Our people

Poppy Young joined us in July 2026. Poppy studied Nursing (Mental Health) at Northumbria University and has previously worked in children’s mental health services.

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.

Rabiah Ali joined us in February 2026. Rabiah has a BA in History and an MA in History (Empires and Global History) from University College London. She has previously worked as an English Tutor and a UCL Transition Mentor.

Rachel Bailie joined us in July 2023. Rachel studied Law at the University of Bristol and completed a PGCE at the University of Durham. Rachel previously worked as a class teacher and House parent.

Dr Rachel Carr is the Chief Executive and co-founder of IntoUniversity. Rachel has over twenty years of experience working with children and young people in the voluntary sector. Rachel began devising the IntoUniversity programme in 2002 to address the barriers preventing young people facing disadvantage reaching their potential. Before setting up IntoUniversity, Rachel was a university lecturer and ran an English Literature Department for five years. She has a PhD in 19th Century English Literature.

Ramya Nadig joined us in September 2025. She has an MSc in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences from the University of Dundee and a B.Tech in Biotechnology from the Manipal Institute of Technology in India. She has previously worked in a variety of roles focused on supporting others and fostering inclusion, including conducting computer science sessions for school students in India, working as a Research Intern at Science Gallery Bengaluru, and serving as a Resident Support Assistant and Peer Connector for international students at the University of Dundee. She has also worked in museums such as V&A Dundee and Dundee Contemporary Arts, welcoming school groups and families, and most recently as a Marketing and Content Creation Intern at Office Mango.

Rayan Abdi joined us in July 2024. Rayan has a degree in Psychology from Nottingham Trent University. Previously, they worked as an Outreach Ambassador for the Centre for Student and Community Engagement at Nottingham Trent University.

Bex Kerr joined us in February 2026. Bex has a degree in English and History from the University of Nottingham, and a Master’s degree in International Security and Terrorism from the University of Nottingham. She has previously taught students excluded from mainstream education and English as a second language, and has volunteered with the youth-led charity SolidariTee since 2019, fundraising for legal aid for refugees.

Rebecca Walker joins us in January 2025 as an Education Worker in London. Rebecca has an undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature from King's College London and a Masters in Comparative Literature from University College London. Rebecca has worked as a student mentor at King’s College London and as an English Language Assistant with the British Council. Rebecca has also worked as an administrator in the public sector.

Rhiannon Jeffs joined us in April 2024. Rhiannon is studying for a degree in Theatre at the University of Chichester. Previously, she worked as a backstage hand at Trinity Theatre, a Junior Ensemble Director and as an Acting Teacher at TheatreTrain.

Rishi Jindal joined us in August 2020. Rishi studied Ancient History at the University of Durham. He previously volunteered with CATSS (Children Achieving Through Student Support), taking children and young people who may otherwise not get the opportunity, on day trips and residential trips.

Rory Brooks CBE founded the private equity group, MML Capital, in 1988. He is the Chairman of the Quintessentially Foundation. His family philanthropic engagements span poverty research, social justice, higher education and contemporary art.