Louise graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in French and History. After graduation, she pursued a career in marketing for a group of English Language Schools, where she became Group Marketing Manager. During this time, she promoted international education programmes to students across the world, working with students from South America, Asia, and Europe.

After the birth of her children, Louise retrained as a teacher, and during this time she was Curriculum Leader for both Science and English. She became passionate about the importance of reading for pleasure for all children and experienced first-hand how supporting children to develop a love of reading early in life benefited all areas of their education. Most recently, she has worked as a private tutor supporting children on a one-to-one basis in a variety of areas including exam preparation and Special Educational Needs support. It was during this time that she got involved with The Beacon Scholarship and Leadership Programme as a Target Sheet Mentor and has thoroughly enjoyed supporting Beacon Scholars on their leadership journeys.

In her spare time, Louise enjoys all manner of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and gardening. She is treasurer for her local scout group and can often be seen out and about with her beloved retired greyhound.

Kate has a degree in English and began her career working in the charity sector before moving into local government as a Care Manager, working closely with local families and communities. Kate retrained as a teacher in 2005 and is a skilled practitioner of early reading, writing and maths. She has a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination and as an Inclusion Lead has strategically led whole school special education provision as well as training colleagues and leading a team of dedicated support staff.

Alongside family life, Kate enjoys a challenge and last year climbed Moel Siabod in Snowdonia, Wales. She is a keen hiker and runner, having completed three half marathons and several off-road trail-runs. As a volunteer with her local scout group, Kate helps to manage activities such as hikes, camps, first aid training and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards. Kate can often be found with her labradoodle Willow, who shares her love of the great outdoors. 

Jay graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in Civil Engineering and then went on to pursue a legal career as a litigator and Solicitor Advocate for 17 years. She lives and works in London.

Alongside her legal career, Jay discovered a passion for personal development and has continued developing leadership and coaching skills ever since. She is also trained in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) and has considerable expertise in effective communication and presentation skills.

After leaving the law, Jay now consults with clients across many industry sectors and writes books and speaks on the topics of presentation skills and personal brand. She has headed up mentoring programmes and coached undergraduates and professionals at all levels. Jay has a particular interest in working with women in leadership.

As an alum of Dundee University, she has been a non executive member of the Governing body for the past 4 years as well as a member of the People & Organisational Development Committee.

Alongside her other professional interests, Jay has been working with the Beacon since 2016 developing and delivering leadership programmes.

Zaheera Rajab is a sociolinguistic researcher by training and an educator by choice. She graduated cum laude, with a Master’s in Education in 2023 (Applied Language and Literacy Studies) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion in education stems from growing up in a post-Apartheid South Africa, and having to overcome the difficulties posed by being a “born-free” in a society where inequalities and oppression endure. Throughout her career, Zaheera has worn many hats – from educator to researcher to activist. 

She served as a Peace Ambassador, representing the United Nations’ SDGs, advocating for social justice and equality at the age of 15. As an educator, Zaheera has taught students from France, Germany, Spain, South Africa and several Latin American countries. She has acted as a mentor for students at the University of Cape Town and also been involved with organisations such as UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning and the University of Cape Town’s UN Association of South Africa chapter, showcasing her passion for education and human rights. 

Over the course of her career, she strives to contribute to education initiatives in Africa and beyond, empowering students and developing Africa’s next leaders. This is what drew Zaheera towards the Beacon, wherein she endeavours to contribute towards its longevity, help more young people follow their academic dreams, and educate scholars about the tools they need to succeed. For fun, she raises stray cats, learns new languages (Spanish at the moment) and aims to try something new every week.

Jean Cooke has worked in investment for 30 years, as head of administration and compliance and company secretary, latterly with a London based fund management company specialising in emerging markets. After Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls in Canterbury, Kent, Jean travelled widely, including a year in Madrid, but then settled in the south east of England. She has now decided to use the skills developed in her business life for the benefit of others. Accustomed to multitasking, working to deadlines and decision making, she understands the importance of attention to detail and accurate reporting. 

Jean is actively involved in her local Church, where she serves as a Deanery Synod Representative and sits on the Parochial Church Council. She is also responsible for organising the Church Flowers and occasionally sings in the choir.

Jean has been involved with the Beacon since 2014 and provides invaluable administrative support for the Beacon Programme.

Diana graduated from the University of Lancaster with a degree in Philosophy and Music, specialising in singing. She then qualified as a teacher and worked in both the private and the state sectors for the next 22 years. During this time, she taught reading to individuals who had got behind their peers and set up and ran a newly built school library.

Diana now works as a singing teacher and for the Workers’ Educational Association. This nationwide charity provides education for adults who might not otherwise have access, by keeping fees low and reaching out to communities of all backgrounds. Diana both teaches and has the role of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Observer, checking the quality of the teaching provision in wide-ranging subjects such as English for Speakers of Other Languages, Functional Skills Maths, the stories of Chekhov and dance and singing lessons for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Diana shared a flat with a Kenyan girl in the 1990s and first visited East Africa then, developing a life-long interest in the area. Her father founded a scholarship for Ukrainian school students in the 1990s, who came to boarding school in Britin, with Diana often hosting the students in the school holidays. Beacon has proved a way to combine those two interests.
In her spare time, Diana enjoys singing in a local choir, cycling and travelling.

Mirella graduated with a degree in Management Science from Warwick University and following this spent some years in business research and then retail management. After a few years, she did a PGCE in Secondary Education and qualified as a teacher of Business & ICT before becoming Head of Sixth Form, a role in which she particularly enjoyed advising and supporting students in making decisions about their futures and applications to university. She later became part of the Senior Leadership Team, with responsibility for students on vocational courses.

After having children she moved into the Primary School sector and now mentors students at university who are training to become primary school teachers. It marries very well with the mentor work that she does with Beacon Students. Both roles involve listening to young people and supporting them to achieve their career aspirations and to fulfil their potential.

In her spare time, Mirella enjoys the outdoors, especially exploring long hiking trails both in the UK and abroad. She also keeps fit by running and taking part in weekly dance classes, as well as having a keen interest in cooking and exploring complimentary health methods.