Meet the team.

Education has long been an interest for Oppidan’s founders Henry and Walter, friends since the early days of their shared secondary school experience. With family in education, Henry worked as an educational consultant in Spain and London, whilst Walter worked in schools in China and as a professional tutor in London before setting up Oppidan together in the Spring of 2016.

Our founders have spent a decade working in partnership with senior leaders and teachers around the UK.

They’ve developed a practical, innovative and research-driven approach to mentoring and personal development for young people. Though not teachers themselves, Oppidan success to date is rooted in partnership with respected teachers and educationalists.

Being close to the action is vital. Having worked individually with hundreds of families themselves, Henry and Walter continue to oversee each element of the recruitment, training and delivery of mentors’ work across 100+ schools and 5000+ families. Henry and Walter are active trustees of the charity they founded, Oppidan Foundation, enabling access to mentorship programmes in state secondary schools.

Henry Faber

Co-Founder
I love working with people, unwinding on the golf course or talking about my year in the Bob Marley Musical.
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Walter Kerr

Co-Founder
I love racquet sports, running and the behavioural psychology behind working with children.
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Ben Stevens

Head of Marketing & Brand
I’ve led Oppidan’s creative direction since day one and enjoy giving pro bono sports lessons to Walter in my free time.
Charlotte Harmer

Head of Schools (Mat leave)
I lead our work in schools, having taught for ten years after Teach First. I love travel, theatre and paddle boarding.
Henry Grace

Mentor Manager
I manage our team of 200 mentors. I’m also a musician and full-time tractor fan.
Ben Barber

Schools Manager
I'm a qualified teacher and I manage our programmes in schools. I love running, historical fiction and time on the golf course.
Annabel Coaker

School Accounts Lead
I lead our relationships with schools. A former Admissions Director, I love the great outdoors and am a proud Latin grammar enthusiast.
Nicole Zietkiewicz

Senior Client Manager
I handle the 1:1 mentoring with our families. Originally from South Africa, I love exercise, reading and have a BA in Social Dynamics.
Laura Campbell

Senior Client Manager
I match mentors with mentees. I am a qualified English teacher and part-way through an MRes in Social Research in Education.
Adam Goodbody

Senior Founders’ Associate
I help the founders with the big questions and strategic direction. I am also an actor, mentor and in training for my first Ironman.
Jess Bibby

Creative Executive
I work alongside the Creative Lead in designing our creative output. I love carpentry and making paddleboards when I have time.
Harry Fancy

Junior Product & Sales Manager
I work on mentor pairing and improving our products. I love scuba diving, playing pool and trying to not kill my plants.
Felix Lahiff

General Manager, Seoul
I head up Oppidan’s work in South Korea. Away from that, I’m a keen photographer and all round Koreaphile!
Cat Sutherland-Hawes

Head of Schools Advisory
I’m a former Director of Admissions, mother of two grown up girls and am passionate about finding the right school for the child.
Jack Dolbey

Pro Mentor
As well as working full time with families, I am a qualified yoga and mindfulness instructor, musician and keen footballer.
Conall McHugh

Pro Mentor
Outside of education, I am lover of all kinds of music who aspires to one day live off home-grown vegetables.
Saul Blankstone

Pro Mentor
I am a Professional Mentor alongside my law conversion course. I am a Swahili speaking, coral conservationist who makes soup and loves mountain adventures.
Alex Cawthron

Pro Mentor
I’m a qualified teacher and Professional Mentor, who loves live music and scoring for my 7-a-side football team!
Alessandra McAllister

Pro Mentor
As well as my work as a Pro Mentor in schools, I'm a massage therapist and writer with a high kung fu kick.
Livvi Jonsson

Pro Mentor
I am a Professional Oppidan Mentor and trained teacher with a love for all things art and music related.