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.

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.

Rachel Kelly

Operations Executive

Rachel joined the team in June 2021 as an Operations Executive after a background of working for an education charity.

George Dean

People and Operations Executive

George joined the team in June 2021 as our People and Operations Executive. He’s the first point of call for all our Role Models.

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. 

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.