Meet your Mentors
2026
Industry professionals. Early‑career experts. Real‑world insight.
Our 2026 Mentor team brings together experts from Engineering, Medicine, Law, Business and the Arts, alongside emerging professionals who have recently navigated the same choices you are facing.
Together, they blend industry expertise and relatable guidance, helping young people understand their options, identify the pathway that’s right for them, and take confident, practical steps towards their future.
Below are just some of the Mentors confirmed across our 2026 programmes.
Meet the IgnitED Mentors who will guide you throughout the week. Each day, you’ll also hear from guest professionals from a wide range of businesses and organisations, giving you real‑world insight into the careers you’re aiming for.
Soumya
Dr Manna is Principal Lecturer and Course Director in Design and Biomedical Engineering at Canterbury Christ Church University.
With a PhD in Medical Robotics and 30+ peer‑reviewed publications, his research spans wearable exoskeletons, sensor technologies, and AI‑enabled medical devices.
A long‑standing STEM ambassador, he has led over 50 outreach activities inspiring young people to see engineering differently.
Engineering
Madeleine
Madeleine is a fourth‑year Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) candidate at the University of Birmingham. She teaches Basic Life Support to 1st year healthcare undergraduates, and tutors GCSE science.
Madeleine is passionate about widening access to medicine and helping students feel confident pursuing what can often feel like a daunting career path. Alongside her studies, she is involved in the Medics’ running and cheerleading teams.
Next year, Madeleine’s placement is in London focusing on Women’s Health before, returning to Birmingham to complete her training. Madeleine is excited to share her experiences and guiding Participants through an honest, supportive insight into life as a medical student.
Medicine
Victoria
Victoria is a Performing Arts teacher and private academic tutor, founding her own tutoring company in 2019 driven by her passion for supporting learners in their academic and creative journeys.
With a First-Class degree in Teaching of Musical Theatre from the University of Chichester, Victoria teaches children and young people across West Sussex in schools and theatre settings.
As a keen charity advocate, Victoria has raised over £1,200 for good causes and contributed to the “Send My Friend to School” campaign, even speaking in Parliament to champion global education rights.
The Arts
Robert
Robert is an educator and finance professional with a broad international background.
He holds a PGCE and an MSc in Management and Finance, and previously worked in Financial Advisory Services at Deloitte and KPMG China, supporting multinational clients on major M&A projects.
He also brings industry insight from his work with global firms through the Shanghai British Chamber of Commerce
Business
James
James holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of East Anglia and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford.
He trained with Macfarlanes before practising as a commercial and banking litigator at Denton Wilde Sapte, later joining TLT Solicitors where he was appointed Partner. Most recently, he served as Legal Adviser at the British Red Cross Society.
A passionate advocate for legal education, James is also a qualified teacher and delivered law workshops to more than 1,000 young people last year.
Law
Annie
Annie is a postgraduate candidate reading MBChB at the University of Bristol. She is an experienced Mentor, supporting medical students through exams, applications, and the transition into healthcare training.
Before entering medicine, Annie completed a History degree at the University of Bristol and later a Diploma in Access to Medicine.
As a mature student, she draws on her professional background in the charity and healthcare sectors. Her work with the British Heart Foundation and St John Ambulance has involved national projects in community development, health innovation, and emergency response initiatives.
Medicine
Anirban
Dr Chowdhury is a Lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Essex, where he teaches and supervises students in areas including robotics, control systems, artificial intelligence, and engineering project work. With a PHD in Mechatronics, his research focuses on assistive and rehabilitation technologies, including brain computer interfaces, exoskeletons, and human centred robotics for healthcare.
Anirban is dedicated to making engineering accessible and relevant to real‑world challenges. He develops technologies with clinicians and patients to support people after neurological conditions, and as an IgnitED Engineering Mentor, he’s excited to help participants turn ideas into solutions that improve lives.
Engineering
Hanan
Medicine
Hanan is reading Medicine (MBBS) at the University of Southampton, with clinical research in neurology and patient‑centred care. She has significant experience Mentoring aspiring medical students through roles with BrightMedics and more recently, as a peer‑support facilitator with the We Speak Organisation.
Hanan holds leadership and advocacy roles including Neurodiversity Chair on the EDI Committee of her medical school and Wellbeing Panel Member for the Awarding Gap Project. With clinical experience across primary and secondary care, Hanan brings an informed perspective on medical training and careers. She is committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments where students can thrive.
Gabriel
Gabriel is reading Law at Durham University, pursuing an LLB with First‑class results in core modules including Contract, Tort, and EU Law. Prior to specialising in Law, he also read Criminology at Durham, giving him a strong understanding of the wider context in which the law operates.
He has gained broad exposure to the legal profession through mini‑pupillages at 33 Bedford Row in London and Parkside Chambers in Hong Kong, as well as insight schemes with leading City firms including Slaughter and May.
Gabriel actively mentors within the Durham Law Society, supporting students with career pathways and advocacy skills development.
Law
Jake
Engineering
Jake is reading Aerospace Engineering at the University of Surrey with a longstanding passion for applying engineering to real-world challenges. Alongside his studies he is involved in several projects, including Peryton Space's UKSEDS Olympus Rover Trials and the Australia Rover Challenge as a mechanical engineer, as well as Formula Student's aerodynamics team.
Jake completed his research internship developing a Digital Image Correlation calibration tool, and secure £5,000 in funding for a follow-on AI-assisted automation project, where he will co-mentor the next placement students.
Jake is passionate about helping nurture engineering pathways and build confidence in the field.
Elaine
Business
Elaine is a passionate professional with a portfolio career spanning advertising, media, talent acquisition, and education. She began her career working with major media owners, building over 20 years of experience supporting agencies, technology firms, and business intelligence organisations.
This led her into entrepreneurship, where she successfully runs a talent acquisition business, placing dynamic professionals across the industry. In leadership roles, she developed high-performing commercial teams, driven by a strong interest in coaching and unlocking individual potential.
More recently, her focus has shifted toward careers and employability within education.
Hannah
Hannah is a senior education and safeguarding leader, with extensive experience delivering large programmes for thousands of young people across the UK.
A qualified Science and Outdoor Education teacher, she has led operations, programmes, and pupil welfare, shaping systems that deliver high‑quality experiences at scale. She now supports organisations with safeguarding, delivery, and impact.
Driven by widening access to opportunity, Hannah brings clarity to complex challenges and has a soft spot for impeccably organised spreadsheets. She works from her kitchen table in Cumbria and enjoys a lunchtime dog walk.
Programme Leader
Sam
Director of Programmes
With over two decades working with young people, Sam began his career supporting looked‑after children before completing a postgraduate qualification in Psychology that led him into international education.
He has since held senior roles across several leading global schools groups, overseeing programmes for thousands of students each year and earning national recognition for educational impact.
More recently, Sam has worked with the UK’s largest alternative provision provider, championing inclusive pathways.
Thom
Thom is an international educator and speaker who has worked in more than 70 countries.
After an unpromising start at school, he built a dynamic career through teaching, senior leadership, and global operations, including executive roles in major education groups and serving as Director of Operations USA. Most recently, he led programmes at Cambridge University.
A passionate advocate for access to education and experiential learning, Thom brings humour and humanity to every session. He once cycled from the U.K. to Türkiye. He is not very good at Maths. His mother loves him anyway.
Programme Leader