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Meet the team
Our friendly team are based across the UK and work in close collaboration with schools and colleges to provide opportunities for students and support progression to higher education.
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Fred Binley
Head of UK Student Recruitment and Widening Participation
Pronouns: he/him
I’ve worked in admissions, student recruitment and widening participation roles at universities throughout the UK since 2005. As a former Lancaster student, it’s a real honour to lead our UK Student Recruitment and Widening Participation team and enthuse the next generation of students to consider Lancaster University for their studies.
BMus Music, 2004, Lancaster University (Cartmel College)
Student Recruitment (North)
Nichola Mason
Student Recruitment Officer (North West: Lancashire and Cheshire)
Pronouns: she/her
I am responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with schools and colleges across Lancashire and Cheshire. An integral part of my role is working with young people offering advice and guidance on their progression pathways towards studying for a degree at university. Previously, I worked with school partnerships within Further Education and it was here I experienced how valuble accesible and supportive information/guidance is when suporting young people's progression beyond sixth form/college.
BA Hons Primary Education, 2008, University of Cumbria
Kirk Wadsworth
Student Recruitment Officer (North West: Lancashire and Greater Manchester)
I primarily look after schools and colleges in the North West regions of Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Previously I worked in boarding schools for over 10 years and liasied closely with teachers, students and parents putting me in a good position to offer advice and guidance on the university landscape and where Lancaster sits within UK university options. After serving 7 years in the Royal Engineers, I returned to education teaching PE in high school and was head of boarding before joining the team at Lancaster.
BA Hons Sport Science, 1998, Bangor University
Elle Zientek
Student Recruitment Officer (Yorkshire & Humber, North East)
Pronouns: she/her
I primarily act as the key contact for schools and colleges in the North East and Yorkshire & Humber regions. In this role I also deliver presentations and attend events such as HE Fairs to support students with their progression into higher education. I also have an additional role at the University, as a College Adviser for Lonsdale College, whereby I provide pastoral support to current Lancaster students during their time at the University.
BA Hons English Language & Linguistics, 2018, Lancaster University (The County College)
Callum Gough
Student Recruitment & Events Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him
I support on and off campus events for schools and colleges, as well as assisting my colleagues in all regions developing captivating activities both in-person and virtually. Furthermore, I analyse various data to determine the effectiveness of our recruitment activity.
BA Hons Business with International Management, 2017, Northumbria University
George Johnson
Student Recruitment Assistant (Northern Ireland)
Pronouns: he/him
As a Student Recruitment Assistant, I travel up and down the UK to visit schools and discuss all things higher education, with presentations on everything from Student Finance to Personal Statements. I also attend UCAS fairs, as well as smaller fairs run by schools and colleges to give information on Lancaster’s courses and the student experience. As of 2023, I am the main contact for schools in Northern Ireland too, and I'm keen to set up more engagements in the coming year.
BSc Hons Psychology, 2021, Lancaster University (Furness College)
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Henry Blackburn
Student Recruitment Assistant (Isle of Man)
Pronouns: he/him
My role is to help young people make the best decision for them. I work with the team to ensure prospective students make informed choices with their post-18 options. As well as this, I deliver workshops and presentations to many different audiences from students to carers mainly across the North to prepare people for university life, whether that be on Student Finance or choosing the right university or course for you. The role is varied and offers lots to be proud of.
BA Hons Drama, Theatre & Performance, 2022, Lancaster University (The County College)
Catherine Brabin
Student Recruitment Assistant
Pronouns: She/her
BA Hons Theatre and English Literature, 2022, Lancaster University (The County College)
Student Recruitment (Midlands)
Emily Day
Student Recruitment Officer
Pronouns: she/her
I've worked in roles focused on student recruitment, widening participation and the education sector generally for over 13 years. Working alongside Claire, I am responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with schools and colleges across the Midlands. My role is to offer the best support, advice and guidance to students, teachers, advisers as well as parents and supporters across secondary and further education sectors, helping students to make the best choice for their next steps into higher education. I also serve in a voluntary capacity as the Midlands Chair at HELOA.
