Meet the Directors

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Founder, Director

Clara has worked in higher education for more than a decade in various roles supporting students.  She currently works with students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) and various disabilities, which she finds fulfilling.  As part of that role, Clara also provides learning support for students struggling with their work and is part of her organisation's Access & Participation Steering Group, which seeks to identify disadvantage and take steps to address them.  It is in these various roles that Clara gained insight into the impact of disadvantage on a student's life which starts from their early years.  This inspired her to set up Minding the Gap Education to enable her to make a difference in children's lives and hopefully inspire them to further and higher education, by boosting their providing confidence and aspiration.

Director, Marketing and Fundraising

A Chartered Marketer, John has over 10 years experience of working within the marketing and communications professions. His experience has ranged from working within publishing (including BBC Magazines and Reach Media), the legal sector and the housing sector. During this time John has delivered projects that have gone onto be seen in the Guardian, the Drum and the New Statesman, winning awards in the process. This standout work led to him being invited to become a founding member of the first ever cross-sector marketing committee. John is also a published academic writer with book chapters written on the various impacts on consumer behaviour as well as being an Industry Fellow at Nottingham Trent University.

Currently, John balances two senior marketing roles - one within the United Nations backed the Global Diaspora Confederation and the other within the global-leading certification and training organisation, DNV. His overriding purpose is to use marketing ‘for good.’

John says of joining Minding the Gap Education’s Board: “This isn’t just one of the most profound moments in my career but also my life. It’s a true privilege to join Clara and our fellow Board members as we do all we can to enact the aims of this inspirational organisation and help support as many young people as we can. As someone who didn’t personally find school particularly supportive, it really means a lot to me to be able to help support these bright young minds  and help them overcome any challenges so they can be the best they can be.”