Ariana’s journey to becoming an educational expert began early in her career as a lawyer, inspired by the idea of being able to make a difference in people’s lives. Having started as a human rights consultant for the United Nations she went on to train as a solicitor in the City, spending several years at some of the top law firms, both in the UK and the US. While the work was dynamic and exciting, Ariana felt there was room for more.

Still a solicitor, she began volunteering with an extraordinary educational charity, ‘One Degree’ – first as a mentor and then as a trustee – helping them structure an engaging and tailored educational mentoring programme. And so the first seeds of Figtree were planted. Through her work with One Degree, Ariana learnt that one-to-one tuition could change the course of a child’s future. Always conscious of this impact, she carefully selects skilled, inspiring and dedicated tutors. With the patience and intuition to take a tailored approach, and supported by the Figtree training team, each tutor is determined to cultivate their students’ self-belief to see them maximise their potential and achieve the best they can.

Founding Figtree has given Ariana the opportunity to distill her unwavering passion into a unique approach, blurring the lines between tutoring and mentoring. Providing diligent, one-to-one time and attention is at the core of Figtree’s mission. Keeping charitable activities at the forefront, Ariana and the team hope to enable individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to have access to tutoring and mentoring. “With Figtree, and its affiliations in the non-profit sector, we hope to continue to provide professional, nurturing support that inspires children to set their own goals – and achieve them”.

Lizzie studied Drama and Spanish at Exeter University. After graduating, she spent ten years working for some of London’s top advertising and design agencies, where she project managed campaigns for multi-national brands.

With a wealth of experience juggling multiple projects and stakeholders at any one time, Lizzie is perfectly placed to meet the needs of our Figtree team, and all of our families. She is also a governor of Harris Academy East Dulwich, which is part of the Harris Federation, the top performing multi-academy trust.

A founding member of a prominent educational charity, Misa brings her passion for learning to the Figtree team as Strategy Director. During her MBA at London Business School, Misa was instrumental in setting up, and securing funding for, an educational charity that supports disadvantaged students in London. Since this life-changing experience, mentoring and nurturing talent have been at the core of Misa’s career.

Experienced in creating digitally-enabled businesses, Misa’s role as Strategy Director is to support Figtree’s growth into new markets, managing marketing across channels and ensuring best commercial practices are met.

Misa is also Figtree’s resident university application expert. Supporting undergraduate and postgraduate applications, Misa’s students have gone on to study at leading institutions across the UK, US and France. She has extensive personal and professional experience of the French education system, following her French Baccalauréat with International Option in Paris, and law degree with London School of Economics and Panthéon-Assas Université Paris II.

With her charitable background, and a strong-held belief that education should be accessible to all, the Figtree Foundation is a project close to Misa’s heart. She is committed to developing free tailored tuition to support students in need, delivering the Foundation’s mission for equality in education through everything she does.

Richard has been working in education since 2006 as a Geography teacher, Head of Department, Lead Geography Consultant and most recently as Vice Principal for Harris Academy Wimbledon where he oversees Teaching & Learning and Curriculum Development. He is a former Governor of a top-performing girl’s school in Bromley.

Richard has a First Class Degree in Geography from the University of Exeter and a Masters from UCL in Curriculum Studies in which he achieved a Distinction. His main interest in how theories in Cognitive Science can be used to improve long term memory and retention of knowledge.

A lead lawyer for the Department for Education, Irum works at the forefront of educational developments and departmental policy. She is adept at navigating school systems in both a professional and personal capacity, and has an in-depth understanding of the nuances of the independent school sector. Successfully leading her three children through the 11-Plus to secure places at London’s top independent schools, Irum is very familiar with the unique challenges this demanding exam poses.

With her methodical approach, keen attention to detail and diverse experience working across public and private sectors, Irum brings passion and professionalism to the Figtree team. She is the Governor of a leading independent primary school in North London, where she draws on her strategic skills and knowledge of the education sector to help create the best possible learning environment.

Having attended a number of top independent schools herself, Sarah has first-hand experience of the sector, all the way from pre-school to sixth form. She graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Law from Cambridge University, and has worked as a City lawyer for over 19 years – most recently as General Counsel for a large international law firm. Responsible for the firm’s regulatory compliance and risk management, Sarah built up a team of over 50 lawyers and risk professionals, working across multiple locations. Throughout her professional career, she has trained, coached and mentored her colleagues to ensure optimal individual and team performance.

Sarah has three children who are all currently studying at top independent schools in South London. Drawing on her personal experience as a pupil and a mother, she is passionate about helping children and young adults to find the school or university that will meet their needs and enable them to flourish.

Benedict has 25 years’ experience working in British private schools – with 10 years in senior schools as a teacher, tutor and boarding housemaster, followed by 14 years of headship in leading boarding prep schools and a London day prep. He has been a governor within the Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust in Havering for the past six years, has served as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, ISI, and is an accredited mentor.

Benedict brings a broad overview of the independent school sector from age three to 18, in co-educational and single sex, and boarding and day settings. This perspective, and his deep knowledge of the transition requirements at each stage – as well as his many close contacts within schools – means he can offer a highly informed and impartial view across children’s entire educational journey.

Benedict also taught English in Le Puy, France, and he has a degree in French Language and Literature from UCL. He began his working life in the City before moving into education.

Complementing her own excellent academic record, accomplished mathematics graduate Rudi already has several years’ agency and independent tutoring experience under her belt. Working with a wide range of students from their first years at primary school, all the way to university entrance, Rudi has seen her pupils successfully through 11+, 13+, GCSE, AS-level, A-level and SAT exams.

Having studied mathematical education as part of her degree, Rudi is well versed on the different ways in which she can bring her subject to life. Through her tailored, confidence-boosting support, she’s keen to ensure every student gets to grips with this fundamental subject.

Rudi isn’t just our resident maths expert. An avid reader and keen writer, she was initially accepted at several top universities to study English. Having completed a number of creative writing courses after her degree, Rudi now supports students with both their English literature and language studies. She also works with our university applicants on their personal statements, and helps prepare them for their interviews.

Energetic, experienced and eager to put the fun back into her subjects, Rudi plays a passionate part in our core tutoring team.

Eve graduated in 2012 from the University of Bristol with a first-class honours degree in Theatre, Film and Television. Following her Masters in Text and Performance at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and Birkbeck College, Eve embarked on a successful career as an actress, writer and director.

Turning her knowledge and experience to the world of tutoring, Eve now shares her passion for theatre, film and literature with students of all ages. Her background in performance theory and practice has proven invaluable to some of our A-level and university students, whom she has supported with subjects as diverse as documentary and world cinema, to architecture and globalisation.

With a skill set that covers elocution, accent training, voice coaching, playwriting and audition techniques, she has successfully prepared students for entry to the Central School of Speech and Drama, the film department at the University of Columbia and the International Section of the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle.

Engaging, inspiring and with a genuine passion for her craft, Eve leverages her creative background to bring a joy to all her sessions.

Established English tutor and accomplished writer, Khaled is the founder of Figtree’s first creative writing class. Having studied English at the American University of Beirut, Khaled graduated with distinction and spent the next 10 years working as an English teacher in Paris. He joined the Figtree team two years ago and specialises in tutoring English comprehension, French and creative writing.

Khaled has a wealth of experience in preparing pupils for the 11+ and GCSE exams, and his creative writing classes help students of all ages improve their hold on the English language, across a whole range of academic pursuits. As a skilled writer himself, Khaled inspires confidence and passion in students and parents alike. His nurturing approach, imagination and sheer dedication will bring the creative spirit out of anyone.