Our people

David Ellis joined us in August 2019. David has a degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford and previously worked as a English language teaching assistant in France.

Denise Hombiro joined us in January 2023. Denise studied for her Law LLB and LLMs at the University of Manchester, and has previous experience as senior mentor with NCS the Challenge.

Denise was a corporate finance lawyer in the City, before assuming executive roles in retail and professional services. Until recently, she was Chair of the University of York, through which she has taken a keen interest in the establishment of IntoUniversity centres in the East of England. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of Reach plc, Topps Tiles, and a Trustee of the National Trust.

Dolly Kippax-Jones joined us in August 2022. Dolly has a degree in History and Politics from the University of Edinburgh and previously worked at Teach First.

Donovan Kirkwood joined us in July 2022. Donovan has a degree in Education from the University of Roehampton. Previously, he worked for universities as a Schools and Colleges Engagement Officer and School Liaison Outreach Team Leader and as a Graduate Advisor at Greater Manchester Higher.

Elizabeth Hughes joined us in August 2019. Elizabeth has a degree in Psychology from the University of Liverpool and was previously a volunteer at our North Liverpool Centre.

Ella Byng joined us in August 2022. Ella has a degree in Sociology from the University of Exeter. Previously, she was a Peer Mentor and has volunteered with SEND Primary school students at a charity care farm. She has also completed an internship with a local community trust, as a Charity Development Assistant.

Ella Canton joined us in January 2022. Ella studied Politics at the University of Durham. Ella previously worked as a Teaching Assistant and Outreach Politics teacher, and has also has worked for a number of organisations teaching English online to both adults and children.

Ella Rowley joined us in September 2025. She has a BA in French and Spanish from the University of Bristol. She has previously worked as a Student Ambassador during her time at university and for a French not-for-profit that organises language exchanges during her year abroad.

Ella Smith joined us in August 2025. Ella has an undergraduate degree in Ancient History from the University of Durham. She has previously worked as a Learning Support Assistant and a Senior Course Assistant.

Ella Thornton joined us in October 2025. Ella studied Education at the University of East Anglia. She previously interned at the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts and has experience working as a Learning Support Assistant in a large Secondary school, as well as in alternative education spaces such as museums, botanic gardens, and a playscheme for children with complex needs.

Elleis Peters joined us in January 2021. She has a Human Resource Management and Marketing degree from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Before graduating, Elleis worked as a Widening Access Mentor at Focus West and was a Marketing Intern for the Student RAG Magazine.