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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.
Contact usFred Binley
Head of UK Student Recruitment
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 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)
Jake Brown
UK Student Recruitment Manager (North)
Pronouns: he/him
Having been at Lancaster for over a decade, both studying as a student and then continuing to work at the University, I’m delighted I now get the chance to share my experiences and the opportunities Lancaster University provides with prospective students from across the country in the fantastic schools and colleges we work with.
BSc Hons Physical Geography, 2016, Lancaster University and Macquarie University
Jacob O'Neill
Student Recruitment Officer (North West: Lancashire and Cheshire)
Pronouns: he/him
I joined the Student Recruitment team in early 2024, having studied History at Lancaster at Bachelor’s, Master’s and then PhD level, specialising in early medieval Britain. I am currently responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with schools and colleges across Lancashire and Cheshire. By sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm about Lancaster University to help young people make the best, most informed choices about their futures and what a university education can do for them.
BA Hons History, 2017, Lancaster University (Grizedale College), MA History, 2018, Lancaster University (Graduate College), PhD History, 2025, Lancaster University (Graduate College)
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 liaised 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 am the Student Recruitment Officer for Yorkshire and the North East, working as the main contact for sixth forms and colleges in these regions. Originally from Yorkshire and a Lancaster graduate, I enjoy helping students learn more about Lancaster and supporting Teachers and Advisers in guiding their students. I’ve been part of the UK Student Recruitment team for several years, and before that I worked in a Further Education college helping students progress to university. I’m also a College Adviser for Lonsdale College, providing pastoral support to current Lancaster students.
BA Hons English Language & Linguistics, 2018, Lancaster University (The County College)
Callum Gough
Student Recruitment Officer
Pronouns: he/him
I am the project lead for our on-campus schools and college visits to Lancaster University. I co-operate with careers advisors and staff at educational institutions across the UK to bring post-16 students to Lancaster. I also play an active role in liaising with faculties to deliver subject tasters sessions and masterclasses for these personalised campus visits.
BA Hons Business with International Management, 2017, Northumbria University
Adam Al-Sharifi
Student Recruitment Assistant
Pronouns: he/him
I joined the Student Recruitment team in late 2024 after completing my Bachelor's and Master's at Lancaster. I am now part of the team that travels across the UK delivering talks and representing Lancaster University at Higher Education events, as well as sharing my knowledge of studying Business related degrees.
BSc Hons Business Management, 2023, Lancaster University (Grizedale College), MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2024, Lancaster University (Graduate College)
Beth Macaulay
Student Recruitment Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
As a recent graduate from Lancaster University, I was very excited for the opportunity to stay and work for the university I love. I am a Student Recruitment Assistant within the team, which involves travelling around the UK for recruitment events. These include HE fairs, exhibitions and talks, while representing Lancaster University. I am happy to share my knowledge about higher education and offer guidance regarding next steps to university.
LLB Hons Law (Study Abroad), 2025, Lancaster University (Lonsdale College)
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Evie Sokol
Evie Sokol
Pronouns: she/her
I have recently graduated from Lancaster University in 2024 with a degree in Zoology and was keen to start working for Lancaster University after thoroughly enjoying my time as a student here. I now work as a Student Recruitment Assistant which involves travelling around the country to assist with recruitment events in the form of school visits, HE fairs, and exhibitions. I enjoy sharing my knowledge to prospective students about Lancaster and the benefits of university, helping them to make informed decisions regarding the post-18 options that they have available to them.
BSc Hons Zoology, 2024, Lancaster University (Fylde College)
Student Recruitment (Midlands & South)
Lyndsey Spiers
UK Student Recruitment Manager (Midlands & South)
Pronouns: she/her
I have worked for Lancaster University since 2017, initially within the events team managing our student ambassador programme and I am now delighted to be managing our student recruitment teams in the Midlands and South. I graduated with a Master's in Professional Practice and Senior Leadership at Lancaster in December 2021, focussing on long term approaches to student recruitment as part of my 60-credit-project and am looking forward to implementing these suggestions and growing our school engagement regionally.
BA Hons Event Management, 2008, University of Central Lancashire | MSc Professional Practice and Senior Leadership, 2021, Lancaster University
Emily Day
Student Recruitment Officer (Midlands)
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 Vice-Chair for Training at HELOA.
BA Hons Business Management and Psychology, 2009, York St John University
Claire Owen
Student Recruitment Officer (Midlands)
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
Darcy Beckett
Student Recruitment Coordinator
Having thoroughly enjoyed my time as a student at Lancaster University it is immensely rewarding to now be able to encourage and support prospective students to do the same. As a Student Recruitment Coordinator I engage with students, teachers and carers, across the Midlands and South of England, to offer guidance on post-18 options with a focus on progressing to university. These interactions take the form of HE and careers fairs, as well as the delivery of talks covering topics such as writing personal statements, choosing courses and universities, and student finance and budgeting.
BA Hons History, 2022, Lancaster University (The County College), MA History, 2023, Lancaster University (Graduate College)
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Ed Bartley
Student Recruitment Officer (London & South West)
Pronouns: he/him
My role is to establish and develop relationships with schools and colleges across London and the Southwest. Having previously worked in the student recruitment team at two other UK Universities as well as teaching English abroad, I have been exposed to a variety of activities in education, including attending HE Fairs, UCAS events, and delivering a variety of talks & workshops to diverse audiences. As a southerner myself, I am passionate about raising awareness around the benefits of studying in the North.
BA Hons French with Politics (Distinction in spoken French), 2023, Newcastle University
Rich McHugh
Student Recruitment Officer (London & South East)
Pronouns: he/him
Having initially trained as a secondary PE teacher, I held several sports development roles with sports NGBs across the London & South East region, before coordinating sport and physical activity provision at universities in both London and Kent. Since 2020, I have worked in student recruitment, where my role is to work closely with schools and colleges to provide information and guidance to students, parents & advisors regarding post-16, post-18 options and progression to university.
BSc Hons Sport & Exercise Science, 2005, University of Hertfordshire | PGCE (Secondary 11-18), 2008, Canterbury Christ Church University
Postgraduate Recruitment
Jennifer Walker
Student Recruitment Officer (Postgraduate)
Pronouns: she/her
My role is to give advice and guidance to UK students who are thinking of studying at a postgraduate level. As well as providing information about course choice and funding, I am a disability specialist and am able to provide information on the financial and other support available to disabled students studying at all levels at Lancaster University.
BA Hons Media Production, 2003, University of Lincoln | Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Post-16), 2017, University of Central Lancashire
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)