Miguel Queimado

Board Advisor

I am the cofounder of dreamshaper.com which is a platform that supports project based learning for more than 55K students around the world.  When I was invited to the advisory board I really didn’t know how what I did could provide value to them, even though we are both in the business of education. Now I see clearly how my perspective on how online engagement works can support what they are doing, and I love how they are also using techniques and approaches which help the students to create new knowledge.

Laith Gharib

Board Advisor

Education is a fundamental right and as such we have a duty to ensure that all students, particularly vulnerable children, have access to a well thought out and tailored curriculum. Apricot aims to do this and I’m proud to support them in their goal to create this safe and structured learning environment. As a Business Analyst and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) network lead at a large IT organisation, I bring experience in both managing complicated systems and practice working with people from varying backgrounds which I can use to help ensure students are able to get most value out of the Apricot experience.

Stewart Noakes

Chair of Advisory Board

Throughout my career I have also focused time and attention onto projects that support children and education. This has included scholarship programs, bursaries, raising funds for the NSPCC and working with projects that bring about education inclusion. When I met Amy and Jodie I could see in them the inspiration and energy they have for helping students to engage with their education, and what that means to their future. It is an absolute pleasure to be part of their journey. Setting up the advisory board has been our way of creating not only a strategic sounding board for the organisation but also a governance structure that holds the board to account for the way the organisation is run. In particular our key area of focus is how do we grow the impact of the business, in line with its mission to engage students and in line with its values. To that end the members of the advisory board have been energising, engaging and inspirational.

(Ana) Sofia Santos

Board Advisor

As an Innovation Manager involved in a very large, complex construction project I wasn’t sure what I could bring to the advisory board when I was invited, but I was curious to find out.  Soon I could see that my engineering perspective and my project management perspective were incredibly useful in the discussions.   As things develop further I am constantly looking for ways to engage my company, and what we are doing on HS2 with the students of Apricot.

Biraj Nakarja

Board Advisor

Apricot Online gives children a ‘chance’ and parents ‘hope’.  The profound impact that Apricot and their team make to the lives of children who cannot attend mainstream education is quite simply amazing. It’s for this reason that I am delighted to be on Apricot’s advisory board and to be part of their journey in making a greater educational impact on children that need it the most.  My 15+ years of leadership experience in technology and commercial roles, plus first hand experience in establishing children’s after school coding clubs, I hope will bring great support, added value and constructive challenge to the Apricot team.

Glinys Weller

Board Advisor

As the former head of a Virtual School I was delighted to be invited to the advisory board of Apricot Online.  My value on the board is my deep understanding of how Virtual Schools work, and what the priorities are for look after children and those previously in care.

In the team I see a deep passion and sense of meaning in what they do.  They are a purpose led organisation, that is learning what it takes to become a growing business and thereby long term sustainable.

Rob Bosworth

Board Advisor

As the deputy CEO for Exeter College and the Chairman of a large multi academy trust I bring a deep understanding of education and how to help students learn. With Apricot I strive to bring this perspective and inspire the curriculum to be as relevant and supportive as possible.

Mopani Mkandawir

Board Advisor

I have boundless positive energy and I love to help people.  When I was invited to join the advisory board of Apricot I did so before I even realised what it all meant.  It just felt like the right thing to do. As I have discovered more about how the team help students to reengage I’ve taken to my heart the mission and am always looking for ways to help.

Robin Seth

Board Advisor

When I heard about Apricot I immediately saw an opportunity to use two key skills: my programme delivery experience and the contacts I have from having an autistic son. Together with my colleagues on the board we aim to help Apricot meet their vision – to deliver outhandling online education to children unable to attend mainstream schools