Meet the Team
The Schools and Colleges Liaison Service:
- Offers impartial information, advice and guidance about how to research Higher Education (HE) courses and institutions.
- Gives specialist advice on topics such as student finance and making an effective application through UCAS.
- Works closely with our school and college partners across the region to widen participation to HE.
- Provides a number of progression activities for adult learners as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for school/college staff and careers advisers.
- Acts as a liaison point between school/college staff wishing to form links with University staff in specific subject areas.
All members of the Schools and Colleges Liaison Team at Huddersfield, including Student Ambassadors, have passed the relevant safeguarding checks (DBS) and have undertaken child safeguarding training.
Contact us on 01484 472282 or schools.liaison@hud.ac.uk
The team
Amanda Kenningley
Deputy Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service
Kate Filimon
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (North West)
Becky Heritage
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Midlands)
Marica Shelbourne
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire)
Julie Pink
| Job Title | Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Julie Pink
After graduating from the University of Leeds with a BA in Management Studies and Philosophy, I joined Sainsbury’s on their Graduate Management Training Programme. After a few years at Sainsbury’s working in and around North London, I moved back to West Yorkshire in 1992 to join the University of Huddersfield. From 1994 onwards I have headed up the Schools and Colleges Liaison Service seeing it grow from a team of one and a half to a team of nineteen over the years.
Whilst at the University, I have gained an MA in Education Marketing from the University of Central England and I am currently studying for the CMI level 7 certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. I am a member of the West Yorkshire National Collaborative Outreach Programme’s steering group, Go Higher West Yorkshire and I am on the Board of Directors for C& K Careers. I have two children and I love reading, blogging and going to the gym (in that order!)
Sarah Banton-Place
| Job Title | Market Research and Data Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Sarah Banton-Place
After moving to Huddersfield from Manchester to study here, I was really excited to join the team at Huddersfield as Market Research and Data Officer back in 2008.
The overall remit of my role is develop and co-ordinate the University’s market research activities. Working with various departments across the university I help with new market identification, course portfolio development and commission and carry out desk and field research in order to inform our marketing strategy and aid student recruitment.
Outside of work I volunteer at my local library and get out and about as much as I can with the aim of tiring out my two young children.
Liam Bunce
| Job Title | Schools & Colleges Liason Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Liam Bunce
I’m new to the Schools & Colleges Liaison Team, but I’ve lived and worked in Huddersfield for five years and love the town and the University. Before joining the team I spend four years working for Huddersfield Students’ Union, so I know the University and its students well. As a Schools & Colleges Liaison Officer, I spend my time telling a wide range of people about the benefits of Higher Education. On any given day I could be working with schools and colleges to deliver presentations and workshops, organise school visits to campus or attend UCAS and careers fairs. I’m proud to work for the University of Huddersfield and love talking to potential students, their parents and teachers about all the University has to offer.
Outside of work my time is taken up by my wife and two sons. You can often find me running in the beautiful hills and countryside that surround this fantastic town. I’ll be the one pushing the buggy!
Sophie Craven
| Job Title | Schools & Colleges Liason Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Sophie Craven
I coordinate the University’s schemes that attract UCAS points: primarily the Progression Module and Headstart Huddersfield. My role involves working with key individuals in schools and colleges to publicise and recruit students onto the schemes. I work with partner institutions, including Leeds Beckett University, to develop existing and new teaching and assessment resources for the Progression Module. In addition I am responsible for developing and coordinating training for teachers and providing ongoing support for the schemes. I also work with schools and colleges to organise and deliver a range of campus visits, presentations and workshops.
I have worked in Schools Liaison, Student Recruitment and Widening Participation roles for over 15 years and prior to that I worked for an Education Business Partnership on enterprise and mentoring projects. I am a qualified teacher of History with an MA in History and PGCert Technology Enhanced Learning. I am also a published education author and contributor to a number of UK school subscription publications. In my spare time I enjoy reading and walking the Calder Valley where I live with my husband and two children.
