his time in Central Government and Higher Education. With Microsoft’s investment in the rights to OpenAI, creators of Chat GPT, Ben’s time is more and more spent on helping organisations and their people navigate the future of their industries in the context of AI.

Atul Kochhar

Atul Kochhar is many things to ARU London and its students. He is recognised as a Student Mentor and an Ambassador of ARU London, as well as a highly successful Business Entrepreneur. Because of these qualities, he is viewed as a role model to many of the students whether they are studying Hospitality, his specialised field, or any aspect of business.

Atul is one of the most critically acclaimed chefs in Britain and able to boast being the first Indian Chef to receive a Michelin star back in 2001. His background as an Indian born, British based chef has allowed him to create a new take on his native cuisine that has been heavily recognised as superb. As well as taking inspiration from British ingredients, Atul has travelled the world to understand the different cultures, cuisines and ingredients available all over the globe.

Atul has many restaurants throughout the world. His first, Benares found in Mayfair, was started in 2003, and by 2007 he was rewarded with another Michelin Star thanks to his unique and innovative approach to modern recipes. He has many more restaurants including establishments in Dubai and on 5 of P&O’s cruise ships. Having recipes featured in international publications and many regular appearances on British TV, Atul remains committed to his passion and is constantly seeking inspiration through travel and research. His work ethic and talent have not gone unnoticed as he has had the privilege to cook for Prince Charles at St. James’s Palace as well as having been personally invited to meet HM The Queen during the President of India’s official visit.

Atul has frequently worked with students throughout his career and is an experienced mentor, having worked with many hospitality and catering students. He is fortunate enough to have seen many go on to success and find managerial jobs within the industry. Having Atul work closely with ARU London gives our students the incredible opportunity to gain valuable insight from such a successful businessman.

Valitaly / Valeria Scire

What did you study: MBA International

When did you graduate: 2020

Short story of your business: Valitaly is a partnership venture between Valeria Scire, Carla Capuano, Lasbrey Ejehu and Shahied Joseph, all of whom studied together on ARU London’s MBA International course. 

Valitaly was created as a concept in class, in the Strategic Marketing and New Venture Development module. Valeria pitched the idea to the lecturer and then the 4 classmates came together to further develop one idea to use each of their strengths to create a viable business. 

In November 2020, the team decided to launch Valitaly, they had observed consumer behaviour during the pandemic, in that many people were choosing to purchase products online. They designed a user-friendly website to offer quality Italian food products that people could not buy elsewhere in the UK, delivered straight to their door. 

Ever since the successful launch, they have held weekly meetings – they all have day jobs – in these meetings they set regular goals and review their progress. Just 2 months after the launch they had exceeded their initial goals, which Valeria described as a great feeling. 

Their first customer group was friends and family but then the business started to grow via word-of-mouth recommendations. They also designed a social media strategy using Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and they decided to pay for social media advertising campaigns and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), which worked very well. 

They produce a weekly newsletter for all existing customers which showcases promotions, including "buy one get one free" deals, bundles and new products. They also have regular ‘giveaways’ which again has worked well. They are attracting new customers and the business is growing. 

They follow trends of what their customer base would like they have diversified to offer gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan products as well as high-quality olive oil. In addition to this, they launched their own brand of coffee – Valitaly Coffee. Sourced directly from Tuscany, they offer bags of blended roasted bean ground coffee, which can be used with a wide range of coffee machines. 

Each of the team has different skills, for example: 

Carla works in Marketing, so she understands SEO and campaigns; Lasbrey has expertise in management and logistics; Shahied works for a bank so is their financial expert and Valeria carries out product research. She has direct access to suppliers in Italy from her personal network and therefore has been able to negotiate some great deals, and she also updates the website to keep it looking fresh and appealing.  

Valitaly is at a point where it is ready to expand and diversify – keep an eye on its website. 

All new customers are eligible for a 10% discount on their first order by entering WELCOME01 at the checkout. 

Valeria’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Valeria’s advice to anyone looking to start their own business is to find a viable idea and go for it! She says to set small and achievable goals – this is great for team morale. 

She also says not to give up, do not expect instant results. Keep going and be resilient. If you keep working hard you will see the results. Above all, be realistic, and don’t expect too much too soon.

