Team
Team
Meet the Team
TTA is led by a democratically elected board of directors from the membership and supported by a small operational team. Together, we get things done!
John Nichols
President
John Nichols is the President of The Tutors’ Association (TTA), leading the organisation with a commitment to enhancing the tutoring profession. With extensive experience in the education sector, John has a proven track record of advocating for high standards and professional development among tutors. He has played a pivotal role in expanding the association’s reach and influence, ensuring that tutors receive the support and recognition they deserve.
John is dedicated to fostering a community where tutors can share best practices, access valuable resources, and continuously improve their skills. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that benefit both tutors and students across the UK.
Richard Cowell
Vice President
Richard Cowell is a dedicated educator with nearly two decades of experience supporting parents, children, and schools. He began his career in the voluntary and public sectors, working with organisations like SureStart and HomeStart. Richard has trained hundreds of early years providers and primary school teachers in the Solihull Approach, focusing on resilience and well-being.
As the founder of Richard Cowell Education, he offers a range of educational services, including 11+ exam support and curriculum catch-up programmes. Richard’s approach integrates quality teaching with soft skills development. He also serves as the Vice President of The Tutors’ Association (TTA), advocating for the tutoring profession.
Chris Wordsworth
Treasurer
Chris Wordsworth, who serves as the TTA’s treasurer, has taught in some of London’s top prep schools as well as working within the tutoring industry for over a decade. Having graduated with honours in Primary Education from St Mary’s University, Chris possesses a deep understanding of all aspects of education. These skills allow him to collaborate closely with industry experts to help bring tutoring and personalised teaching to as many students as possible.
As co-founder of Headway Tutors, he has helped bring Headway’s team of tutors to students across the country. With a passion for education and a commitment to helping students reach their fullest potential, Chris has dedicated his career to improving the way tutoring is delivered. His extensive knowledge of the tutoring industry, coupled with his ethos of always putting the student first, has enabled Headway Tutors to expand rapidly since its inception. Under Chris’s leadership, the company has quickly become a trusted resource for students seeking personalised learning experiences and academic success.
Julius Goldthorpe
General Manager
Julius Goldthorpe is the General Manager at The Tutors’ Association (TTA), overseeing daily operations and ensuring the organisation runs smoothly and efficiently. With extensive experience in management, Julius excels in implementing strategic initiatives, managing member services, and enhancing the overall member experience. His expertise in operational management and leadership is instrumental in driving TTA’s mission forward.
Julius is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment within TTA, helping to support the professional growth of tutors across the UK. His dedication to excellence ensures that TTA continues to uphold high standards and deliver valuable services to its members.
Sam Nichols
Events Manager
Sam Nichols is the Events Manager at The Tutors’ Association (TTA), playing a crucial role in organising and managing TTA’s events. With a background in operations, she excels in coordinating conferences, workshops, and networking events that bring together tutors from across the UK and around the world. Sam is dedicated to making these events inclusive for all participants, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued.
Her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to creating impactful experiences have greatly enhanced TTA’s events, providing valuable opportunities for professional development and community building. Sam’s work supports TTA’s mission to foster collaboration and continuous improvement within the tutoring profession.
Holly Goodwin
Head of Safeguarding
Holly Goodwin is the Head of Safeguarding at The Tutors’ Association (TTA), leading efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of students and tutors. With extensive experience in safeguarding and child protection, Holly oversees the training and support of members, ensuring they are well-equipped to maintain a safe learning environment.
Holly’s expertise in safeguarding is crucial in promoting best practices and maintaining high standards within the tutoring community. Her commitment to creating a secure and supportive atmosphere for all members makes her an invaluable asset to the TTA team.
Myra van den Heever
Membership & DBS Officer
Myra van den Heever is the Membership Officer and DBS Team Lead at The Tutors’ Association (TTA), managing inbound queries and the DBS check processes. Myra ensures compliance with our standards and has a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to safety. Myra oversees the daily verification of DBS checks for members, maintaining the highest standards of trust and integrity within the tutoring community.
Stephen Perry
Company Secretary
Stephen Perry is the Company Secretary at The Tutors’ Association (TTA), responsible for ensuring the organisation’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. With a wealth of experience in corporate governance and administration, Stephen meticulously manages TTA’s corporate records, supports the board of directors, and oversees governance practices.
His role is essential in maintaining the integrity and transparency of TTA’s operations. Stephen’s expertise in legal and corporate affairs, combined with his dedication to upholding the highest standards, makes him a pivotal member of the TTA team.
Cathleen Sagisi
Director
Cathleen works with families to build confidence in children through their education. Awarded Best Online Tutor and Professional Tutor of the Year 2023.
As a Director, Cathleen is committed on supporting the mission of The Tutors’ Association. She is committed to helping tutors and building a community and culture that we are proud to be part of.
Poppy Parmar-Phillips
Director
Founder of a thriving tutoring company, Poppy leads with empathy, excellence, and a deep commitment to neurodiversity and safeguarding.
As a TTA Board Member, she champions inclusive, emotionally safe education and sector-wide best practice. Known for her strategic clarity and warmth, she uplifts families, tutors, and fellow educators with visionary care.
Deborah Salsbury
Director
Deborah has been on the board of the The Tutors’ Association (TTA) Board since 2022 and an independent tutor since 2012. Her experience as the Founder and Director of The Reading Doctor – an award winning tuition franchise, has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges and aspirations of self-employed tutors. She is committed to leveraging this insight to further TTA’s mission and support members effectively.
Tom Hamilton Stubber
Director
Anne Morris
Director
Anne is a former secondary level Maths teacher who founded Yipiyap in 2012 to deliver in-school Peer Tuition to schools and colleges.
After a decade leading the development of the in-school tuition sector, Yipiyap was appointed as one of only 65 Tuition Partners to the National Tutoring Programme – the government’s flagship response to support schools and students after the Covid 19 pandemic.
More recently, Yipiyap has moved away from in-person tuition in order to deliver digital services – Peerscroller for PSHE/PD and the Yipiyap Aspire : Train to Tutor course – again, in partnership with schools and colleges.
Georgie McIntyre
Director
Georgie McIntyre is an experienced educator, coach, and safeguarding specialist with over two decades’ leadership across education, mental health, and community
organisations.
A former Head of School, she has worked for Cambridge Assessment and an International Schools membership association, bringing strategic insight and global perspective to education. Founder of Avant Consultancy, who provide coaching, supervision, and strategic consultancy to purpose-led organisations and individuals.
Georgie also works as an associate for leading safeguarding and wellbeing providers, delivering training, supervision, and best practice guidance. Passionate about raising the standards of tutoring, she brings a strategic, values-led approach to The Tutors’ Association Board.
Join the Team
Already a member? If you’re interested in shaping the future of tuition, contact us to register your interest in joining the board. There’s plenty of other ways to get involved too, like joining a Working Group, signing up as a Community Hub Leader or delivering a webinar to our membership.