Meet the team behind everything at AccessHE!

Michelle Anson

Uni Connect Outreach Coordinator (NE London)

The thing I most enjoy about working in widening participation is… seeing the collective impact of schools, HEIs and charities all working towards the same end goal, of improving education outcomes for young Londoners.

Dr Richard Boffey

Head of AccessHE

Richard has been at London Higher since 2019, joining as Deputy Head of AccessHE. Prior to that, he headed up the research team of a higher education-focused executive search firm. He holds a PhD in German Studies and has taught in and delivered outreach sessions in a university for the Faculty of Arts.

Emily Dixon

Programmes, Communications & Research Officer

Emily works is our Programmes, Communications & Research Officer, overseeing the work of forums and leading on communications with AccessHE members and partners. She also supports on our research programme, including upcoming reports on the uptake of foreign languages degrees and our pan London International Education strategy.

Prior to joining AccessHE, Emily worked in the Education office of Shakespeare’s Globe, designing projects and resources for targeted and bespoke education programmes for young people. She maintains her interest in literature, teaching Shakespeare to international secondary-age learners, and is in the process of completing an MA in Medieval studies.

The thing I most enjoy about working in widening participation is… seeing how much widening participation benefits schools, HEIs, and everyone involved.

Beth Hayden

Uni Connect Outreach Coordinator (N London)

As our Uni Connect Outreach Coordinator Beth works with schools, HE members, local authorities and employers to establish outreach programmes of support for underrepresented students across school years 9-13. Her activity covers the boroughs of Hackney, Haringey, Camden, Islington, Waltham Forest and Enfield. She specialises in creative HE study and working in alternative education settings, such as Pupil Referral Units.

The thing I most enjoy about working in widening participation is… learning about the unique challenges our stakeholders face and finding creative ways to address them.

Mair Lawrence-Matthews

AccessHE Uni Connect Project Officer

The thing I most enjoy about working in widening participation is… engaging young people in unique programmes, seeing their confidence, creativity and skills grow as a result.

Alex Muhumuza

Uni Connect Programmes and Partnerships Officer

Alex Muhumuza works in the AccessHE/Uni Connect division as the Programmes and Partnerships Officer, leading our targeted outreach work with partner schools in Barking & Dagenham and Havering as well as developing the new attainment raising strand.

Prior to joining AccessHE, Alex managed the Aimhigher Plus programme of targeted outreach activity at Birmingham Metropolitan College.

He holds a degree in Business Management and Public Policy and a Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development.

The thing I most enjoy about working in widening participation is… working with schools and colleges to create programmes and opportunities that have a positive impact on their student’s choices for the future.