Website: https://www.valitaly.co.uk/en

Studio Andruz / Andreea Ruse

What do you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Human Resources 

When do you graduate: 2023 

Short story of your business: Andreea worked for a shipping courier for many years, and in early 2022 suffering from burnout she made the difficult decision to take some time out from work. Her GP told her that she needed to relax, after 3 days of relaxing Andreea became bored and knew she had to do something. She took herself off to Hobbycraft and looked for a creative outlet. 

Andreea started to make things, starting with horseshoes for brides, keeping herself busy. After one month she found Jesmonite and instantly connected with the material. Being able to make beautiful things made her happy and gave her a feeling that she describes as ‘therapeutic’. 

Working with Jesmonite felt natural. What was great about this newfound interest was that Andreea was able to use both her academic and professional skills. It made her think back to the Business Environment module, which had inspired her. She started to carry out extensive research on Jesmonite, finding two studio-based courses on how to work with Jesmonite. When she attended the courses, Andreea paid great attention to how business is run working with Jesmonite from how to set up the studio to how to commercialise the end products. She was keen to learn all that she could – what fixtures and fittings did she need, which materials, the suppliers – full research on the product and how to work with it. 

After the training, she felt confident to be more creative, so Andreea started researching how to build her own moulds out of silicon – previously she had used purchased moulds, but this limited what she could create. She wanted to create something large, buying a mould with a diameter of 60cm was out of her price range, so she set out to make one herself – and succeeded for less than half the price! 

Andreea has set up a studio where she works each day. She has a set routine for each day whether that be research, making items, or marketing. The next steps for Studio Andruz is to find its market, have an official product launch, create a website and secure stockists. 

Andreea’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Research, research, research! Be resilient and open. Respect the people around you and listen to their advice. Persevere – success does not come overnight.  

Website: Etsy Online Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AndRuzDesignsStudio / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andruzstudio/ 

So Real Muller / Claude Mouteng

What did you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Healthcare Management  

When did you graduate: 2022 

Short story of your business: In 2018, as part of the module ‘Introduction to Business ‘Claude was given the assignment to create a viable business with a very small budget. She knew that she wanted to create something that would improve and maintain good health. Within 3 weeks she had prepared a prototype, she had designed the label, bottled her product and drafted a website for her tonic health drink: ‘So Real Muller’. 

So Real Muller has a base of Hibiscus flower extract. This has a range of health properties; it is antioxidant and loaded with natural vitamins great for detoxifying the body. Claude explains that it is used in hospitals in the Netherlands to speed up recovery from ill health.  

By Christmas of 2018, Claude’s local organic health shop agreed to take a box of her product – this flew off the shelves and she began to make a profit. The health shop continued to stock the drink, and Claude took it herself to sell at markets and fairs in the UK and in Europe. It began to gather momentum and then the pandemic hit. Unfortunately, Claude wasn’t quite ready for online sales at that stage so missed the online boom of the pandemic. 

Post-pandemic, things are picking up again. Claude has a weekly stall every Saturday at Brick Lane market, where she has regular customers, and she has started to attend fairs and shows again. She has just returned from an entrepreneur's fair in Paris, where her product was very well received. 

When asked what was next for So Real Muller, Claude explained that she was at the product testing stage at present. She produces 100 bottles at a time, and those that have been kept over the pandemic period have started to mature. Now aged at 3 years they have a richer and fuller flavour – she is considering this as a new range, which will require a product re-launch.  

Claude explains that the non-alcoholic drinks industry is set to boom by 2030, and So Real Muller’s aim is to be ready to take advantage of that. Watch this space! 

Claude’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: You need to be passionate and committed. Your idea is unique, so be prepared for all the barriers and challenges.  

• There are so many things you don’t know, be open to learning. 
• One cannot afford to let their idea fail. Be resilient and keep working hard. It is not easy.  
• Give it your all, keep perfecting. As no one is guiding you, make sure you have constant customer feedback. 

 Website: https://www.sorealmuller.com/  

Skintuition / Alina Dumitru

What did you study: MBA International  

When did you graduate: 2019 

Short story of your business: Alina started Skintuition, a skincare business, having experienced issues with her own skin for many years. This inspired her to research the market for solutions as even medical professionals had been unable to help her. 

As part of her extensive research, she came across a YouTube video about Korean skincare, and how Korean women demanded excellent products – Alina describes this as her ‘lightbulb moment’. All these years she had thought the problem was with her, and not the ingredients of what she had been using on her skin.  