Keeley Hutton
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Keeley Hutton
As a Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator, I am responsible for administering and co-ordinating subject specific requests that we receive from both the general public and schools and colleges. This includes bookings for the Discover Programme (off campus), Taster Days (on campus), Science A Level practicals (on/off campus) and any other ad hoc subject request. I work closely with teachers/ advisers on what activity suits their requirements and help to find a suitable date/ time for both them and the relevant academic.
I manage the student ambassador and senior student ambassador schemes. This includes the recruitment, selection and training of our chosen representatives. The schemes are designed to employ current University of Huddersfield students to support our team in a variety of activities and events.
I occasionally visit schools and colleges or attend UCAS conventions to help the team promote our institution and HE.
My idea of relaxation is running even though this may be considered torture by some of my colleagues. I am Huddersfield born and Yorkshire through and through.
Ruth Lomas
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Ruth Lomas
The main function of my role is to provide awareness of Higher Education for pupils, parents and teachers & advisors within the local and regional schools and college network. Within my role I am dedicated to ensuring that young people continue to be inspired about the possibility of Higher Education and the opportunities that education can unlock.
I am also responsible for the management of our looked after young person program working in conjunction with our student’s services team.
I have worked within the HE sector for over 10 years, joining the team at Huddersfield 6 months ago as an assistant and now moving onto an Officers role. I love the variety of our job roles and enjoy meeting new people and helping them to make an informed decision about their future.
My life outside of work is taken up with my young family and all that entails!
Amanda Kenningley
| Job Title | Deputy Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Amanda Kenningley
Having worked as a Schools & Colleges Liaison Officer since 2006, I recently started a new role as Deputy Head of the Schools and Colleges Liaison Service. My job is varied and I enjoy working with young people, especially when you can see how the work done may change their perceptions of Higher Education! Having left college at 18 and entering the world of work, I decided a few years down the line to go to university and was so glad I did. Encouraging young people to enter into Higher Education through the work I do gives me a great sense of achievement. In addition to the work I do with schools and colleges, I am the Vice Chair (Training & Partnerships) for HELOA North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, which allows me to keep up to date with current issues in the Higher Education sector. Prior to working at the university I worked in marketing roles at De Montfort University, Impact Theatre Training and Wakefield Council, so I have an insight into a variety of institutions. Outside work I like walking and last year undertook the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, I’m currently thinking of what to do for this years’ challenge! I have two boys who keep me very busy and I help out at their local Beaver Scout group in my spare time.
Jane Murphy
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (North East) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Jane Murphy
Working as a Schools and Colleges Officer my job involves promoting the University and/or Higher Education in schools and colleges across the UK, with a particular focus on the North East. This involves going into schools to do presentations and workshops, arranging visits to campus, and attending UCAS and HE fairs both locally and further afield – satnav has been a boon in this job! It also includes putting school and college staff in touch with subject staff on campus to develop links and aid the transition to university.
My personal remit is working with parents, as we recognise their importance in the Higher Education decision making process and having had three children who have gone through university themselves has helped a great deal in this. Having worked here since 2003, I have seen this institution make great progress and it has been great to be a part of it.
Richard Noon
| Job Title | Market Insight & CRM Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Richard Noon
I joined the team in January this year and I am responsible for gathering insights into what prospective and current students, staff and the wider community think about the University. Alongside this, I look after the marketing CRM system that we use to manage the enquiries into the University on a daily basis. This year we have begun to look at lifestyle marketing and using mapping techniques to identify areas of opportunity for the University.
Outside work, I have a 2 year old son, I am captain of a pool team and support Huddersfield Town Football Club.
Jo Ricketts
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Assistant |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Joanne Ricketts
Having worked at the University for 25 years, I have seen huge changes to both the campus and the culture of the organisation and its staff. A huge part of my role involves the coordination of the University’s Open Days, a key part of the pre-applicant student journey, along with the Applicant Visit Days which run from December to April.
