The Alumni Leadership Board works closely with the Sutton Trust to advise on the Trust’s work and to develop ways in which the Trust can continue to support its alumni.
(Co-Chair) Kayley Curtis
US Programme 2014
Kayley is from County Down in Northern Ireland. She graduated from University College Dublin in August 2021 with a degree in Commerce, during which time she worked with Microsoft as a Supply Chain Manager and within Operations with Amazon. She has worked as both a financial analyst and buying assistant with Applegreen before pivoting to become a production co-ordinator within factual TV.
Kayley is also the Chairperson for Warrenpoint Comhaltas, a not-for-profit which provides affordable music tuition to make music education accessible to all, and was the UK’s Youth Delegate to COP27 in 2022. Alongside her job, Kayley is currently studying to become a mental health counsellor.
Ask me about…
Muzammil and I would be delighted to hear from all alums on how they have been getting on since their programme, any ideas they have to further develop our alumni community or on anything we may be able to help with
In particular, I would love to hear from alums:
(Co-Chair) Muzammil Malamji
Pathways to Law 2014
Muzammil is an Associate at Clifford Chance working in the firm’s Real Estate group. He has previously worked across the firm’s Corporate and Capital Markets groups on keynote transactions spanning Europe, Asia, Africa and the US. He has further experience working with investment banks, insurers and start-ups.
He holds an LLB in Law from the University of Leicester and a Masters in Law from BPP University, prior to which he attended the Pathways to Law programme with the University of Nottingham. He works with several schools, colleges and universities with the aim of supporting social mobility and has joined the Alumni Leadership Board to further champion the same.
Ask me about…
Feel free to reach out to Muzammil for any questions related to the fields of Law, Finance or Real Estate!
Noshim Ahmed
Pathways to Banking and Finance 2018
Noshim participated in the Pathways to Banking & Finance programme during his time at sixth form. He attended King’s College London and during his time there he chaired the first Career’s Student Advisory Board and was also a Widening Participation Ambassador. He has done internships within asset management, financial data and private markets and is happy to speak with any alumni interested in the financial industry.
Ibrahim Butt
US Programme 2015
Sutton Trust USA Programme 2015 – Cohort 4 – now a Strategic Portfolio Advisor at Newham Borough Council
I decided to get involved with the ALB because the Alumni community at the Sutton Trust is going from strength to strength and the ALB plays a pivotal role in ensuring we build a cohesive and sustainable community that puts forwarding social mobility at its centre. I got involved because I wanted to play a part in pushing us forward both in building community but also in spurring this community into action and pushing our communities and organisations to do more for social mobility.
Ask me about…
Studying in the United States, Management Consulting, Technology & Social Media Policy, Local Government
Mitesh Chotai
UK Summer School 2006
Mitesh is based in the East Midlands and is currently a finance manager for a Swedish manufacturing company. He attended the Sutton Trust Summer School program at the University of Nottingham studying Accounting and Finance. He then went on to study Business and Management at the University of Salford before taking up his current role. He is interested in other cultures and passionate about social mobility, which is what attracted him back to a role within the Alumni Board. He is particularly interested in different cultures and the impacts on social mobility.
Ask me about…
Anything finance-related from university course selection to questions about different finance roles. I would love to chat to alumni about their ideas and areas of interest.
Stephen Fajemilusi
UK Summer School 2020
I’m from South London and I took part in the Sutton Trust Cambridge Summer School in 2020. I’m currently studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
Initially, I believed people like me didn’t attend universities like Cambridge. However, the Sutton Trust gave me the confidence to apply to Cambridge, where I now study. Experiencing its benefits, I wondered how many students with immense potential disregard university due to societal barriers. At university, I’ve been an Access Officer, Ambassador, and a Student Mentor, helping others overcome educational challenges. The Sutton Trust’s ALB involvement furthers my goal to break down these barriers.
Ask me about…
Careers and/or education advice, personal development, diversity, social mobility.
