Just one thing before you get started...

Careers Champion

I'd describe myself as...

Careers Professional 14-19
All Age Professional
Guest 21+
Education Professional 11-19
Higher Education Professional
Young Person 14-20

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Careers Champion December 2017

After an amazing final with 9,000 votes cast, Theo Shenbanjo (Haberdashers’ Askes Hatcham College) and Sarah Linsdell (Steyning Grammar School and Sixth Form College) have been declared joint Careers Champion award winners! Congratulations to both our new Champions.

An incredible online final saw both Theo and Sarah neck and neck on 35% when the frantic voting crashed our little site just 5 minutes before the 3pm close. Apologies to those who were desperately trying to cast a vote at the finish. We obviously need more bandwidth!

To that end, with the margin of total votes at under 0.002% as the site boiled over, we have decided to declare both Theo and Sarah worthy joint winners of the award.

Theo Shenbanjo

Theo has been Head of Careers Education, WRL and Enterprise at Haberdashers’ Askes Hatcham College for almost 8 years. A hands on practictioner, he oversees and delivers personalised CEIAG to the 1000+ students and alumni, including the management of a real-time destination datatbase. A natural networker, Theo has provided the school with an enviable gateway to local business and industry which has raised aspiration and ensured positive outcomes for hundreds of students. Nominator Katherine Lanham said: “His positivity and can-do attitude is an inspiration to all who meet him. He is a builder of bridges and a destroyer of barriers. He speaks to the children as though they were adults and they have a deep respect him.”

Sarah Linsdell

Sarah works full time as a teacher at Steyning Grammar School and Sixth Form College, yet still creates time to deliver a full Careers guidance schedule within her busy week. She selflessly devotes her time working with Year 13 non UCAS students, helping them to secure positive work and training outcomes. In addition, she supports Year 11 students with a full programme of guidance interviews during the Autumn term. Colleague Alex Pinhorn said: “Sarah also has written many of the Careers booklets used in school with all the year groups. She is always trying to find new and better ways to get the careers message over to the students and I feel her efforts deserve to be recognised.”

See details of the other amazing finalists below.

Also Nominated for the December 2017 Award

Julie Poppleton

Julie Poppleton

Julie is Head of CEIAG at Chase Terrace Technology College and has been tirelessly delivering careers advice and guidance to students for the last 4 years. Julie is passionate about growing careers in the wider community. She successfully established and now delivers a professional Career Adviser's Forum for the wider Staffordshire area, growing the group from four members to over 30 advisers sharing best practice and resources and also meet with local businesses. Nominator Tracy Barnes said: "Julie is the most passionate person I have ever met in the Careers Industry. She is full of information, knowledge and advice which she shares with other professionals constantly. If I could have half of her knowledge I would be a happy adviser."

LinkedIn Profile

Catherine Purvis-Mawson

Catherine Purvis-Mawson

As a Business Engagement Manager at UTC South Durham, Catherine works hard to nurture the aspirations of young people - particularly in relation to STEM. Providing groundbreaking work at UTC, Catherine tirelessly ensures that every young person has numerous meaningful engagements with local, national and international employers through face to face contacts, employer based visits or via video chats. Nominator Neil Mawson said: "The depth of STEM careers guidance and support the young people of the UTC South Durham receive is amazing. Catherine will utilise the strengths of employers in developing the careers ideas and aspirations of the young people in the school, the UTC pupils are so lucky to have her."

LinkedIn Profile

Paul Martin

Paul Martin

A distinguished figure in the sector, Paul has supported the students at University of Central Lancashire as a careers adviser for 11 years. Continuously operating to a high standard, Paul is able to build and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders while managing a large caseload of students and associates. Colleagues often draw on Paul's vast experience and he selflessly gives up his time to ensure positive outcomes. Nominator Kathryn Aindow-Jones said: "Paul is a selfless person who puts the best interests of students and colleagues before himself. As a colleague, he is a source of motivation; enabling and empowering the team and students he meets, seemingly effortlessly. He is a joy to work with."

LinkedIn Profile

Theo Shenbanjo

Theo Shenbanjo

Theo has been Head of Careers Education, WRL and Enterprise at Haberdashers' Askes Hatcham College for almost 8 years. A hands on practictioner, he oversees and delivers personalised CEIAG to the 1000+ students and alumni, including the management of a real-time destination datatbase. A natural networker, Theo has provided the school with an enviable gateway to local business and industry which has raised aspiration and ensured positive outcomes for hundreds of students. Nominator Katherine Lanham said: "His positivity and can-do attitude is an inspiration to all who meet him. He is a builder of bridges and a destroyer of barriers. He speaks to the children as though they were adults and they have a deep respect him."  

LinkedIn Profile

Yolande Burgess

Yolande Burgess

Yolande has been Strategy Director for Young People's Education and Skills at London Councils for over 7 years. In her role she has prioritised and ensured significant resources are invested to support teachers and careers advisers in high quality CEG at grass roots level. She has also maintained a strategic focus with key influencers to keep careers education and guidance on the political agenda - an example being championing London Ambitions, including a careers education framework to support teachers and employers. Nominator Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE said: "Yolande actively consults with young people to inform in London Council planned activities such as Skills London. She promotes the importance of life chances for all."  

LinkedIn Profile

Sarah Linsdell

Sarah Linsdell

Sarah works full time as a teacher at Steyning Grammar School and Sixth Form College, yet still creates time to deliver a full Careers guidance schedule within her busy week. She selflessly devotes her time working with Year 13 non UCAS students, helping them to secure positive work and training outcomes. In addition, she supports Year 11 students with a full programme of guidance interviews during the Autumn term. Colleague Alex Pinhorn said: "Sarah also has written many of the Careers booklets used in school with all the year groups. She is always trying to find new and better ways to get the careers message over to the students and I feel her efforts deserve to be recognised."

Steyning Grammar School and Sixth Form