Meet the Team
Sam James
CEO & FOUNDER
Sam James studied at the University of St Andrews and graduated with an MA Hons. After university, he completed Officer Training at RAF Cranwell and served as a Weapons Systems Officer in the flying branch of the Royal Air Force. On leaving the RAF, he joined the private client investment management firm J.M. Finn, where he worked for three years before moving into education at Charterhouse.
At Charterhouse, Sam taught Economics and was heavily involved in the sports programme. For the past seven years, he has served as Housemaster of a boys’ boarding house, and for two of those years he has been the Senior Head of House, working as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
Over fifteen years in private education, Sam has gained extensive experience in mentorship and acting as a male role model, having seen first-hand the impact this support can have. This work has been both deeply rewarding and meaningful, and it led Sam to formalise and further develop his skills through studying for a Masters in Coaching and Mentoring.
Belinda Satori
UCAS & CAREERS EXPERT
Belinda Satori has worked with over 1,200 students, from top UK schools to international families, guiding them through some of the most important academic and career decisions they make.
Before moving into education, Belinda spent over a decade in investment banking, most recently at Goldman Sachs. She now leads the Futures programme at Charterhouse, one of the UK’s top independent schools.
Belinda has helped students secure places at the best possible universities that fit their academic profile, interests and professional goals, and land internships and graduate roles at firms like Rothschilds, Slaughter & May and Marsh McLennan.
Parents often assume these decisions are straightforward, but in reality, they’re high-stakes, time-sensitive, and often more complex than they first appear.
Emma Getty
EARLY YEARS & PREP SCHOOL LEAD
Emma’s experience includes training and working in both state and independent primary schools in London, teaching children ranging from three to eleven years of age. She has held a variety of roles at these schools including Deputy Head, Head of Pastoral, Head of Safeguarding, Head of Phonics, Language Lead and Head of PSHE.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, Emma has taken a lead role in two OFSTED outstanding inspections and has worked closely with schools to support them with their ongoing compliance and regulatory requirements throughout the academic year. With a background in law, she is able to support and advise on a broad range of issues and aspects of education for parents, pupils and schools. She offers straightforward and clear advice that is always child centred and collaborative.
Emma is dedicated to supporting children to develop and thrive and takes immense joy from watching children do their best and make progress in whatever their setting may be. She believes that strong relationships with parents and the wider community are vital in ensuring that children are well supported. Emma offers a full educational programme of support for a child and their family, bespoke to their needs. Including advice and positive solutions, school selection, admissions process, tutoring, behaviour and pastoral support alongside general wellbeing guidance.
Leanne Rowlands
SAFEGUARDING AND POLICY EXPERT
Leanne possesses over two decades of experience in boarding education within leading UK independent schools, having held significant pastoral and leadership roles at St Edward’s Oxford, Marlborough College (UK and Malaysia), Tudor Hall, Bradfield College, and, most recently, Charterhouse School. She is also a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead with specific responsibility for Online Safety, Whole School Pastoral Care and Boarding.
Across her career, Leanne has successfully managed both horizontal and vertical boarding structures, and in 2012 she was appointed to establish girls’ boarding at Marlborough College Malaysia. Her professional expertise spans pastoral leadership, academic oversight, and co-curricular development, having previously served as Head of Girls’ Sport and Head of Academic Physical Education and Psychology.
In her current role, Leanne oversees the strategic leadership of the Heads of Houses, the International Pupils’ Co-ordinator, the Lead Nurse and the Guardianship programme (including implementing the new UKVi and Home Office legislation for International Sponsored Visa Holders). She has played an instrumental role in the transition to co-education and is responsible for auditing and implementing the National Minimum Standards (NMS) across 15 boarding houses.
A qualified Safeguarding Lead, Leanne delivers ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (WTSC) training and provides professional training for the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) and SACPA, with a specialist focus on Boarding, Safeguarding and Online Safety. In addition to her senior leadership responsibilities, Leanne is a co-opted Governor and serves on the Executive Committee of Edgeborough Preparatory School.
