Marketing and Admissions Conference 2024
Future Facing Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Tom Rogerson has been working in the independent school sector for 33 years and is about to enter his 17th year of Headship at Cottesmore School.
Tom’s vision for Cottesmore is to combine Cottesmore's 127-year story of academic and sporting excellence with a fresh and dynamic vision to ensure that Cottesmore continues to deliver a future-driven world-class education to prep-school-aged girls and boys.
As an early adopter of AI in education, Tom has led the way in exploring how it can be used to remove some of the more admin-type tasks from teachers, freeing up more of their time to spend with the children.
Session Title: Crossing the Technology Bridge – What’s in Your Digital Backpack?
Rachell Fox is an accomplished senior marketing and communications professional with extensive experience of brand development, strategy setting and delivery of effective campaigns. She has worked in both the private and public sector, having spent a lot of her career in commercial radio, at the BBC and working for national charities before joining the education sector seven years ago.
As Director of Communications, Marketing & Development at Channing, Rachell spends her time raising awareness of the school’s distinctive ethos, growing demand for the school amongst prospective families, dispelling myths about all-girls’ education and independent schools and strengthening the bonds between former students and the school.
Session Title: Dancing in a storm - what Taylor Swift can teach us.
Described by FORBES magazine as ‘A Game Changer’ Geoff Ramm is an inspirational keynote speaker and the creator and author of Celebrity Service and Celebrity Service Superstars.
He’s challenged and inspired entrepreneurs, high performance teams and organisations across forty-nine countries to create award winning ideas to outperform the competition.
Geoff is trusted by some of the world’s leading brands to create the gap in their service experience they never knew existed. Including Emirates, Warner Brothers, Specsavers and McDonalds.
Session Title: Building great experiences for future facing parents and pupils with 'Celebrity Service'
With 20 years’ experience of collaboration and fundraising, Rachael Henshilwood now runs all partnership and development activity at St Edward’s School, Oxford having worked for leading schools and charities across the UK and Australia. As a proud state educated girl, she is driven to try to readdress paradigms of inequality within education by breaking down barriers, challenging preconceived ideas and creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and learning for all.
Teddies growing partnerships and embedded service program ‘Teddies Collaborates’ provides exciting and innovative marketing and fundraising opportunities that Rachael looks forward to sharing with us.
Session Title: ‘Teddies Collaborates’
Claire Bath is a seasoned External Relations professional with a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and building impactful relationships. As External Relations Director at Strathallan School she plays a pivotal role in shaping the image and reputation of the organisation while spearheading marketing efforts that resonate with target audiences.
With over 20 years of experience in the field of marketing and communications, Claire has honed her expertise across various industries, including education, hospitality and non-profit sectors. Her career is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections.
Driven by a passion for innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence, Claire continues to be a driving force in the realm of External Relations, inspiring those around her with her vision, leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Session Title: Game-changing: a future-facing marketing strategy
Helen Lewis-McPhee is an accomplished marketer with a background in publishing and almost a decade experience in the independent education sector. Currently serving as Marketing Manager at Strathallan School, Helen has been instrumental in driving innovative, cross-platform marketing initiatives, enhancing brand visibility, and designing meaningful multimedia campaigns that resonate with a disparate range of audiences. In her role, she oversees a wide range of responsibilities and is the architect of the award-winning strategy that has helped deliver consistent growth in enrolment over the last four years.
With an MA in Psychology and an MLitt in Publishing Studies, Helen brings a wealth of insight and industry expertise into crafting and implementing strategic marketing initiatives that foster growth and deliver success in the competitive landscape of independent education.
Session Title: Game-changing: a future-facing marketing strategy
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Christina Adamopoulou is a seasoned marketing leader with a wealth of experience crafting marketing strategies and executing digital campaigns, she has led high-performing teams to deliver marketing campaigns focusing on business growth successfully.
Christina brings eight years of experience in the education sector, where she has played a pivotal role in collaborating with Admissions teams and senior stakeholders, orchestrating successful events that prioritize customer experience, and facilitating the conversion of prospective families into enrollments. Her approach is the execution of highly effective marketing campaigns, meticulously focused on delivering tangible results and driving enrollment growth.
Workshop Title: School Open Days - A masterclass in delivering enrolment success.
Nellie Bailey is an experienced Admissions professional with a demonstrated history of working in the enrollment management industry, Nellie has spent the last 20 years at TASIS England. She has worn many hats beyond admissions, including classroom teaching, high school advising, committee membership, and parenting three current high school-aged children. As an American living in the UK, she has faced many challenges that families find when moving countries and searching for a new school home, and her knowledge of cultural awareness and expectations is exceptional. Known for being compassionate, warm, and highly responsive to all needs around assisting families in transition and student enrollment, Nellie strives to ensure students and parents feel supported in connecting to their new community. A regular contributor to marketing outreach efforts and promotion of the school and all associated programs, she has successfully helped to re-invent the TASIS England Open Mornings. Nellie has a BA in psychology and a Master of Professional Studies in Special Education and Reading Education K-12.
