MEET OUR TEAM
Our team are a fantastic bunch. Push presenters are talented, engaging, funny and, critically, well-informed. They all undertake a thorough and on-going training programme, meaning they're always clued-up on the latest developments in higher education, employability...and they've professional training in performance. The rest of our team, who keep the Push outreach engine well-greased, are wonderful too, and we couldn't do what we do without them. All our team have an enhanced DBS.
JOHNNY RICH
Founder and CEO Johnny is a consultant in higher education and careers of 25 years' experience. His clients include the European Commission, HEFCE (now OFS), HEPI, the OFS, Oxford University, and global HE comparison tool U-Multirank. Since founding Push in 1992, Johnny has built it into an influential social enterprise providing information, advice and research about choices and employability. Push runs an award-winning programme of outreach and staff training events that visits 100s of schools and colleges each year. Johnny was also a Director of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE). As a contributor to various think tanks and strategy bodies, Johnny contributes widely to policy debates on education, careers, wider participation and social mobility - including spearheading projects on school-leaver recruitment and on work-related learning. With degrees from the Universities of Durham and East Anglia, he is also Chief Executive of the Engineering Professors’ Council: the voice of engineering in UK higher education. and appears regularly on television and radio and is author of the highly acclaimed novel The Human Script. Want to see Johnny's 90 Second Guides on revision, study skills, student finance and more? One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "It would have been helpful if someone had told me that 'catered accommodation’ would not mean a guaranteed, balanced diet within my budget. I ended up living on choccy Hobnobs and black coffee." |
MOJ TAYLOR
Business Development and lead presenter Moj is an Edinburgh Fringe First winning actor, and stand up comedian. He was selected for the BBC's Stand Up If You Dare competition for new comics - being mentored in comedy by Jasper Carrott. He was the first Taylor of his family to graduate a higher education course, reading Hispanic Studies & Drama from Queen Mary University of London before undertaking an MA in Acting at Drama Centre London (UAL). He has featured in various commercial campaigns (Asics, Nivea, Mazda, Lexus, Movember) and has delivered over 3,000 workshops to teenagers across the UK via Push and ComedyClub4Kids. He is also a PADI Divemaster, and has assisted on various conservation projects on seagrass and carbon emissions in the UK and The Baltic Sea. He is passionate about getting young people to scuba dive, as a way to develop their focus, soft skills, self-confidence and resilience. He is also a proud ambassador for the charity Freedom from Abuse, running Caught for Court presentations to 1,000s of children and teenagers on the dangers of county lines gangs, knife and drug crime and the realities of prison life. Want to see Moj's 90 Second Guides on university, employability, apprenticeships and more? One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "The mystery goldfish that turns up in your room is apparently not allowed to be kept in your student accommodation (at my uni, at least). I kept it anyway. Point being? No 2 unis are ever the same so do your research. Explore their wondrous differences; it's up to you to decide which one is 'best'." |
ArOn tennant
Talks and editorial manager Aron is the Talks and Editorial manager and designated GDPR Data Controller for Push. He is originally from South Yorkshire and has a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Sheffield. He also has a MA degree in Creative Play and Screenwriting from City, University of London and came runner up in Nickelodeon's international screenwriting competition in 2018 and his short film ''Donkey Tooth' was screened at the London Raindance Film Festival in 2018. He is part of the comedy sketch group Next Level sketch, writes articles for JumpcutOnline.com, is IMDB credited and is working on his own independent film, TV and theatre projects. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "I wish I had been told that the experience of going to University is much more than just getting your degree and the importance of getting involved in things that aren’t just course related, particularly in your first year." |
IBRAHIM FAROUK SESAY
presenter Ibrahim graduated from the University of Kent, after previously studying at the BRIT School London. As well as being a Push speaker, he is an actor, stand up comedian, inclusive theatre practitioner for Shed in London, and a sketch writer. He is also a facilitator for NCS. He often jokes about how many things he is doing at any one time but says "I'm basically being paid to do the things I love". Ibs had the opportunity to study at two different unis in two different continents, which he feels gave him a wealth of experience when discussing the wonderful variety of education and course options with teenagers. He hopes his experience and passion will help young people make informed and educated decisions about what they want to do in the future, based on personal wellbeing and living each day with vigour. d educated decisions about what they want to do in the future. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "The chance to study abroad would not of happened if it wasn’t for the impartial help of my careers advisors and teachers (which boosted my own research and my thinking): these people are human beings who have been through the same stresses as you at your age...but they can only help you if you're willing to open up to them about your hopes, fears and dreams." |
LORNA SHAW
presenter Lorna is an actor, writer and comedian based in London. She performs regularly on the stand-up circuit (and at the Edinburgh Fringe) and her sketch comedy has been heard on BBC Radio 4. She has also been a finalist in the Funny Women and Musical Comedy Awards and performed sell-out shows to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh fringe with duo That Pair who's 2013 show transferred to the Soho Theatre in 2014. She is part of the leading improv school, The Free Association, performing regularly on their in-house teams, My Brother Jose and the Ladies of FA County. Her website is lornashawcomedy.com. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "I wish someone had told me that I don't have to panic and take the first thing that comes along! Whether that's a university place or a job or an apprenticeship. Be choosy and ask lots of questions. Also, if you make the wrong choice, you're one step closer to knowing what you actually want to do." |