She became obsessed with researching the ingredients of each product, testing them all on her own skin, she became her own test subject! Trying everything for herself meant that she could understand and feel the value of the high-quality product formulation that did not upset the skin balance and did not contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, perfume and preservatives. 

She found two brands and tested them over 2 years to ensure that they had the desired effect and fixed her skin problems. She told her friends about them, and they wanted to know more, asking for tips and tricks for great skin. The only problem was that these products were very difficult to buy in Romania due to import tax and having to go direct to the supplier. 

In 2018 Alina moved to the UK, she left the corporate world and decided in 2012 that she would be her own boss. Since then, she has run many businesses some more successful than others. She decided to do an MBA International at ARU London to upskill. Following successful completion of her MBA, Alina launched an online CBD oil business, this did not work out and finally collapsed when COVID hit, but it was a steep learning curve in overcoming obstacles; due to the nature of the product, there was legislation to comply with when it came to advertising and many banks refused to provide payment services. 

Back to the drawing board, Alina knew she needed another business venture – something to lift spirits and something she could talk about with passion and conviction, her skincare products – another lightbulb moment! She knew her friends in Romania could not buy these products, so she started searching for suppliers. She approached E-Mag, an equivalent of Amazon in Romania, at just the right time, as they were about to extend into beauty and cosmetics.  She said this was a strong example of being in the right place at the right time! Alina has two other business partners one in Romania and one in Germany - all of their product is sold via this supplier there are no overhead costs for storage. The business model works, so they are just looking to expand to other nations – watch this space! 

Alina’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Do your research thoroughly: legislation, competitors, pricing strategy. Monetising options: how will you make money? How will you market your product? 

Do something you enjoy; if you are not passionate it is hard to keep motivated. You must be an expert on your product. Believe in your product, do not sell anything you would not give it to your loved ones. Do not set up a business purely to make money. 

Learn to do as much as possible by yourself. Ensure you have carried out sufficient product testing pre-launch. Timing is everything. Good luck! 

Website: www.skintituon.ro

MM Property Group / Manfred Zeka

What do you study: BSc (Hons) International Business Management 

When do you graduate: 2025 

Short story of your business: Manfred explained that his business literally ‘came out of nowhere.’ He had been in the UK less than 6 months when the pandemic hit which coincided with him applying for his university course, but in the meantime, he needed some income. The lockdown made it very difficult to get a job, despite all his efforts Manfred felt frustrated sending his CV out multiple times a day with little hope of even receiving a reply. He did, however, hear back from a letting agent and soon started as a Lettings Negotiator – this was his first experience of working in the property sector. Manfred gained some experience whilst carrying out this role but also learnt more about the intricacies of property management. He began carrying out extensive research about the UK property sector and how to make a profit from it.  

In the summer of 2021, Manfred had the chance to start his own letting agency. Reflecting upon his experiences, he said that he made lots of mistakes in the beginning, but each of them was an opportunity to learn. The first few months were a struggle. Manfred felt that he was putting in great amounts of time and effort with no positive results. This period was very hard and draining, but it taught him to become resilient and made him even more determined to succeed. The problem with the business at that time was that Manfred had not yet found a niche – he was looking at taking on any property that he could rent to any person – and this was a mistake that he only discovered with time and experience. 

Once Manfred started his degree course at ARU London, he started to meet like-minded people. In addition to university, he also signed up for as many networking events as he could and again, he met with more people who could work with him and help him shape the direction of his business.  He formed a team that worked hard on developing the overall strategy for the business and defined its niche – students. Shortly after this change of direction MM Property Group relocated to Swansea, as it seemed to work better for the business model than London. 

As a student himself, Manfred could put himself in the shoes of the student. He arranged mass surveys which returned over 700 pieces of data which outlined the common struggles of students when trying to rent properties whilst they study. MM Property Group is a specialist letting agency for students, which has an excellent reputation for looking after both landlords and tenants. 

Manfred’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Don't give up, yes you have to work and it can be a struggle, but be resilient and keep fighting to succeed! 

 Website: https://www.mmpropertygroup.uk/  

Darragh O’Shaughnessy

Talent Acquisition Manager - Hyatt Hotels London

Darragh moved to London in 2006 to join the Red Carnation Hotel Collection following his studies at the Shannon College of Hotel Management in his native Ireland. Upon completion of the Graduate Programme, he took on the role of Guest Relations Manager at Hotel 41 located opposite Buckingham Palace, and later the position of Restaurant Manager at the Rubens at the Palace Hotel.