BA Hons Business Management and Psycology, 2009, York St John University
Claire Owen
Student Recruitment Officer
Pronouns: she/her
As a Student Recruitment Officer in the Midlands, I’m keen to build meaningful relationships with schools and colleges to support students with their decision making and transition into higher education. I’ve worked as a Careers Adviser in schools and colleges for over 15 years and very much enjoy helping students to understand their post 16 and post 18 options, as well as understanding how to access and navigate careers and labour market information.
BA Hons Sociology with Social Policy, 2000, University of Warwick
Student Recruitment (South)
Hilary Beck
Student Recruitment Officer (East of England, South East and the Channel Islands)
Pronouns: she/her
My role as a Student Recruitment Officer involves working with schools and colleges across the East and South East of England, helping students make informed choices about their future. As a Southerner who chose to study in the North, I enjoy telling students about these benefits and expanding their horizons when choosing a place to study.
BSc Hons Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2015, Manchester Metropolitan University
Aki Hanabusa
Student Recruitment Officer (London)
Pronouns: she/her
After moving to the UK from Japan in 2011 for my own studies, I now manage Lancaster University’s relationships with and provide tailored advice and support to schools and colleges across Greater London region. As part of this, I attend HE fairs, deliver presentations and workshops – you'll also see me at London UCAS fairs! It is my passion to support and guide students in this life-changing decision-making process.
BA Hons Politics & International Relations, 2015, University of Westminster | MA Hons Gender Studies, 2016, School of Oriental & African Studies
Jess Shaw
Student Recruitment and Events Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Originally from West Yorkshire, I have lived in London since 2017 and support the South Office with coordination and delivery of student recruitment events and activities. I enjoy visiting HE fairs and schools across London/South of England and delivering presentations relating to higher education. I also look after the bi-monthly Schools and Colleges newsletter as well as our Twitter account.
LLB Hons Law, 2014, Lancaster University (Cartmel College)
Widening Participation
Carla Lockwood
Widening Participation Manager
Pronouns: she/her
My role as involves working with my colleagues in the Widening Participation team to provide young people with opportunities to find out more about higher education and gain an insight into life at Lancaster University. I am passionate about enabling students to successfully progress to their chosen university and achieve their potential, irrespective of background or barriers.
Jake Brown
Widening Participation Officer (Lancaster Access Programme)
Pronouns: he/him
I work on our key widening participation projects supporting students from underrepresented groups to progress to university. I mainly focus on managing our Lancaster Access Programme and large scale campus events such as residentials and experience days. I also work to support and assist WP students across wider work and events offered by the University.
BSc Hons Physical Geography, 2016, Lancaster University and Macquarie University
Ele Dove
Widening Participation Officer (Realising Opportunities)
BSc Hons Forensic Anthropology, 2013, Liverpool John Moores University
Gareth Williams
Widening Participation Assistant
BA Hons History, 2016 and MA Hons History, 2017, Lancaster University (The County College)
International Student Recruitment
Chris Culling
Regional Officer (Europe and International Schools)
Pronouns: he/him
Prior to commencing my role at Lancaster, I have worked in Higher Education admissions and trained as a secondary science teacher. Now, alongside my role as Regional Officer for Europe I am responsible for initiating, maintaining, and developing relationships with international schools around the world. Through conferences, fairs, and school visits I work with agents and school counsellors to ensure that students are as well-informed as possible when considering Lancaster as an option for Higher Education study.
MBIOL Zoology, 2017, University of Leeds | PGCE in Secondary Science, 2021, Red Kite Teacher Training
Tom Malcolm
Regional Officer (UK International)
Pronouns: he/him
I work supporting international students in the UK with their applications to study our UG and PG programmes. After graduating from Lancaster, I worked as a teacher in Hong Kong and Laos, then returned to London running activity programmes for young people. Now I work for Lancaster from London where I visit schools and education fairs to provide information on admissions, personal statements, interview skills and more.
BSc Geography, 2012, Lancaster University (Grizedale College)