Emily Gissing
UK Summer School 2014
After the Sutton Trust Summer School in 2014, Emily went on to study Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Southampton. She experienced a mechanical engineering placement at Leonardo, before moving into Technology at London Stock Exchange group. She is currently working in ForexClear as a Software Engineer but has experienced many roles through the Graduate & Internship programmes. Emily assists in outreach projects as part of the LSEG Foundation, as well as volunteering as a Mentor / Role Model for Urban Synergy and with Stemettes. She is passionate about helping those from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds to pursue careers in technology.
Ask me about…
Ridhka Kakkar
Sutton Trust Online 2021
I’m from Hampshire and did the Sutton Trust Online programme. I’m currently pursuing a degree apprenticeship with the civil service, working with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) alongside studying for my BSc in Economics at the University of Kent.
I wanted to get involved with the ALB because I believe social mobility is important post-18 as well but doesn’t happen so often and I’ve found the Sutton Trust alumni offering really useful so far. I wanted to be a part of the team that supported its development to learn more about new areas and continue to support others in their post-18 opportunities.
Ask me about…
Anything apprentice-related or how to juggle working & studying at the same time. How to look for opportunities in your area of interest.
Sofia Lewis
UK Summer School 2013
Sofia is from and currently lives in Port Talbot, South Wales. She attended the University of Cambridge Summer School 2013 for Modern Languages. Being the first in my family to enter higher education, she graduated from University of Bristol in 2018 with a First in Italian and Spanish BA. She now works as a freelance journalist and creative consultant. She has written for The Independent, VICE and Cosmopolitan, all with a particular focus on social justice, and most recently is working as a researcher on a documentary series. She is also a Project Co-ordinator of A Writing Chance, a scheme co-founded by Michael Sheen to support aspiring writers from under-represented backgrounds by providing mentoring, bursaries and more. She has long been passionate about social mobility and equality, with a particular focus on increasing opportunities for under-represented voices in the media and creative industries. She firmly believes that when we open up access to these sectors, we can all benefit from a richer culture and a fairer, more democratic society. She is particularly excited to contribute to this goal through the ALB. She has long admired and been influenced by Sutton Trust’s work around Access to the Workplace, and was compelled to be part of shaping policy and direction through joining the ALB.
Ask me about…
Journalism, media and the creative industries, as well as translation and advice about working internationally. She also has a special interest in increasing opportunities for alumni based in Wales.
Neil McCallum
UK Summer School 2011
Neil is a Senior Translation Project manager at Etymax working across their global portfolio with clients spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. He manages their Central and Eastern European departments, is former French lead, and has experience in Chinese having worked in Education Management in Chengdu. He frequently conducts intern and student training, and holds an MSc in Central and Eastern European, Russian and Eurasian studies from the University of Glasgow, and an BA in Modern Languages from the University of Exeter. He has also studied at Saint Petersburg State University, Kazan Federal University, and the University of West Bohemia as a language scholarship recipient, and won the 2022 UK entry for the Susanna Roth Czech Young Translators’ Prize. He took part in the Sutton Trust Summer School at St Andrew’s in 2011.
Ask me about…
Translation and localisation industries, international education opportunities, living and working abroad.
Mary Osofisan
Pathways to Law 2014
Mary grew up in Hackney, inner-city London and strongly advocates for social mobility and diversity. After graduating from the Pathways to Law Programme in 2014, she studied law at the University of Essex. In her third year of University, Mary studied abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Whilst in Hong Kong, she volunteered at a local primary school and participated in various projects. Upon her return, Mary sat as the BAME Officer for the Students’ Union to help cultivate better experiences and opportunities for students from ethnic minority backgrounds.
She also co-founded the University of Essex TEDx Society, which hosted the University’s first-ever student-run TEDx Live event. After graduating, Mary was fortunate to get a full scholarship from the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme and has completed the Legal Practice Course with a Master in Law Business and Management at The University of Law. She currently works as a Trainee Solicitor.
Ask me about…
Volunteering, university, studying/living abroad, scholarships, project management.
Maisie Outhart
UK Summer School 2019
I’m from York and I did the Sutton Trust Summer School in Durham in 2019. Having recently just graduated from The University of Manchester, I’m looking for grad jobs and building my media portfolio.
