Our people

Lucy Tolhurst joined us in July 2023. Lucy studied Film, Photography and Media at the University of Leeds and previously worked as a Learning Support Assistant.

Lucy Townsend joined us in July 2024. Lucy has a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath and previously worked as an Outreach Ambassador at the University of Bath.

Luke Francis joined us in January 2018. Luke is our Student Opportunities Manager ( Big City Bright Future and Student Associate Network) and Luke has a degree in History from Loughborough University. Previously, he worked as a tutor for Explore Learning and was our Centre Leader in Hackney Downs.

Lydia Galbraith joined us in July 2023. Lydia studied English at University of Ulster and previously worked as a SEND Teaching Assistant.

Madeeha Aziz joined us in July 2024. Madeeha has a degree in Youth Work and Communities from Birmingham City University, where she was also an Academic Mentor and Mental Health Researcher. Madeeha has worked in several charitable organisations, including the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation and the Springfield Project.

Mai Muschamp joins us in January 2025 as an Education Worker in London. Mai has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Manchester. Mai has previously volunteered for the Father Ray Foundation as an English teacher. She has also worked in the hospitality sector and as a freelance digital content creator.

Mairead Pentland joined us in April 2024. Mairead has a degree in Social Sciences (Politics and Sociology) from the University of Manchester. Previously, she worked as a Primary Teaching Assistant and volunteered as an Mentor with ReachOut.

Marcus Sewell joined us in January 2025. Marcus has an undergraduate degree in International relations and Politics from the University of Northumbria (Newcastle). He has previously worked as a sports coach at Magpie Sports and Corbridge Cricket Club.

Marcus Watkins joined us in August 2022. Marcus has a degree in Biology, a Masters in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement and a PGCE from the University of Exeter.

Margaret Spiers joined us in December 2024 as our Head of People and Culture. Margaret has a degree in Theology from the University of Southampton and a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management from the University of East London. Margaret has over 25 years experience of working in human resources and development roles across a number of charities, and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Martha Galsworthy joins us in July 2024. Martha has an undergraduate degree in Classics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Student Ambassador. They have also previously worked in retail and volunteered with Girlguiding North West.

Maya Doolan joined us in January 2024. Maya has a degree in International Development from the University of East Anglia. Previously they worked as a Teaching Assistant and Nanny.