In 2010, following an encounter with a HR Director at Hilton Hotels, his career path took a different route and he became the Chef Recruitment Manager for Hilton Hotels UK. Darragh’s career path in HR and Talent Attraction continued with roles at Harris + Hoole (coffee/food retail), the Gordon Ramsay Group, a return to Red Carnation Hotels where he oversaw recruitment and talent management for the collection, and most recently at Hyatt Hotels where he supports multiple hotels with their hiring needs and strategy.

Priscilla Sousa (Hitachi Vantara)

Priscilla started her career in the hospitality industry. She has 12 years’ experience as a general manager in fine dining London restaurants. Whilst managing a famous London restaurant, she decided to start her Finance and Accounting degree at ARU London.

During her degree, Priscilla had the opportunity to venture into the Technology/Finance sector working for Empowered Systems who was a London-based financial software provider and a partner of our university. Following  the first experience, she then worked for Thomson Reuters for nearly five years delivering innovative business software solutions for governance, risk, compliance, and regulatory reporting for organisations with complex data management challenges such as large banks. About over a year ago Priscilla joined Hitachi as a Senior Consultant. Hitachi is a leading company in digital transformation, innovation and development from across Hitachi Group companies, delivering data-driven solutions for commercial and industrial enterprises. Hitachi is among “Reuters 100 Global Top Innovators”.

Priscilla had this to say “My previous position as General Manager along with the material that I learnt from great lecturers at ARU London such as financial reporting, calculating risk, how to write business reports and dealing with budgets to name a few, have helped me gain a wide array of knowledge which came to very good use for my career.”

Donna Allcock (Tourism Ireland)

Donna is an award-winning travel industry professional with extensive experience within a range of industry sectors, including travel agents, tour operators, OTA’s, metasearch brands and tourist boards. These include Thomas Cook, TravelSupermarket.com, Olympic Holidays and Tourism Ireland, excelling in strategic product planning & development, marketing and e-commerce roles in addition to Director and Board positions.

Passionate about continuous professional development, and almost 20 years after starting her career as a Travel Sales Apprentice, Donna competed with entries from around the world to be awarded the industry’s first ever TTG Media Scholarship to study with Leeds Beckett University. She graduated with a First Class (Hons) degree in Travel Business Management in 2016 and won an Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) Student Award, UK Management Undergraduate of the Year finalist, took her first Board position and became an active ITT Education & Training Committee member helping further support the Future You initiative as an Ambassador and Fellow member.

Donna has also taken on a range of consultancy roles in the travel and travel-education sector including working with a leading global awarding body for vocational tourism qualifications and has recently contributed to an upcoming academic publication. She is now the Strategy Implementation Manager (Great Britain) for Tourism Ireland. She is a passionate advocate for championing access to and development opportunities within the travel, tourism & hospitality industry.

Michael Olatokun (SkillStruct)

Michael Olatokun is a Tech Engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering First Class Honors in Computer Science. Having graduated in 2015, he has gained many experiences and applied knowledge in various sectors including Government, Finance and now the Consulting sector. He is passionate about the computing industry and helping the next generation get into the tech industry. In his free time, you will find him learning Spanish, in a good book or a working on his health and wellbeing.

Robie Romos (Corporate Immigration Solicitor at Deloitte LLP)

Robie had the fantastic opportunity of an internship with prestigious London law firm Barar & Associates (B&A), a city law firm specialising in immigration matters and is now working at Deloitte LLP as a Corporate Immigration Solicitor.

Although he admits to having struggled with his studies during his first year, he speaks of how the Study Skills seminars and regular feedback and guidance from his lecturers have helped him profusely and his grades have not ceased to improve. He especially enjoys the Civil Litigation module of his course which is directly relevant to the requirements of his internship.

He adds that ARUL is the only one of the few universities to offer this module in undergraduate study, despite it being a core element of solicitor training (LPC). He has relished getting stuck in to university life during his time at ARUL, including working as a Student Representative since starting his course and Vice President of the University Law Society; as well as having won an award for receiving the highest marks in his year for one of his course modules.

His advice to law students is to apply early for jobs they are interested in, to be aware of early application deadlines and take the support and guidance from the employability team. He understands the great value of undertaking meaningful employment alongside studying to boost your employability and taking what you are learning in the classroom out into the real world.