Additionally, I administer the finances for the department and organise the logistics for the UCAS fair “circuit” and represent the University at HE and careers fairs as well as conducting mock interviews in local schools. In my “spare” time I am kept busy by my two boys, but they keep me young!
Matthew Wetherill
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Matthew Wetherill
I moved to Huddersfield from Wakefield in 2009 when I came to the University to study TV Production and Media. I was an active student in various Sports Teams and Societies and because of this was elected by the student body to work in the Students’ Union after I graduated for a year. This role led me to pursue a career in HE and Education in general and since graduating in 2012 I’ve worked in a range of educational institutions like Wakefield College, Student Finance England and others! All the fantastic experiences I had at the University of Huddersfield as a student and whilst working in the Students’ Union has enthused me about students entering HE. Passing this knowledge on to prospective students is the part of my job I really enjoy. One particular project I’m currently working on is to increase our University’s number of applications from the North West region of England.
In my spare time I coach the University’s American Football team 3 days a week during term time and play during the summer. I also like going on holidays, as many as possible as often as possible.
Kate Filimon
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Kate Filimon
After studying English Literature at the University of Sheffield and then working in Market Research in Leeds, I began working in Higher Education in the South West in 2014 – and now I’m delighted to have returned to the north to continue my career in this area. I am passionate about promoting fair access to university and ensuring that all young people have access to equal educational opportunities.
My role involves delivering aspiration-raising talks and workshops and attending careers fairs to provide information and guidance to students and their families about the variety of Higher Education options available to them. I’ve recently taken over responsibility for building relationships with schools and colleges in the North West in particular; I’m based in the region and spend the majority of my time paying visits to institutions throughout the area, from Cheshire to Cumbria!
When I’m not at work, I’m particularly interested in live music, theatre and literature and you can often find me at festivals of all shapes, sizes and genres.
Gemma Stead
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Gemma Stead
I have been working in Higher Education for over 9 years both in the UK and overseas for a number of different types institutions. My roles have included working in areas such as admissions, marketing and recruitment, outreach and widening participation; leading on projects aimed at increasing engagement with prospective students and teachers across the UK. I enjoy working collaboratively across the sector and am an active member of the Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA), previously serving on the North East Committee as Web Engagement and Marketing Officer.
I recently gained the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Psychotherapy. I have a degree in History and International Relations and I am very passionate about the wealth of opportunities Higher Education can bring. My role primarily involves delivering aspiration raising talks, workshops and campus visits to young people and I enjoy working in a variety of different settings and meeting new people every day. I also specifically work to build links between the University and schools and colleges in the West Yorkshire region.
Outside of work, my main interests lie in anything that involve being in the great outdoors, such as running, walking and cycling. I also love to travel - I backpacked around South America for 6 months and lived in Vancouver, Canada for a year.
Bex Bourke
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Bex Bourke
I relocated to Huddersfield from Sheffield in January 2018 to start my new role at the University of Huddersfield. Previous to my role at the University of Huddersfield I worked within the Schools Liaison team at an FE college within South Yorkshire. I studied a Creative Arts degree and Post-16 PGCSE at Sheffield Hallam. I feel that Higher Education has given me lots of experience and opportunities and I love being able to inspire students to consider HE in my current role.
Outside of work I am on the board of Governors for a local primary school in West Yorkshire. I very much enjoy this role and the opportunities it gives me to work with primary school learners. I also enjoy running and climbing in my spare time.
James Knox
| Job Title | CRM Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About James Knox
Hannah Alipoor
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Hannah Alipoor
Having been a Senior Ambassador whilst studying BA English Language and Linguistics, and MA Intercultural Communication at the University of Huddersfield, I’m delighted to continue to work in the Schools and Colleges Liaison team here.