Workshop Title: School Open Days - A masterclass in delivering enrolment success.
Sarah Secker-Barker is an experienced school marketer with 10+ years in the school marketing sector. A degree in branding was followed by a corporate career allowing her to understand the need for detail and organisation and how relationship building is key in boosting the power of a small team.
Sarah worked in a successful independent Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for nearly a decade as Marketing Manager, PA to the Headmaster and Office Manager. She spearheaded a full rebranding effort, introduced social media marketing strategies, and successfully executed pupil recruitment campaigns.
In her current role as Head of Marketing at Edgeborough Prep School, Sarah continues to apply her expertise and passion for marketing to support the school's growth and reputation.
Workshop Title: Impact in Focus: The Dynamics of Small Team Collaboration.
Carolyn Reed is the founder of Reed Brand Communication, a bespoke marketing
consultancy specialising in schools and education. Reed Brand Communication advises schools on:
- Research to inform strategy,
- Strategic workshops and direction for Governors and SLT
- Brand communication including podcasts
- PR for Change Management
- Identity Design
She also advises schools on developing and marketing their Nursery and Earlier Year
provision through ‘Your Independent School Nursery’ consultancy with Katie Cardona.
Carolyn is a member of D&AD, RSA and the Market Research Society and Chairs the
Governors Marketing Committee at The Granville Prep School in Sevenoaks, Kent.
Workshop Title: Unlocking the Future: The Role of Early Years in Shaping Your School
Katie Cardona is a Consultant with Reed Brand Communication, a bespoke marketing
consultancy specialising in schools and education. Katie’s expertise includes Research and Insight (she is a member of the MRS), Strategy and Planning, Brand Communication, PR and Copywriting.
She also advises schools on developing and marketing their Nursery and Earlier Year
provision through ‘Your Independent School Nursery’ consultancy with Carolyn Reed, is a
regular contributor to Independent School Management magazine and frequently speaks at
schools’ conferences.
She is also Chair of Governors at Rydes Hill Preparatory School and Nursery in Guildford.
Workshop Title: Unlocking the Future: The Role of Early Years in Shaping Your School
With over 22 years experience in school marketing and admissions, Catalina Gardescu currently heads the Admissions, Communications and Marketing at Copenhagen International School in Denmark. In her work at CIS and previously at AIS Bucharest, Catalina’s portfolio includes parent interviews, admissions projections, publications and communications, parent relations, fundraising, alumni relations and strategic marketing. She is part of the leadership team of the school and helps create the school budget, marketing and communication strategies, as well as participates in strategy building.
Over the past 20 years, Catalina has been actively involved in creating the first-ever ECIS Admissions Committee, Open Apply admissions workshops – of which she designed and led Admissions Certification Courses in Shanghai, Singapore and Sofia - founded the International Admissions Bulletin (currently published by Open Apply) and continues to support the profession in any way she can.
Workshop Title: Crafting a Data Protection Blueprint: Empowering Schools for GDPR Success
Laura Amza heads the IT Department at the American International School of Bucharest. Laura is a certified Data Protection Officer - Maastricht University (2020; recertified 2022), a certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and a certified Information Privacy Professional / Europe (CIPP/E) - International Association of Privacy Professionals (2018). Laura holds a Masters Degree in Information Technology from the International University of Applied Sciences (2023). As a part of her Masters thesis she developed a framework that supports the implementation of a Data Protection Culture in schools.
Laura has extended experience aligning technology to the organization's mission, creating technology strategy, and directing its implementation. Laura is interested in exploring new developments in technology, understanding how they can support us in facing the complexities of tomorrow and bringing on board what is useful.
Workshop Title: Crafting a Data Protection Blueprint: Empowering Schools for GDPR Success
Daryll Middleton brings with him over 13 years of experience in the education sector. His journey began at School Website, where he honed his skills. He then went on to establish Teacheroo, the largest education job network in the UK, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Currently, as the Sales Director at Ubiq Education, he has come full circle back to the realm of websites.
Throughout his career, Daryll has gained an in-depth understanding of school marketing, fortified by his time working with School Website and Teacheroo. His diverse experience also encompasses a strong commercial background, further enriching his perspective. This unique blend of expertise places him in a prime position to offer robust support to schools of all sizes and types.
Workshop Title: The Future of School Web Experiences: Exceed Audience Expectations
Brendan Rodgers is a marketer with circa 15 years of creative, brand, and marketing experience - working alongside organisations of all kinds, from major technology brands including Adobe, Intel and eBay to startups, creative agencies and technology companies, to small nonprofits such as Nerve Tumours UK.