Salutem

Salutem’s objective is to become the leading provider of Care, Education and Support; for the elderly, disabled people and for people with learning disabilities and complex needs.

They acquire existing care homes, convert existing buildings, and develop state-of-the-art communities for our residents and service users.

They bring their expertise to purchased or new build homes through the implementation of head office functions including:

• Expert Care Quality oversight
• Human resources & legal
• Estates management
• Information technology
• Financial control
• Corporate finance

www.salutemcareandeducation.co.uk

Tom Ketteley (UK Visas & Immigration)

Tom is an Assistant Director in the Appeals, Litigation and Admin Review Directorate at UK Visas & Immigration where he leads an operational team managing the majority of Court of Appeal and Supreme Court challenges handled by UKVI.  He also leads on delivering legal career pathway opportunities for colleagues supporting staff on their journey to becoming chartered legal executives and solicitors.

Tom volunteers as an Independent Panel Member for Senior Civil Service recruitment panels within the Home Office and across government.  In 2020, Tom was appointed by the Greater London Authority for a 5 year term to act as an Independent Panel Member for certain Mayoral appointments.

Previously, Tom worked as a solicitor in private practice in the field of immigration law before moving to the immigration litigation public law team at Government Legal Department. Tom was a founding committee member of the Law Society LGBT+ Lawyers Division and works promote diversity within the legal profession.  Tom was identified as an LGBT+ role model in the 2018 and 2019 OUTstanding LGBT+ Public Sector Executive list

Umi

As a digital-first hotel marketing agency, we tailor our service around the demands of hospitality owners and managers to create a seamless process with tools and technology to make your life easier. Our priority always revolves around generating direct bookings away from the Online Travel Agents so that your Hotel, Hostel, Restaurant or other hospitality business can create a reliable and loyal customer base.

The million+ hits on our servers every month generate significant amounts of data, on which we base our hotel marketing and design decisions. The last decade of data has given us significant insights into how to win at hospitality and travel marketing and we look forward to making a significant impact on your business.

Ace Inventories / Andraya Catlyn

What did you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Healthcare Management

When did you graduate: 2022

Short story of your business: Andraya describes herself as a ‘business addict,’ she is fascinated by business which is why she decided to study for her particular degree.

Although Ace Inventories was set up 7 years ago, it was during the last two years that it really took off. Much of this Andraya credits to her education, she has been able to apply the theories from her degree to her business with impressive results.

Ace Inventories operated solely in Croydon until its recent expansion to Manchester and Luton. Andraya has created opportunities for her family members in these locations to set up their own branches of Ace Inventories rather like a franchise.

This chimes precisely with Andraya’s personal ethos and values. For many years she has had the ambition to empower women and she has been able to do this through her business, which at this moment in time has all-female staffing.

Andraya’s USP is that she works with her clients rather than for her clients, she believes that gives her the edge when it comes to repeat business. Her client base is made up of Letting Agencies as well as private landlords. When asked why she chose this industry, she explained that she finds Property a highly interesting sector with plenty of room for future business diversification and development. It is ever-changing and she is well-informed on the market.

Andraya’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Andraya came up with 3 main points:

• Prioritise important things to you and you have an emotional attachment to them. A good starting point is to make sure that you are committed to your business idea and that it is something you will enjoy
• Be prepared to put in time and money, and to be in it for the long term
• Priorities and passion drive you

Website: https://aceinventoriesltd.com/

Dirty Gainz Burger / Luigi Sipos

What do you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Marketing

When will you graduate: 2023

Short story of your business: Luigi is a second-year Business and Marketing student, set to graduate in 2023.

Over the last 5 years, Luigi has been searching for the best burger; however, despite his efforts, he couldn’t find what he was looking for so started reading up on ingredients to make his perfect burger. In February 2022, Luigi teamed up with a business partner and launched his burger from a food truck in East London via a food delivery app.

Telling his story, Luigi explained that it all started with his first job as a chef in Romania where he cooked many different dishes for his customers. After he finished college, he moved to London to study Business and Marketing at ARU London and alongside his studies, he worked again as a chef - this is how he found his passion for food and cooking.

