Our people

Oliver Haarmann is our Chair of Trustees. He is a Founding Partner at Searchlight Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Previously, he served as a Partner at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Ltd. (KKR) for 12 years. Before this, he worked for various firms in the investment industry in the United States and Europe. He received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1996 and has a dual B.A. in History and International Relations from Brown University.

Olivia Carter joined us in April 2021. Olivia has an English Literature degree from The University of Leeds. Previously, she worked in a Primary school as pastoral support and on a homelessness campaign in Bradford.

Olivia Purvis joined us in August 2022. Olivia has a BA and MA in English Literature from the University of Cambridge. Previously, she worked as a Resident Tutor at a boarding school.

Pasha Michaelsen helps organisations design and deliver social justice strategies in the areas of migration and education. She was head of operations for Refugee Education UK, which supports refugee and asylum-seeking young people to build more hopeful futures through education and is vice-chair of Praxis, which provides holistic support to migrants across London. Previously, Pasha was a finance solicitor.

Patricia Mbangui joined us in August 2021. Patricia has a degree in English Literature from the University of Warwick and completed the Teach First Programme as a Maths teacher in 2018. She previously worked as a Head of Region for CoachBright.

Patrick Middleton joined us in August 2021. Patrick has a degree in Medieval and Modern Languages from the University of Oxford. Previously Patrick was an Intern at Church of England (St Aldates Church) and a Tutor at Yingyixuan Educational Company.

Phill Evans joined us in August 2022. Phill has a degree in Psychology from Manchester Metropolitan University where he volunteered as a WP Ambassador.

Poppy Asker joined us in July 2022. Poppy studied Politics at the University of York and has previously worked as a Student Ambassador and a Research Assistant in the experiences of care-experienced young people.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah is President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester. Born and educated in Sri Lanka, he is a double Cambridge graduate and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol. Nishan has been appointed to a number of national roles including being a member of the UUK advisory group to tackle racial harassment in higher education.

Dr Rachel Carr is the Chief Executive and co-founder of IntoUniversity. Previously, she was a university lecturer and Head of an English Department. She has over 20 years’ experience working with children and young people.

Reece Laporte-Francis joined us in August 2022. Reece has a degree in Criminology from Middlesex University and previously worked as a Teaching Assistant.

Rhiannon Brunt joined us in September 2021. She has a degree in Education and Psychology from the University of Southampton. Rhiannon is also a Learning Support Assistant at a local Primary School and was previously a University Student Mentor for the Southampton centre.