FIGTREE LEARNING - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• CEO
• Founder
• Figtree Founder

Ariana's journey to becoming an educational expert began early in her career as a lawyer, inspired by the idea of being able to make a difference in people's lives. Having started as a human rights consultant for the United Nations she went on to train as a solicitor in the City, spending several years at some of the top law firms, both in the UK and the US. While the work was dynamic and exciting, Ariana felt there was room for more. Still a solicitor, she began volunteering with an extraordinary educational charity, ‘One Degree' - first as a mentor and then as a trustee - helping them structure an engaging and tailored educational mentoring programme. And so the first seeds of Figtree were planted. Through her work with One Degree, Ariana learnt that one-to-one tuition could change the course of a child's future. Always conscious of this impact, she carefully selects skilled, inspiring and dedicated tutors. With the patience and intuition to take a tailored approach, and supported by the Figtree training team, each tutor is determined to cultivate their students' self-belief to see them maximise their potential and achieve the best they can. Founding Figtree has given Ariana the opportunity to distill her unwavering passion into a unique approach, blurring the lines between tutoring and mentoring. Providing diligent, one-to-one time and attention is at the core of Figtree's mission. Keeping charitable activities at the forefront, Ariana and the team hope to enable individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to have access to tutoring and mentoring. "With Figtree, and its affiliations in the non-profit sector, we hope to continue to provide professional, nurturing support that inspires children to set their own goals - and achieve them."

Job Titles:

• Education Consultant
• Headmaster

Benedict has 25 years' experience working in British private schools - with 10 years in senior schools as a teacher, tutor and boarding housemaster, followed by 14 years of headship in leading boarding prep schools and a London day prep. He has been a governor within the Drapers' Multi-Academy Trust in Havering for the past six years, has served as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, ISI, and is an accredited mentor. Benedict brings a broad overview of the independent school sector from age three to 18, in co-educational and single sex, and boarding and day settings. This perspective, and his deep knowledge of the transition requirements at each stage - as well as his many close contacts within schools - means he can offer a highly informed and impartial view across children's entire educational journey. Benedict also taught English in Le Puy, France, and he has a degree in French language and literature from UCL. He began his working life in the City before moving into education.

Job Titles:

• Senior Solicitor, Department for Education

A lead lawyer for the Department for Education, Irum works at the forefront of educational developments and departmental policy. She is adept at navigating school systems in both a professional and personal capacity, and has an in-depth understanding of the nuances of the independent school sector. Successfully leading her three children through the 11+ to secure places at London's top independent schools, Irum is very familiar with the unique challenges this demanding exam poses. With her methodical approach, keen attention to detail and diverse experience working across public and private sectors, Irum brings passion and professionalism to the Figtree team. She is the Governor of a leading independent primary school in North London, where she draws on her strategic skills and knowledge of the education sector to help create the best possible learning environment.

Job Titles:

• Operations Manager

Lizzie studied drama and Spanish at Exeter University. After graduating, she spent ten years working for some of London's top advertising and design agencies, where she project managed campaigns for multi-national brands. With a wealth of experience juggling multiple projects and stakeholders at any one time, Lizzie is perfectly placed to meet the needs of our Figtree team, and all of our families. She is also a governor of Harris Academy East Dulwich, which is part of the Harris Federation, the top performing multi-academy trust.

Job Titles:

• Founding Member
• Strategy Director

A founding member of a prominent educational charity, Misa brings her passion for learning to the Figtree team as Strategy Director. During her MBA at London Business School, Misa was instrumental in setting up, and securing funding for, an educational charity that supports disadvantaged students in London. Since this life-changing experience, mentoring and nurturing talent have been at the core of Misa's career. Experienced in creating digitally-enabled businesses, Misa's role as Strategy Director is to support Figtree's growth into new markets, managing marketing across channels and ensuring best commercial practices are met. Misa is also Figtree's resident university application expert. Supporting undergraduate and postgraduate applications, Misa's students have gone on to study at leading institutions across the UK, US and France. She has extensive personal and professional experience of the French education system, following her French Baccalauréat with International Option in Paris, and law degree with London School of Economics and Panthéon-Assas Université Paris II. With her charitable background, and a strong-held belief that education should be accessible to all, the Figtree Foundation is a project close to Misa's heart. She is committed to developing free tailored tuition to support students in need, delivering the Foundation's mission for equality in education through everything she does.

Job Titles:

• Vice Principal, Harris Academy Wimbledon

Richard has been working in education since 2006 as a geography teacher, Head of Department, Lead Geography Consultant and, most recently, as Vice Principal for Harris Academy Wimbledon, where he oversees teaching and learning, and curriculum development. He is a former Governor of a top-performing girls' school in Bromley. Richard has a first-class degree in geography from the University of Exeter and a master's degree from UCL in curriculum studies, in which he achieved a distinction. His main interest is in how cognitive science theories can be used to improve long-term memory and retention of knowledge.

Job Titles:

• Academic Director

A graduate in English from Oxford University, Rishi started his tutoring career 10 years ago at a leading London tutoring agency. Due to his commitment and success with tutees, he was selected as ‘Tutor of the Year' in his first year. Prior to this, Rishi enjoyed a decade of creativity and challenge as a TV and radio producer at the BBC. Friendly, compassionate and academically rigorous, Rishi is committed to helping every one of his students achieve their goals. He has successfully prepared pupils in maths and English for the finest independent schools in London and across the country, as well as many of London's top grammar schools. He is highly sought after as one of London's leading entrance exam experts and enjoys a track record of complete entrance success to the most competitive schools. Rishi prides himself on being able to establish a great rapport with his students, supporting them through positivity, encouragement, patience and honesty. Passionate about learning, and with a wide range of interests, it's sharing this knowledge and enthusiasm with others that Rishi loves most about being a tutor.

When she's not tutoring, Tierney likes to explore her creative side. She is currently taking contemporary dance classes and a print-making course.