Even when he was a teenager, Luigi wanted to earn his own money and be financially independent. He had been saving money for years with a dream of starting his own business, inspired by his grandparents, who had run a small business supplying wood to construction companies. For his first business venture, he bought second-hand clothes and resold them in his own online vintage clothes shop, and even before that as a small child he and a friend would sing and play musical instruments to make money to buy their ice cream. On reflection, Luigi believes that his business mindset formed in his childhood and developed further in his teenage years when he started to read books and watch inspirational videos.

Going back to his product, Luigi recognises that everyone has their favourite meal, his is a large burger with hand-cut fries. He jokes that he sounds easy to please but he is quite the opposite, He tried over 100 different burger restaurants and only found 5 that were of the quality he liked, inspiring him to create a unique recipe – he had found a gap in the fast food burger market, which he intended to fill. After extensive research Luigi concluded that making a great burger came down to 3 things:

1. How you cook it
2. Quality of Ingredients
3. The recipe (combination of flavours)

Luckily, Luigi’s business partner was already in the fast food industry, they came together and DirtyGainzBurger was born.  The name of the business refers to a term used in the fitness world for a ‘cheat’ meal. ‘Dirty’ means high calories and ‘Gainz’ high protein food. The business was created based on Luigi’s passions: cooking, business, and fitness, and as a result, he enjoys every minute he is working on his own business venture.

DirtyGainz burgers have recently moved into a delivery kitchen, and they are working with delivery apps like Deliveroo. Luigi says that his business evolved naturally, and he has been able to apply the knowledge from his degree as well as his own research.

Luigi’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Luigi recommends that before people start their own business, they should gain some experience in the field of business they would like to start. He also suggests making a plan to account for not making a profit in the first 6 months whilst they build their reputation and gain customer loyalty. Luigi's most important words of advice are to think about what you are good at and enjoy and then how to turn that into a business.

 Website: https://www.instagram.com/dirtygainzburgeruk/

Falci Construction / Pamela Falci

What do you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Marketing 

When do you graduate: 2024 

Short story of your business: Falci Construction was launched in the UK 2 years ago. It is a family business run by Pamela and her husband. Both have family backgrounds in the construction industry in Brazil, but Pamela's husband is a Civil Engineer. Their construction company offers structural work such as extensions and loft and basement conversions. 

Pamela’s husband was keen to launch the business as before he was labouring in the UK, but as an experienced Civil Engineer, he was over-qualified. This pushed them to launch their business and they have not looked back since. Pamela explained that it was 100% the right decision at the right time and the business is growing from strength to strength. 

Their main projects have been in Central London, but they work within the M25 area. They use a website called Houzz to market their business, but other than that much of their work comes from word-of-mouth recommendations. 

Falci Constructions is on an upwards trajectory, it continues to grow and sustain an excellent reputation for its services. 

Pamela’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Do your research before you launch a business, but other than that if you have an in-demand product or service that you have a genuine passion for just go for it. It is normal to be nervous at first, but with perseverance, the hard work is well worth it! 

Website: https://falciconstruction.co.uk

FindMyData / Claudiu Cogalniceanu

What did you study: MBA Healthcare 

When did you graduate: 2019 

Short story of your business: FindMyData began its journey in July 2020, by Claudiu Cogalniceanu. 

“I was always curious and concerned about my personal information in the digital environment”, said Claudiu. “I always wondered how and why I had so many spam emails and scam attempts, and I started to question how these people obtained my personal data, and from where. I started researching, and finally, I got my answer: I found that companies shared and sold my personal information, and many times it was bought by scammers. This pushed me to search for a solution to stop getting scammed, and I finally found it. I tested the idea on myself, and after I saw that it worked and I actually started to get fewer and fewer spam and scam attempts, I saw the opportunity to share my idea and start helping people that face the same issues as I did.” 

FindMyData officially launched its privacy-enhancing service, mData, in October 2021, at a live-streamed event. 

FindMyData helps users track their personal information and see which companies have it, delete their data from organisations they don’t use or that obtained their info from sources other than directly from users, or even stop their information from being shared and sold. Through mData, users have access to the Scam Prevention Program (where they receive weekly notifications about the latest scams, learn how to protect against said scams, report a scam or seek advice regarding a potential scam) and Data Breach Report (where users receive monthly reports informing them if they have appeared in any known data breaches). 

Claudiu’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: “Start with a problem, not a solution in the search for a problem. If you or someone you know has a problem that is worth solving, go for it.” Claudiu also recommends bringing a cofounder to the business – “you will keep each other motivated and you will also have someone you can share ideas with, as well as get feedback”. 