STEPHEN BRADLEY
presenter Stephen is from Derry, Northwest Ireland and is an actor based in London. He was a student of the Guildford School of Acting, where he received a BA in Acting on graduation. He has worked in both Theatre and Film/TV across Ireland and the UK. His main love in life, after performing, is putting BBQ sauce on anything. He is an avid messenger of the idea of doing what you love, and loving what you do. When he is not eating BBQ sauce or performing, he is doing yoga, drinking tea or reading a book (sometimes all three at the same time). Want to see Stephen's 90 Second Guides on interview tips and your choices? One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "I wished I’d known that at 18 I didn't have to have it all figured out! If I’d allowed myself room to breathe and found out more about what made me tick then I’d have gone to Uni more rounded than I did. Give. Yourself. TIME" |
LINDSEY BROWN
presenter Lindsey originally took a degree in Interactive Art and had a short career in marketing before changing direction. After taking a PGCE in post compulsory education she worked for over 10 years at a 6th form college with gifted and talented, and widening participation students; developing activities to raise aspirations, develop study and employability skills, improve progression and strengthen competitive university applications. Lindsey now works as a freelancer on a number of education and university led public involvement projects. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: "That although you don’t have to know what you want to do with your life before you go to university, you do need to think about it while you are there. If I’d realised that I would have looked at what opportunities the university would give me to prepare for the next stage of my life." |
GUY REYNOLDS
EDITORIAL AND MEDIA TRAINEE Guy is a graduate of Cardiff University with a BA in Ancient History and an MA in Ancient and Medieval Warfare. He was the first person in his family that went into postgraduate study after securing his undergraduate degree. Guy’s plan is to gain his doctorate and spend his life studying increasingly niche areas of history. Guy has lots of experience working with wild animals, from Falconry Centres to Wetherspoons, and he loves anything to do with books. One thing I wish I could tell myself at 18: Don’t be afraid of making mistakes – its one of the best things you can do in life and the easiest way to learn and grow. And talking of mistakes: get rid of the ponytail. |
KITKAT ANDERSON
EDITORIAL AND MEDIA TRAINEE Kitkat graduated from ACM in 2019 with a business degree. At university, she was chief editor and a top writer for the university ezine. In her spare time, she also enjoys creative writing, both poetry and prose. She spent a lot of time growing up in youth drama and music groups, and has never been afraid to be outspoken, which perhaps led her to performance poetry! Kitkat strongly believes that it is okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. She feels there is a lot of pressure to be perfect, which is not healthy or realistic, especially for young people. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: “It’s okay to be certain of what you want. It’s okay to be unsure. It’s okay to make the wrong choice or to change your mind halfway through if you realise it is not for you. It’s okay for university to be a speed run, or to redo a year because you spent it… building character. The most important part of your education is you, whether it takes place at university, apprenticeships, or somewhere else. So, remember to keep yourself at the centre of it.” |
Karis weightman
TRAINEE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 
|
BETH LANE
TRAINEE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Beth studied Human Geography at the University of Manchester, she loves learning about new people and places. She did her dissertation on The impact of Inequalities on Social Mobility and through Push hopes to try and break the barriers young people face. She had the best time at uni, but wishes she had spent less time sleeping in and more time exploring a new city. One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making a choice at 18: Everyone’s path is different so don’t compare yourself to others. There’s no rush to figure everything out so spend time working out what you want out of life. Also push yourself out of your comfort zone more- these end up being the best experiences! edit. |
ANISHA MINOCHA
y13 Student ambassador Anisha is a sixth form student from Manchester, hoping to study English Literature and Spanish at university. She is a passionate writer and poet whose work has been published in anthologies, magazines, blogs and won competitions. Contributing to Sink Magazine, she is keen to utilize the voice of young people and share work through her creative writing blog. As a climate activist, she has combined her love for words and the planet in a performance of spoken word at the Royal Exchange Theatre in 'Letters to the Earth'. She also co-runs Young Friends of the Earth: Manchester and has organised workshops, participated in panels and spoken at Manchester Cathedral. What would you tell to other uk students about their wellbeing through school?: It’s important to look after your wellbeing at all times, and not just when your particularly stressed and anxious like exam season. If you get into the habit of looking after yourself it becomes easier when you need balance and focus the most! |
|
THOMAS LI
media editor Having studied BA (Hons) Contemporary Media Practice at University of Westminster, Thomas has continued to discover his skills within the media industry, having worked with moving image, motion graphics and new media installation practices within his course. He continues to further his knowledge in video editing. In his spare time, he is a Youtuber, photographer and social media enthusiast. Want to see some of the 90 Second Guides Thomas has helped Push produce? One thing I wish I could tell my younger self about making as choice at 18: “Don’t 100% expect to know what your future career is by 18. It’s never too late to further discover your skills. Progress at your own pace and don’t bring yourself down by comparing yourself to others. Everyone has an opportunity and as long as you keep working at it, you’ll be building yourself step-by-step. Everyone makes mistakes, just learn from them and turn that into a lesson. Every step counts.” |