Meet the Team
With over 15 years of experience in secondary education, most recently as a Deputy Headteacher at a large secondary school, Charlotte witnessed first-hand the critical importance of high-quality careers education and meaningful employer engagement in shaping young people’s futures. She saw talented students who simply needed the right connections, experiences, and insights to unlock their potential—and was inspired to help make that happen on a county-wide scale.
Starting her career as a science and maths teacher before progressing into senior leadership, Charlotte understands the challenges schools face and the pressures on careers leaders. She also knows what is possible when schools, colleges, employers, and local partners work together with a shared vision. This belief drew her to the role of Strategic Hub Lead: the opportunity to drive sustainable change not just in one school, but across the entire Kent and Medway region.
In her current role, Charlotte leads the strategic development of the Kent and Medway Careers Hub, collaborating with schools, colleges, employers, and key stakeholders to ensure all young people have access to world-class careers education aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks and local economic priorities. She is particularly passionate about transforming work experience into something modern and meaningful for young people and building collaborative partnerships that open doors of opportunity across the region. Charlotte believes the best outcomes come from bringing people together, empowering teams, and creating a shared sense of purpose to improve career prospects for every young person in Kent and Medway.
Having been a Youth Coach and Schools Adviser for the Department of Work and Pensions, I am passionate about young people being supported to raise their aspirations, fulfil their full potential and to be happy and successful in life. Since leaving school I have journeyed through a career in dancing, performing and teaching which has taken me around the world, finally completing a BA Hons Degree in Professional Practice, Arts and the Creative Industries as a mature student. This journey as taught me that no matter what path you are on, with the right skills, motivation and perseverance any future is possible.
Being an Enterprise Coordinator enables me to support the delivery of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance in schools and colleges across West Kent, ensuring young people reach their best next steps.
In his current role, Owen works with Kent and Medway Careers Hub to help improve the quality of Careers Education in Educational Establishments. He also chairs 'Participation Meetings' which are attended by secondary schools, colleges, training providers and other services attend.
Owen enjoys his role because he gets to work with a great team who strive hard every single day to help achieve great outcomes for young people. This motivates him to do the same and while there are constant barriers to overcome, Owen enjoys being in a role where he can help make changes to overcome these barriers.
I have worked in the Education Sector since 2012, Level 7 qualified in Careers Management since 2016. I have created, facilitated and delivered careers activities and Careers Advice to students across a diverse sector, supporting schools, colleges, PRU’s and secure education settings to deliver extensive CEIAG.
I have a strong belief that young people that are encouraged to understand their own unique set of skills, qualities and interests and to continually reflect on these to support self-discovery and aspirations, will provide a diverse and sustainable workforce for our future. I am therefore passionate about providing all young people with the tools, support and guidance during their schooling years to enable them to fulfil their potential.
The majority of my career has been spent working with the vulnerable cohort within education, both in mainstream secondary education and as part of the Youth Justice and prison estate. I strongly believe in inspiring all young people to develop their future aspirations.
Passionate about motivating, encouraging ownership, independent choice, and improving life chances, I understand the importance of careers education. Early exposure to careers programmes and industry information has proven to motivate and inspire young people, and allow them to develop their knowledge, understanding and skill set in preparation for the world of work.
With commitment and passion, I will be supporting Careers Leaders and Enterprise Advisers in Kent to ensure the best possible outcomes for their young people.
I have worked for a main high street bank for over 25 years, supporting SMEs as a Relationship Manager before embarking on a career change. My role in the bank enabled me to gain a greater understanding of the challenges that businesses face, particularly when recruiting staff. I found it fascinating to hear business owners’ career journeys and the barriers that they had overcome… raising glass ceilings and entrepreneurial mindsets!
I am particularly passionate about supporting young people with SEND and disadvantaged young people.
In my role at the Kent and Medway Careers Hub I support Careers Leaders across Medway to deliver an exciting and engaging careers curriculum, encouraging every young person to find their next best step. The world of work is an ever-changing landscape and it is vital that every young person is ready to take the next step.
During this time, she has developed extensive experience supporting schools, colleges, employers, and wider stakeholders to improve career education, participation, and progression outcomes for young people across Kent. Alongside her professional experience, Zara completed the Level 4 Diploma in Careers Information and Advice.
With a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a particular interest in educational psychology, Zara is passionate about ensuring that education and career opportunities are accessible and inclusive to everyone. She believes that high-quality careers education plays a vital role in helping young people reaching their potential and achieving positive long-term outcomes.
She is committed to supporting schools in creating meaningful employer encounters, strengthening careers provision, and ensuring young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in education, employment, and training.
Throughout her career, she has supported vulnerable young people to overcome barriers, improve wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes through tailored interventions, partnership working and person-centred support.
Before joining the Kent and Medway Careers Hub, Polly worked as an Engagement Officer for The Education People, supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET by providing careers information, advice and guidance and helping them explore and access post-16 opportunities.
Drawing on her extensive experience in safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing, Polly understands the importance of providing young people with the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to make informed decisions about their future.
She believes that every young person deserves access to high-quality careers education and meaningful experiences that help them recognise their strengths and aspirations.
Polly is passionate about working with Careers Leaders and employers to support the development of inclusive and impactful careers programmes that enable all young people to succeed.
With over 24 years of experience in education across both primary and secondary settings, including serving as a Headteacher, Ewa has dedicated her career to supporting young people to achieve their potential and make informed decisions about their futures. Throughout her career, she has seen the transformative impact that high quality careers education and meaningful employer engagement can have in raising aspirations, broadening horizons, and helping learners understand the opportunities available to them.
Having worked closely with students, staff, parents, and wider community partners, Ewa understands both the opportunities and challenges schools face in delivering outstanding careers provision. She is passionate about ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, has access to the knowledge, experiences, and support they need to take their next best step with confidence.
In her role as Careers Consultant with the Kent and Medway Careers Hub, Ewa supports Careers Leaders across Medway to develop and deliver ambitious, inclusive, and engaging careers programmes. By bringing together schools, colleges, employers, and local organisations, she helps create meaningful connections between education and the world of work, ensuring that all young people are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration needed to thrive in a rapidly changing future.
Brought to you by
