Operations Team

Louise Stevens - Operations Manager

Louise profile pic smallLouise graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in French and History. After graduation, she pursued a career in marketing for a group of English Language Schools, where she became Group Marketing Manager. During this time, she promoted international education programmes to students across the world, working with students from South America, Asia, and Europe.

After the birth of her children, Louise retrained as a teacher, and during this time she was Curriculum Leader for both Science and English. She became passionate about the importance of reading for pleasure for all children and experienced first-hand how supporting children to develop a love of reading early in life benefited all areas of their education. Most recently, she has worked as a private tutor supporting children on a one-to-one basis in a variety of areas including exam preparation and Special Educational Needs support. It was during this time that she got involved with The Beacon Scholarship and Leadership Programme as a Target Sheet Mentor and has thoroughly enjoyed supporting Beacon Scholars on their leadership journeys.

In her spare time, Louise enjoys all manner of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, kayaking, and gardening. She is treasurer for her local scout group and can often be seen out and about with her beloved retired greyhound.

 


Kate Saraceno - Operations Executive

Kate smallKate has a degree in English and began her career working in the charity sector before moving into local government as a Care Manager, working closely with local families and communities. Kate retrained as a teacher in 2005 and is a skilled practitioner of early reading, writing and maths. She has a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination and as an Inclusion Lead has strategically led whole school special education provision as well as training colleagues and leading a team of dedicated support staff.

Alongside family life, Kate enjoys a challenge and last year climbed Moel Siabod in Snowdonia, Wales. She is a keen hiker and runner, having completed three half marathons and several off-road trail-runs. As a volunteer with her local scout group, Kate helps to manage activities such as hikes, camps, first aid training and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards. Kate can often be found with her labradoodle Willow, who shares her love of the great outdoors. 

 


Farzanah Samuels - Leadership Curriculum Manager

Farzanah small 3Farzanah lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa and has a passion for transformative experiences for youth in African communities by creating inspiring learning content for strong student engagement. After graduating from Sans Souci High School for Girls in Cape Town, Farzanah trained and worked in insurance, investment, and financial planning for the financial services group Sanlam. She came to London and continued her career in finance for global investment management firms Jones Lang LaSalle and MWB Group Holdings. 

In 2011, Farzanah changed direction after realising she wanted to help uplift African students and work with people. She returned to South Africa, and for 10 years worked in the education space as a corporate trainer, principally for Swiss International Airlines and the Lufthansa Group, covering topics in product and service delivery, and organisational development. She travelled frequently to Switzerland and Germany to help design new training concepts focused on leading change, driving business growth, and fostering talent in the aviation industry. In 2017, she undertook undergraduate studies in Adult and Community Education & Training at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She was active in various roles including curriculum design for an NGO focusing on Life Skills for youth development, and tutoring young students at UCT in reading and writing for academic improvement.

Farzanah is currently carrying out postgraduate research studying the experience and use of technologies for online learning in an African context. 

 


Zaheera Rajab - Leadership Curriculum Executive

Zaheera smallZaheera Rajab is a sociolinguistic researcher by training and an educator by choice. She graduated cum laude, with a Master’s in Education in 2023 (Applied Language and Literacy Studies) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion in education stems from growing up in a post-Apartheid South Africa, and having to overcome the difficulties posed by being a “born-free” in a society where inequalities and oppression endure. Throughout her career, Zaheera has worn many hats - from educator to researcher to activist. She served as a Peace Ambassador, representing the United Nations’ SDGs, advocating for social justice and equality at the age of 15. As an educator, Zaheera has taught students from France, Germany, Spain, South Africa and several Latin American countries. She has acted as a mentor for students at the University of Cape Town and also been involved with organisations such as UNESCO's Institute for Lifelong Learning and the University of Cape Town’s UN Association of South Africa chapter, showcasing her passion for education and human rights. Over the course of her career, she strives to contribute to education initiatives in Africa and beyond, empowering students and developing Africa's next leaders. This is what drew Zaheera towards the Beacon, wherein she endeavours to contribute towards its longevity, help more young people follow their academic dreams, and educate scholars about the tools they need to succeed. For fun, she raises stray cats, learns new languages (Spanish at the moment) and aims to try something new every week.

 


Jay Surti - Alumni Manager

Jay Photo smallJay graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in Civil Engineering and then went on to pursue a legal career as a litigator and Solicitor Advocate for 17 years. She lives and works in London.

Alongside her legal career, Jay discovered a passion for personal development and has continued developing leadership and coaching skills ever since. She is also trained in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) and has considerable expertise in effective communication and presentation skills.

After leaving the law, Jay now consults with clients across many industry sectors and writes books and speaks on the topics of presentation skills and personal brand. She has headed up mentoring programmes and coached undergraduates and professionals at all levels. Jay has a particular interest in working with women in leadership.

As an alum of Dundee University, she has been a non executive member of the Governing body for the past 4 years as well as a member of the People & Organisational Development Committee.

Alongside her other professional interests, Jay has been working with the Beacon since 2016 developing and delivering leadership programmes.

 


Jean Cooke - Financial Administrator

Jean Cooke

Jean Cooke has worked in investment for 30 years, as head of administration and compliance and company secretary, latterly with a London based fund management company specialising in emerging markets. After Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls in Canterbury, Kent, Jean travelled widely, including a year in Madrid, but then settled in the south east of England. She has now decided to use the skills developed in her business life for the benefit of others. Accustomed to multitasking, working to deadlines and decision making, she understands the importance of attention to detail and accurate reporting. 

Jean is actively involved in her local Church, where she serves as a Deanery Synod Representative and sits on the Parochial Church Council. She is also responsible for organising the Church Flowers and occasionally sings in the choir.

Jean has been involved with the Beacon since 2014 and provides invaluable administrative support for the Beacon Programme.