Today, as UBIQ’s Marketing Director, Brendan is helping UBIQ support more schools than ever before, level up their marketing presences, and deliver best-in-class personalisation for parents, children. Afterall, if the commercial world can reap the benefits of grade A experiences, why can’t schools?
Workshop Title: Atomic Content Strategies for School Teams
Gretlin Aumre is a multi-disciplined marketing leader with a track record of success in the education and technology sectors. Gretlin brings a wealth of expertise in crafting innovative marketing solutions tailored to the unique needs of diverse clientele.
Gretlin started her career at School Website, founded by UBIQ CEO Dan Clarke, and has returned to the fold as Services Director for UBIQ. She brings deep experience through digital leadership and production across multiple agencies, and multinational technology company Ceros.
Workshop Title: Atomic Content Strategies for School Teams
Simon Jones began his career as a Marketing Manager in the corporate world but his passion for school marketing led him to launch Bonjour in 2012. He started by helping school marketing teams with photography projects, expanded to school marketing videos in 2016, then embraced podcasting in 2020.
Outside of work Simon is a father of two and has an insanely positive outlook on life (not even kidding). He maintains a healthy lifestyle and aims for three gym sessions a week. In his downtime, he enjoys listening to podcasts like 'Feel Better, Live More,' 'The Rest is Entertainment,' and the ever-popular 'Diary of a CEO.'
Workshop Title: How to start your own school podcast in 5 simple steps
Steve Hunt boasts over 30 years of experience in the marketing sector, including 23 years at the helm of his successful marketing and brand agency. A true enthusiast for digital innovation, Steve transformed the concept of Unify into a pioneering marketing automation tool.
Today, Unify's software is utilized not only by hundreds of schools but also within the global banking sector. As technology rapidly evolves, Steve and his team are at the forefront, exploring cutting-edge strategies to enhance digital personalisation in the marketing landscape.
Driven by a commitment to revolutionise the way marketers connect with their audience, Steve is dedicated to leveraging digital personalisation to create more engaging and impactful marketing experiences.
Workshop Title: From Invisible to Unforgettable: Harnessing the Power of Unpredicted Marketing
Sophy Walker is the Director of Communications, Marketing & Admissions at the award-winning New Hall School in Essex. Recently CEO of Marketing 4 Success, her own marketing consultancy, she brought together over 20 years of experience as a Director of Marketing & Admissions at both Felsted School and Royal Hospital School. Sophy's deep passion for the independent education sector drives her mission to empower fellow marketing and admissions professionals, helping them to showcase their schools. Her expertise, combined with a forward-thinking approach to AI, positions her perfectly to guide others in embracing AI for everyday marketing & sales success.
Workshop Title: Embracing AI: The School Marketer's New Best Friend
The no-nonsense Agency Owner who tells it like it is! With over 10 years experience within Sales and Marketing for the Education and B2B Sectors, Jade Arnell is well-versed in what works and what doesn’t when it comes to marketing and building an audience.
With over 25,000 followers on Linkedin, the UK’s most Rebellious Marketeer isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and give honest, open advice and guidance to Head Teachers, Senior Leadership Teams & Entrepreneurs on how to market their brands in the right way to get real, measurable results.
Jade has grown Rebellion Marketing, with no initial investment to a successful 7-figure business within just 2 years, following the same strategies and techniques she now shares with Rebellion’s many clients.
Workshop Title: Staying Ahead in Education: Navigating the Competitive Landscape
Chloe Pestell, Education Sector Director at Rebellion Marketing. With over two decades of experience in delivering impactful marketing and PR solutions across diverse industries, Chloe brings a wealth of strategic expertise and an acute eye for design and detail to our team.
Embracing the latest trends and technologies, Chloe stays at the forefront of the digital realm, ensuring that Rebellion Marketing remains ahead of the curve in delivering innovative solutions to our clients in the education sector. Her skill set encompasses a wide array of disciplines, including brand strategy and design, SEO, social media management, campaign and content creation, graphic design, film, event management, and media relations.
Workshop Title: Staying Ahead in Education: Navigating the Competitive Landscape
Elisa Linley is currently Head of Marketing at The Portsmouth Grammar School.
Collaborating with the Head and Head of the Junior School her role is to enhance the school's reputation, increase admissions, and engage with the wider community. Elisa manages the marketing function, overseeing the creative direction, digital marketing, publicity, and external communications of the school. Before joining PGS, Elisa’s previous experience was in the retail and consumer sector with Land Securities delivering successful projects, events, and campaigns, she has used this experience to promote the excellence and diversity of the school's educational offerings.
Workshop Title: Breaking Down the Rebrand Experience