I know from my own experience how valuable The Sutton Trust can be for academic success. I’m also motivated by where we – and the entire sector – could improve, specifically focusing more on regional inequalities.
Ask me about…
My specialist interests and knowledge are in the media and political campaigning. Specifically, I am a skilled copy editor and I have a growing network of reliable media professionals who are always keen to get involved in interesting projects.
Philip Piper
UK Summer School 2020
Philip is a second-year student studying Economics and Mathematics at the University of Glasgow. Having grown up in a rural Scottish community, his goal is to increase opportunities in these areas and help widen access to higher education.
Philip is also a part of the trading and investment club at his university with an interest in the financial world. Outside of his studies, he also enjoys bodybuilding.
Thonmoy Rahman
UK Summer School 2020
Thonmoy is a second-year medical student at the Hull York Medical School. They attended the Cambridge Medicine Sutton Trust Summer School in 2020. They are currently a student ambassador involved with local Sutton Trust projects, and the Student Research Society, along with fundraising for charity. They have joined the Sutton Trust as an alumni board member due their interest in furthering social mobility.
Fiorella Gallardo Sarti
Pathways to Law 2018
I’m from Barranquilla in Colombia and moved to Liverpool, where I did the Pathways to Law programme in 2018. I’ve recently graduated from Christ College, University of Cambridge and I also took part in the Sutton Trust Careers Plus and Opportunity Bursary programmes. I’m currently taking a little break to focus on some personal projects including an academic advisory firm, learning Italian, coding and travelling!
I wanted to give back to the Trust which has provided me with so many opportunities and support throughout the year, whilst taking a position of leadership. I am curious to see the backstage of how ideas are turned into actionable projects. Lastly, I want to increase awareness and visibility on issues relating to student finance and the way it affects students not born in the UK!
Ask me about…
Studying at Oxbridge; interview preparation; studying law; personal statement help; cover letter help; help with student finance.
Warrick Scaife
Pathways to Banking and Finance 2020
I originally grew up in rural South Africa and in my early teens moved to the West Midlands where I completed secondary and sixth form. During this time I took part in the Pathways to Banking and Finance Programme in 2019/2020. I’m currently in my final year studying BSc Economics at the University of Warwick.
Having participated in numerous Sutton Trust programs, actively contributing to various summer schools and events, I believed I possessed the necessary insights to provide valuable input to the ALB. Additionally, I felt it was my moment to contribute and support fellow students as they navigate their own educational paths.
Ask me about…
Anything regarding university, whether it be applications, experience, I have had a lot of experience mentoring students prior to joining university. Additionally, anything regarding the field of economics, particularly financial economics.
Helena Trebichavska
UK Summer School 2015
I’m from Bristol and participated in the Geography summer school at Durham University in 2015. I studied Geography and History at Durham University and got involved with widening participation by being a Student Ambassador and Mentor while also getting involved with student theatre and volunteering around welfare and mental health. After graduating I worked for the North East Uni Connect Programme to widen participation across the North East before moving to Liverpool in 2023. I now work at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, working with schools and colleges across the UK to support progression onto higher education as well as running widening participation programmes such as summer schools.
I decided to get involved with the ALB because attending the Sutton Trust summer school in 2015 was a lifechanging experience for me and since then I’ve been involved in the Sutton Trust as a student mentor and then as part of my full-time job. I feel like the ALB is a unique opportunity to have a real impact on the organisation while also meeting other people who are passionate about social mobility.
Ask me about…
Navigating university and working while disabled, working in widening participation, student theatre, volunteering.
Jack Winterton
US Programme 2012
I’m from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. I was on the first ever US Sutton Trust programme.
I’m a researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE). I’m also involved in the mental health support and community building for students in my role as a Warden in the Residential Life team.
I decided to get involved with the ALB because being a young person in post-financial crash, post-Brexit, post-Covid Britain is full of challenges and I want to dedicate some of my time to supporting Sutton Trust alumni to navigate their next steps in life.
I think that the ALB is a great opportunity for me to support the continuing growth of a network of change makers.
Ask me about…
A career in academia, mental health and wellbeing support work, part-time MSc degrees, art and inequality, moving to London and vegan baking!