Nathan is our CEO. He works with Trustees and the Executive team supporting The Access Project to set and fulfil its strategic goals.

Nathan’s most recent roles have been within charities focussed on improving life chances for young people. He has been responsible for programme design and scale-up in senior roles at The Challenge Network, Starfish and Frontline. He moved to the third sector from a successful career in the civil service, including serving as the Programme Director responsible for National Citizen Service (NCS) — the coalition Government’s flagship youth programme.

Suzanne is the Volunteering Director at The Access Project.

Emily is Programme Director at The Access Project. Previously she worked on setting up National Citizenship Service programmes for Twin Group and The Challenge. She has a degree in English Literature and Politics from the University of Liverpool.

Lynne is Senior Operations Coordinator, providing finance, HR and office support.

She has worked for a variety of organisations in HR & training roles and also spent four years tutoring adult learners in IT and office admin skills.

Alisa is our Data & Insights Coordinator (0.6) and a Volunteer Experience Coordinator (0.4). 

She previously worked for a charity in Glasgow supporting disadvantaged children engage with education. Alisa studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University after which she worked in cell biology research at the University of Edinburgh.

Sophia is Head of Programme Development at The Access Project. 

Her previous roles have included developing Peer Assisted Learning and academic writing programmes for undergraduate students.

She has a degree in English Language and Communication from Kingston University.

Holly is our Impact Manager, University Readiness. 

Prior to this she completed a PhD looking at health, gender and the body in contemporary American fiction at Ghent University, Belgium. In 2017, she was a Visiting Scholar with the School of Critical Studies at the California Institute for the Arts, Los Angeles. She developed an interest in improving access to higher education in her previous role working as a Learning Support Assistant at a large London secondary school. 

She also holds an MA in Comparative Literary Studies from Goldsmiths University, and a BA in American Studies from the University of Nottingham.

Tom is Head of Programme Quality at The Access Project.

Tom has an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Manchester, and comes to us from IntoUniversity where he led the team at their centre in Bow, East London.

Lauren is our Insight & Evaluation Manager.

Prior to joining The Access Project, Lauren managed impact evaluations for a range of organisations, producing insights to help inform local and regional decision-making.

She has an MA in Social Research from University of Birmingham. 

Cheryl is our Operations Manager & Deputy Child Protection Officer as part of Operations Team, providing recruitment, HR and office support.

Cheryl studied English Literature at Roehampton University and has gone on to work in various professional services roles including Business Development and Project Management for both private and public sectors. She is currently training towards a Psychotherapy M.A and is passionate about helping people to reach their full potential.

Riaz is our Systems Manager.

He has previously worked as a Salesforce Administrator in the charity industry.

Emily is the Operations Co-ordinator at The Access Project. She helps keep things running smoothly behind the scenes, helping out with recruitment, staff on-boarding, off-boarding and general operations.

She has a Degree in Business Management from the University of Surrey and is currently setting up her own fashion company! Emily was awarded the Overall Contribution to the Business School on Graduation Day, and did the first ever Graduate speech at University of Surrey.

Jennifer is the Policy and Safeguarding Manager/ Child Protection Officer.

She previously taught English as a foreign language in Vietnam, and was a manager in a centre of a tuition company. She is also a Volunteer Childline Counsellor. Jennifer has a degree in History from the University of Manchester and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Derby.

Alice is the Head of University Partnerships at The Access Project. She leads on developing and sustaining our partnerships with universities so we can reach more young people.

Before joining The Access Project, Alice has worked in a range of roles across the education sector. Most recently at UCL where she developed programmes to raise attainment of Pre 16 pupils underrepresented in higher education. Prior to UCL Alice spent 4 years working at Teach First, recruiting students and graduates for the teacher training programme and training Careers Leaders in schools.

Alice studied a Psychology degree at Newcastle University.

Contact Alice

Alison is the Corporate Partnerships Manager. She develops and maintains partnerships with companies to secure income for the organisation, and engages corporate staff to support young people through volunteering.

Prior to joining the Partnerships team, Alison has had a variety of experience in frontline retail sales roles and most recently was a key member of the buying team for the charity PDSA, during which she gained experience of building effective internal and external relationships in order to drive the income of the bought-in new goods range.

Alison has a BA in History with History of Art & Design from the University of Wolverhampton.

Contact Alison

Sam Gough is the Head of Communications at The Access Project. He leads on communicating the work that the charity does to audiences through a multitude of channels.

Emma is Partnerships Manager at The Access Project.

Emma’s previous roles have included project and bid management in an international development
company, focusing on the health sector.

Emma has a degree in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying from the University of
Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Adam is a Senior University Access Officer and UAO Lead Diversity & Inclusion. 

Adam holds a Law degree and an MA in International Law, Ethics and Politics from the University of Birmingham. Before joining The Access Project Adam supported several research projects in Birmingham Law School. He has experience in the higher education and the third sector.

Amy is a University Access Officer at The Access Project.

Amy has a BA in Politics with International Relations from the University of York, and recently completed an MA in Applied Human Rights.

She previously volunteered as a Mentor at Refugee Action York, supporting her mentee through the University application process. In past jobs, she has led volunteers to deliver human rights workshops in schools and has worked on a project at the University of York on access to university and scholarships for people seeking asylum.

Amy has also worked with organisations such as the York Human Rights City Network and the York Poverty Truth Commission as a researcher.

