Hugo Shephard
Founder and Managing Director
Hugo is the Founder and Managing Director of Role Models. With a degree in Psychology and a background in consultancy, Hugo is at the helm of the Role Models growth and success.
What we do
We complement traditional academic education by delivering online & offline courses for 3-15 year olds that develop young peoples’ skills in leadership, confidence, resilience, creative problem solving, collaboration and growth mindset. These skills really impact the everyday lives of the young people we work with…
“It’s given her the opportunity to really think about what makes her different, why that’s ok and what she should feel proud and confident about. She is learning that she can control her mind. Hugely powerful and important for mental health.”
Why we do it
We started Role Models because we know that academic success alone is not enough to build tomorrow’s leaders. The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report explains how life skills are the most essential skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Even more importantly, we know the life skills we help children to develop are essential for them to be independent, happy and to grow into well-rounded adults. Every person needs these skills to thrive.
Who we work with
Our course content is ambitious, fun and engaging. It is developed by a team with many years of education, coaching and psychology expertise. We work with families and schools to ensure each young person is able to be the best version of themselves through delivering a range of courses for 5-15 year old children, both offline and online. Our courses combine active learning with serious fun.
Our Role Models
Our highly experienced team of Role Models are passionate about both education and social & emotional wellbeing. They’re energetic, engaging, and curious. They’re adept at combining educational rigour with fun, to create active learning environments that children love.
The young people we work with are excited to challenge themselves and learn new skills. They relish the chance to put those skills into practice, through interactive games, challenges and activities on our courses, and in their day to day lives.
Our mission
We come to work every day to positively impact and inspire a generation of young people around the world to be the best version of themselves.
Our vision
In the future, we will be the global leader in developing life skills, with the goal of transforming the lives of at least a million young people. Now, more than ever, the world needs people with the empathy, resilience and confidence to thrive.
Our Team Members
Louise Treherne
Director of Character Education
Louise is our Director of Character Education and uses her experience as a deputy head teacher and a qualified coach to create the content for our life skills products.
Sophie Lake
Director of Strategic Development
With a background in Hedge Funds, Sophie is driving the growth of the business both in the UK and Internationally.
Alexandra Ridgway
Head of Operations and Finance
Alexandra joined the Role Models team in May 2019, as Operations and Finance Executive and has now progressed to head of department. She is known as ‘the organised one’ so operations are her cup of tea.
Emily Birks
Client Services and Creative Childcare Manager
Emily joined the Role Models team in August 2018, acting as Client Service Manager. Emily heads up our Creative Childcare team and heads up Role Models recruitment.
Laura Kay
Character Education Team Manager
Laura is our Character Education Team Manager having joined Role Models in May 2021. She has over 12 years teaching experience and has also studied Psychodynamic Therapy, which she has used to enhance her practice working with both children and families.
Irene Labruna
Digital Marketing Intern
After studies in Arts and Design, she has left her motherland Italy to pursue her interests in child psychology and development.
James Knock
Growth Hacker
Over a 20 year career in digital media and marketing James Knock has rapidly scaled a variety of start-ups and SMEs, increasing revenues, building brands and growing online audiences from scratch to millions.
Liz McCarthy
Chief Marketing Officer
Liz is CMO for Role Models, leading the strategic marketing direction and integrated activation.
Michael Peake
Full-stack Developer
Michael joined the Role Models Team in January 2020 and is a fantastic addition. He makes sure your booking process runs as seamlessly as physically possible!
Ciaran O’Donnell
Finance Director
Ciaran is on a mission to help start-ups, entrepreneurs and fast-growing businesses. He is an award winning CFO/FD, working with fast growth companies since 2010.
Robert Hicks
Board Chairman
Robert has spent the previous 16 years as part of the founding team and as both Operations and then Managing Director of Explore Learning.
Guy Burnell
Board Member
Guy has spent his career working with early stage entrepreneurial businesses. He has over 20 years experience working in the UK and Europe as founder, MD, COO, investor and consultant.
Professor Bill Lucas
Advisory Board
Bill Lucas is Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning and Professor of Learning at the University of Winchester.
Tom Brooks
Advisory Board
Tom is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and mentor. He founded his first business at 12 years old and has started various businesses since, some more successful than others.
Robin Dyer
Advisory Board
Robin, the Headmaster of Ampleforth College and ex-Second Master at Wellington College, has a huge amount of experience both in the classroom and on the sports field.
Jane Lunnon
Advisory Board
Jane is now the first female Headmistress at Alleyn's School in London. She has a wealth of experience within education and a passion for developing soft skills in children.