My role involves promoting the opportunities that our department offers to local schools and colleges through email and social media, allocating events, and maintaining our contact database. Additionally, I have responsibility for organising the clearing helpline and admissions day and Parents Information Evenings, and updating our printed literature and website. I also enjoy getting out to schools, colleges and UCAS fairs to meet with prospective students as often as I can.
I’m particularly interested in travel, and travelled around South East Asia after graduating. Outside of work you will find me scrolling various search engines for the latest cheap flights!
Laura Bareham
| Job Title | Outreach Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Laura Bareham
I moved to Huddersfield from Essex in 2011 to study a BA in History here at the University of Huddersfield. Throughout my three years as a student I also worked as a Senior Student Ambassador, a job which I absolutely loved and which ultimately inspired me to continue working in the HE sector, and the area of School and College Liaison in particular.
In my role as Outreach Officer for the National Collaborative Outreach Project, I act as the university’s main representative within the project and promote the university to students from Years 9 to 13 across West Yorkshire with a focus on the Wakefield region. A large part of my role is engaging with parents and the community, and I spend a fair amount of my time working alongside our 11 partner institutions to organise and run HE-based events in community locations across the region. It’s a joy to be part of the fantastic team here at the University, and to be able to represent an institution that I gained so much from as a student.
In my spare time I love travelling and head off for solo adventures whenever I can fit them in! I also love reading, photography and spending time with my family.
Becky Heritage
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Midlands) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Becky Heritage
After graduating from the University of Leicester in 2010 with a BA in History, I returned to the West Midlands region and worked at the University of Birmingham for a short period of time. After deciding to pursue a career in student recruitment I then returned to the University of Leicester and worked for their International Office for a number of years, until December 2017 when I joined the Schools and Colleges Liaison Team at the University of Huddersfield, as the Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer for (and based in) the West Midlands region.
My role primarily involves delivering aspiration raising talks, and workshops, and attending careers fairs to provide information and guidance to students and their families. I am also responsible for building links between the University and schools and colleges in the West Midlands region. I am a passionate advocate of Higher Education, and the experiences and opportunities it affords. Therefore I greatly enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences of university with students, teachers and parents in the West Midlands. I particularly enjoy going in to schools and colleges in my local area and working with a variety of people, all with different backgrounds and aspirations.
In my spare time I enjoy riding and caring for my horse Pilgrim, and walking my greyhound Alfie, our favourite place to visit is the Lake District. I also enjoy reading, going to the theatre and binge watching TV boxsets.
Marica Shelbourne
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Marica Shelbourne
I moved from Nottingham to Huddersfield in 2008 with my family and studied Youth and Community Work at the University of Huddersfield from 2012-2015. Throughout my studies I gained experience in a wide range of placements including The Base (a drug and alcohol service) and various youth clubs. One of the key roles in my placement at The Base was providing weekly drop in sessions/information stands at local Colleges and delivering classroom workshops to students in FE. I absolutely loved working with students in a range of different settings and this is what encouraged me to work in a role of a similar nature after I finished my studies.
I am new to the Schools and Colleges Liaison team covering maternity, however I am familiar with the nature of the job as my previous role was a Schools Liaison Officer at an FE College. I am looking forward to getting know more about the world of HE and getting out and about in Schools and Colleges throughout the region.
Mohammed Abu-Bakr
| Job Title | Events Assistant (Placement Student) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Mohammed Abu-Bakr
I am currently on my placement year studying Business Management and joined the team in July. Part of my role involves going out on various events in schools and colleges and also working on projects such as the Progression Module. I work closely alongside the team and the student ambassadors to deliver open days and applicant visit days: we all work collaboratively towards the same goal which is to promote the University of Huddersfield to potential students.
The experience I will gain from this placement will prepare me for the world of work. After my placement and graduation, I intend to work in the field of Logistics and I plan to study for a Master’s in order to reach my goal.
In my spare time I play for a local football team and take part in various tournaments up and down the country. I love spending time with my family also and I also really like travelling.