We have an amazing team in Aprender – both in the UK and Brazil.
We’re a UK registered charity and as such have a board of trustees that support, plan and check all is well. We are fortunate to have a wide range of talent and background, ranging from experts in youthwork to top city accountants. We also have advisors from the education, business and charity sectors from both sides of the Atlantic.
Phil Hawkins
Founder and Director of Operations, Brazil
Philip is the founder of Aprender. He has 20 years teaching experience in the UK and has worked in schools with major challenges in the London area.
He has seen that quality education makes a huge difference in the lives of young people. Phil graduated in Environmental Health and later completed a Post Graduation in Education with distinction. He holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and a Diploma in Whole School Evaluation. He has been Deputy Headteacher for 8 years with responsibility for teaching and learning, behaviour mangement and professional development. Phil moved to Brazil with his family in 2010 and is involved in Headteacher and teacher training, mentorship and advising a wide range of professional bodies on education development.
Phil lives in Brazil with wife Gill, and children Harry, 10, and Evie, 8. They’re part of the team too and provide Phil with support, care and most importantly, a constant reminder of why we’re here. As he sees his own children grow, it makes him even more determined to see the lives of other kids in schools across Brazil have the same chances.
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Neil Casey
Chair of Trustees and Director of Operations, UK
Neil is CEO of Wild Goose Consulting and advises a wide range of National and International charities and foundations. He brings a wide range of experience and expertise in the third sector and is passionate to see the UK helping empower young people in Brazil to use education as a route out of poverty.
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Ben and Liz Cole
Operations Team, UK
Ben is Head of Technology in a large high school in Weybridge, Surrey. He has been teaching all aspects of technology for 30 years and is passionate about young people learning actively. He also has wide expertise in areas of media, youthwork and building business links. Ben and his wife Liz moved to Brazil in 2011 with their 12 year old daughter and ran projects in local schools as well as taught technology and information systems in an orphanage. They’re now back in the UK but still very much part of the team.
Liz is an IT consultant, working with organisations such as the BBC. She is also a jazz musician.
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Tom Hostler
Secretary and Safeguarding, UK
Tom is a Head of Year at a large secondary school in Leatherhead, near London. He teaches Modern Foreign Languages. He brings his wide experience of teaching and learning together with pastoral issues to the board. He is developing links between Aprender and Primary and Secondary schools in the South East.
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Keith Creasey
Financial secretary, UK
Keith is a retired bank manager and brings his huge experience to the board. He also has a background in charity work and has family living abroad. This gives him valuable insight into our work and also the pastoral support needed for our field operations.
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Andy Gill
Trustee, with special responsibility for Social Media and Marketing, UK
Andy is founder and manager of ‘The Leatherhead Youth Project’ a successful after schools club. His background in youth services and in e-media is hugely beneficial. Like Tom, Andy’s daily contact with young people help keep Aprender relevant and connected with youth culture.
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Neil Walker
Trustee, UK
Neil works in the IT sector and brings business experience to the Board. He is part of a number of other charities which gives us a wider perspective.
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Flavio Guaratto
Trustee, UK
Flavio is Brazilian and has lived in the UK with his wife and family for 20 years. He has also spent 3 years living in Italy. Flavio brings expertise in working cross culturally and, of course, particularly in working in Brazil. Flavio also has experience in working with Total, our partners and has been a major part of helping Aprender get off the ground.
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David Plummer
Trustee, UK
David works as an advisor to entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and senior teams on strategy, growth, performance and leadership. He works with leaders who challenge consensus and the status quo, with restless people that don’t conform and don’t fit, and stakeholders who believe good business is good for all.
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Fiona Ramsay
Admin, Surrey, UK
Fiona provides our admin support including newsletters and first contacts. She’s a great addition to the team and lives in Fetcham, Surrey.
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Valerie Freeman
Prayer support, Surrey, UK.
Val heads up the Prayer Support part of the team. She is responsible for mailing prayer updates and provides a crucial role in supporting us in the UK and Brazil. She lives in Croydon and is also Phil Hawkins’ sister-in-law!
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