Website: https://find-my-data.com 

If They Only Knew / Ted Lawlor

What did you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Marketing

When did you graduate: 2019

Short story of your business: If Only They Knew is a social media group that acts as the hub for young business minds, providing content to inform and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. It is also home of the iTunes Top 5 Podcast (also called If Only They Knew) which provides a platform for young people to share their stories and advice, and it has also featured candidates from BBC's The Apprentice and Dragon's Den as well as professional athletes.  

IOTK was born during Ted’s second year at university (2017) as a way for him to test his marketing skills and has evolved steadily ever since.  Recently, Ted won the Best Business Podcast of the Year award.  

Ted Lawlor also co-wrote The Manifestation Journal in 2021, a bestselling journal guided by the UK's Number 1 Unconscious Mind Therapist Robert Hisee, who was Ted’s former therapist when he struggled with his mental health. This part book/part journal aims to combat the current mental health crisis facing the UK, as it teaches the user to improve their own mental health and increase their productivity. It has been appreciated by hundreds of Brits, including some of the UK's most notable celebrities. 

Ted’s Words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: My advice for those thinking to start their own business would be to just get started, even if you have no idea what you're doing. When I first started IOTK in 2017 I had no plan, I just knew that if I never got started then I'd never have the chance to learn and grow. Just get started and be inquisitive then you'll find that everything will begin clicking into place. 

Website: https://www.ifonlytheyknewuk.com/ - https://www.manifestationjournal.co.uk/ 

Miss Caribbean UK / Jacqui Brown

What do you study: BSc (Hons) Business and Marketing

When do you graduate: July 2022

Short story of your business: Before her degree, Jacqui had always worked in businesses where there were events, and she played a part in organising them. Jacqui’s husband also works in events, between them they organised a very popular night called Masquerade Ball for 4 years as well as an online magazine for the Afro-Caribbean community. The magazine’s aim was to highlight what was going in the community and to celebrate good news. Revenue was generated from advertising, so it became self-funding. Unfortunately, as time went on, they were unable to compete with the likes of Facebook as the revenue streams dried up when people started to do their own marketing on social media for free.

In 2012 Jacqui started helping with beauty pageants. She supported event planning, marketing and sponsorship. Her husband visited Jamaica and called her after attending Miss Jamaica World, inspired for them to do something similar in the UK. The idea was to bring all of the Caribbean countries together and celebrate the heritage of the contestants, similar to Miss World, but for the Caribbean.

In 2014, Jacqui and her husband started Miss Caribbean UK, for British citizens with Caribbean heritage. Miss Barbados won, and she learned much about her heritage during the competition, even travelling to Barbados for a TV appearance after winning the title. Unlike other beauty pageants, Miss Caribbean UK is the only one that has gone national; they have regional heats in cities including Birmingham and Manchester with the grand final in London. Jacqui explained that they make it inclusive by giving all entrants that meet the application criteria the chance to compete in the grand finale. She says it is great to see how the contestants interact and support each other, and heart-warming to watch them learn about their heritage.

The ethos of Miss Caribbean UK supports learning, teamwork and positive mental health. Its strapline is ‘Positively Promoting the Caribbean’, and it spreads the good news about the community. It’s not just about a beauty pageant, it’s much deeper. Jacqui says by far the greatest success is when people who were involved come back as volunteer mentors to support the other contestants, she has had many of the winners do this. Jacqui and her husband started this to give something back to the community it has had a greater impact than they could ever imagine, which motivates them to continue.

After a couple of difficult years due to the pandemic, there is a final scheduled on 29th October 2022. The final is not just about beauty it is more of a variety show with music and comedians all from the Caribbean community.

The plan for the coming years is to carry on with two main annual events and to branch out to ‘carnival’ style events also.

Jacqui’s words of advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business: Starting a business is hard work, but you need to persevere and ensure you are in it for the long term. The first 3 years are the hardest, but you need to believe in yourself and go for it!

Website: https://www.misscaribbeanuk.com/

Fiona Belk

Experienced Human Resources Professional. Talent Development and Business Partner with a demonstrated history of working across a variety of industries including investment banking, energy and telecoms industry. Skilled in Training Programme Design, Executive Development, Performance Improvement, Career Development, and HR Consulting. Strong human resources professional with an academic background and qualifications in Coach Mentoring, Counselling and Psychology.