Geraldine Raison
Founder/Director
Geraldine previously worked in admissions and international student recruitment for the University of Warwick for 15 years, during which she worked with students, schools and universities in over 30 countries. She started UKSO in 2009 following a PG Dip in Career Guidance and since then has helped hundreds of students from all over the world gain entry to the top universities in the UK.
“My passion is helping young people to fully realise their potential. It is hugely rewarding to help students, and their parents, through the application process and onto the first step of a successful career”.
Kate Raison
Director
Kate worked in Admissions and International Student Recruitment at universities such as Imperial College London, the University of Birmingham, and Cranfield university for 9 years before joining UK Study Options in 2018. She has extensive knowledge of undergraduate and postgraduate admissions which she applies to counselling her students on their higher education and career options.
Kate studied BA (Hons) Philosophy in her own undergraduate journey at the University of Birmingham and recently completed her Executive MBA from the Cranfield School of Management. She also holds CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing Management and is a qualified TEFL teacher having spent two years teaching English in Spain where she gained fluency in Spanish.
She is an International Association for College Admissions Counsellors and a UKCISA member and is fully trained and highly experienced in giving fee status advice.
“My time at university was so valuable to me – it’s played a fundamental role in my career. The right course and the right university can have such an impact on someone’s future, that’s why I’m dedicated to helping students make this important decision.”
Sam Goodwin
Fee Status Manager
Sam has extensive experience working in international education gaining a comprehensive understanding of relevant policy issues and the ability to interpret complex legislation. Originally from Australia, Sam worked for 8 years at the Australian Department of Immigration including a number of roles focused on international students and providing guidance to universities and colleges. Since being in the UK, Sam has worked in Higher Education for over 6 years and become an expert in advising students on funding and visa options.
Iram Lone
Associate
Iram joins us from Lone Consultancy specialising in careers and university guidance to international schools and students. She has 20 years of careers and university guidance experience in international schools such as Doha College and CATS College London. She is qualified in providing impartial careers and university guidance to secondary students. Iram has also completed Higher Education Studies MA from UCL Institute of Education enriching her practice in preparing secondary students’ progression and exploring wider counselling aspects of careers and higher education provision.
Judith Birt
Project Coordinator
Judith has spent many years providing professional support services to businesses in the UK and overseas, particularly office management and marketing support. She spent 12 years as an expat working in the offshore legal and banking industry before returning to the UK and providing support to a UK-based comms group, dividing her time between the UK base and its American and European subsidiaries. Her freelance work led her to UK Study Options and she has been a member of the team since 2018.
Alfie Raison
Welfare Officer
Alfie has over 8 years’ experience of providing team welfare support through hugs and strokes. He always brightens up the day in the UKSO office with his laid-back attitude and calming influence on the team. He has a Bachelors in Squeaky Toys (Hons) and has extensive knowledge of all things biscuit-related.
“Woof.”
Billie Jupiter Lone
Billie has recently joined us, too, with over 5 years of experience in providing those around her with complete honesty. She can always be relied on to let you know when something does not feel right. The only time Billie is distracted is when dreamies are involved.