Farena is a University Access Office based at Dixons Cottingley Academy in West Yorkshire.

Farena completed her Combined Honours degree in Archaeology and Sociology from the University of Liverpool. After that she was awarded a museum traineeship at Bradford Museums and Galleries. As part of her traineeship, Farena completed her Masters in Art Gallery and Museum Studies at the University of Manchester.

She continued her career in museums as an Education Assistant at Harrogate Museums and Arts. After a career break, Farena retrained as a primary school teacher and has worked in various Bradford schools. In her spare time Farena enjoys writing and illustrating children’s books.

Rachel is the  Senior Programme Manager (non-London) at The Access Project.​ Prior to this, Rachel was Programme Manager East Midlands & Quality Assurance Coordinator (QAC – University Readiness).​

Rachel’s former career was as an English teacher for 13 years. During that time she was Achievement Leader for Year 11 and completed the NCSL Leadership Pathways qualification. Rachel holds a PGCE in English from The University of Nottingham and obtained a degree in Literature, Life and Thought from Liverpool John Moores University.

Victoria is a University Access Officer based at Carshalton High School for Girls and The Norwood School in London.

Before joining The Access Project Victoria worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Germany. She holds a DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry from the University of Oxford and a MSci in Chemistry with Molecular Physics from Imperial College London.

Adam is a University Access Officer & Quality Assurance Champion – (Tuition), London at Bishop Douglass School and Hornsey School for Girls. He previously worked as a PhD Tutor at The Brilliant Club and Programme Officer at UCL AnthroSchools.

Adam completed his undergraduate degree in Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge before doing his Master’s and PhD in Anthropology at UCL, examining the local social impacts of tiger conservation in central India. 

Anna is a University Access Officer at St Thomas More School in London. 

Prior to this, she has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Academic Mentor in Tower Hamlets.

She has performed and led workshops in educational institutions throughout East Asia and Europe and continues to participate in arts access work as part of the Old Vic’s Education and Community Advice Board.

Anna studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge.

Dan is the University Access Officer at Chelsea Academy.

Georgie is the University Access Officer for Kensington Aldridge Academy and South Bank University Academy. 

Sara is our Deputy Director of Programme and Impact. Prior to becoming a Programme Manager, she worked as a University Access Officer for two years, delivering the programme in two of our schools.

Her previous roles have included teaching English as a second language, along with mentoring for youth charities.

She has a degree in English Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Sussex.

Will is a Senior Programme Officer at The Access Project.

His previous roles include time spent as a part time volunteer tutor for a refugee charity, as well as a placement in Kenya where he delivered a series of social mobility programmes. Most recently he worked for international young person’s education charity Never Such Innocence, managing the organisation’s international education programme and creative arts competition that invited young people to reflect on conflict.

Will holds a degree in Human Geography from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Holly is our London Programme Manager. 

Prior to joining our team, Holly has worked in diverse roles including as a foreign language assistant for the British Council and as an Event Coordinator.

Holly holds a degree in Politics and French from the University of Bristol and a Master of Public Policy from King’s College London. She specialised in European integration and has a keen interest in education policy.

Olivia is a Programme Manager in London.

Previously, she was a Senior University Access Officer at George Green’s School for 2 years. Olivia studied a BA in Media, Culture and Society with 1 year studying abroad in the Czech Republic.

Rubinder is our Online Tuition Manager and Tuition Quality Assurance Coordinator.

In her previous role, Rubinder acted as a leadership coach and mentor for qualifying and newly qualified teachers.

Rubinder holds a PGCE in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and obtained a degree in Economics and Management from Aston University.

Sobia is a University Access Officer in West Yorkshire.

Sobia previously worked as a Primary School teacher. She completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education in Leeds.

Sobia is passionate about charity work, and has volunteered to support homelessness organisations, soup kitchens, sports classes, and youth work with under-represented communities.

Abbey is the Senior Volunteer Experience Coordinator at The Access Project. Her career focus has been education, moving into the charities sector after teaching English as a foreign language and supporting educational programmes in Japan and Italy.

Abbey first studied English and Italian at the University of St Andrews. More recently, she completed an MA in Comparative Education from UCL Institute of Education.

Isla is a Volunteer Experience Coordinator (maternity cover) at The Access Project. 

Her career focus has so far been in education and working with children. She has previously worked abroad teaching English, and has experience working with charities to improve child development. She holds a BA in Geography from the University of York and an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester.

Alafia is a Volunteer Experience Coordinator at The Access Project. 

She previously worked in the education sector, focussing on inclusion and pastoral care, before joining The Access Project. Alafia holds a BA Hons in History and Politics and an MSc in Development Management. 

Mary is the Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator at The Access Project. She has worked and volunteered with numerous charities.

Since returning to the UK from New Zealand, she was working with the Alzheimer’s Society as Side by Side Coordinator where she managed and coordinated the volunteers. Prior to this she also worked in education supporting students with their Career & Progression options.

Becky is a maternity cover for the Volunteer Experience Coordinator position at The Access Project. 

She has previous experience in the charity sector and has spent the last two years working as the Programme Director at the World Scout Centre in Switzerland. She holds a degree in Education Studies from Anglia Ruskin University.

Michaela is the Volunteering Experience Manager at The Access Project.

She has previously worked in a similar role for a charity helping young offenders to resettle in the community upon release from prison and ultimately reduce re-offending.

Michaela has a BSc in Criminology and Sociology from Royal Holloway University of London.