How to use empathy as a practical communication tool to listen better, handle difficult conversations and build real connection in and outside our workplaces.

Shola Kaye is an award-winning international speaker and the author of two books on communication. She helps organisations build People-First cultures powered by Emotional Audacity — the courage to speak up, lead with heart, and act with compassion. When workplaces are bold and inclusive, people thrive, teams soar, and lasting change happens. Shola is a LinkedIn Learning instructor, and her clients include The United Nations and Deloitte. Her work has been featured in a range of industry journals.

Highlighting the fundamental role that safeguarding, guardianship and pastoral support play in the UK’s international education success story, Jonathan will share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Jonathan is a senior UK Government leader working at the intersection of education, policy, trade and industry, driving the UK Government’s strategic global vision for international education. As International Education Strategy Lead at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, he works across Whitehall to shape and deliver the UK’s International Education Strategy,
positioning UK education excellence and capability on the global stage.

With a career spanning over three decades, including more than 23 years delivering skills and education solutions across 78 countries, Jonathan brings deep commercial acumen and system-level expertise across the entire UK education ecosystem. For nine years, he served as the UK Government’s Skills and Professional Bodies Specialist, supporting UK providers to access global markets and delivering high-impact international skills partnerships.

Jonathan holds postgraduate qualifications in Management and is a graduate in Learning and Development Provision. He is a Freeman of the City of London, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

Effective Approaches for Supporting Students who Self Harm

Kate has worked in various educational settings as a mental health professional for over 20 years and has first hand experience of working with students who present with issues around self-harm and suicidal thoughts.  She also delivers workshops to school pastoral staff on how to carry out best practice in these areas. 

Kate is an experienced psychodynamic counsellor who runs a thriving private practice in North London. She previously worked for the counselling service at Middlesex University which offers mental health support to their students. In this capacity, she has run various mental health and psychoeducational workshops and presentations, as well as a four-day course, ‘An Introduction to Counselling Skills’. She has also supervised trainee and honorary counsellors who have been on placement at the university counselling service.

She previously worked as the school counsellor for Henrietta Barnett School, a high achieving girls’ school in North London.

In addition, Kate writes the Agony Aunt page for Bella Magazine, one of the UK’s leading weekly women’s national magazine with an extensive national readership. Her column, ‘Ask Kate’ answers readers’ letters regarding personal, sexual and relationship issues and is one of the most popular regular features in the publication.

She is a born and bred north Londoner who trained as an actress at Rose Bruford School of Drama, before becoming a licensed chaperone.  She worked with young people for over a decade in film, TV and at The Royal Opera House before deciding to invest in her extensive training as a counsellor.

Drawing from over 30 years of industry experience, Nicola will explore the evolution of the international education sector and impact made by AEGIS, and what the future might hold.

Nicola is a sales trainer, mentor and coach specialising in the education sector. With 29 years’ experience in sales management, admissions, leadership, training and coaching, she helps schools, agents and education businesses attract more clients through authentic, customer-led sales.

A Fellow of the Institute of Sales Professionals, Nicola brings current sales expertise, technology and practical methods to student recruitment. Through No Fluff, she delivers focused, actionable support designed to increase admissions, build confidence and achieve sustainable growth.

StudyTravel has over 30 years’ experience in connecting agents and educators in print, online and in- person. StudyTravel Magazine reaches an expansive audience of 22,000 agent readers across 129 countries, providing news, statistics and market insights on all of the industry sectors.

ST Alphe Conferences provide an opportunity for international educators to meet with reference-checked study travel agents from around the world. Through 1-1 meetings and networking events, you can develop and grow your agent network.

Our online platform, StudyTravel Network (STN), connects you to over 8,500 active users in the study travel industry. Users can seamlessly share content, send messages, and arrange meetings using the integrated Meeting Manager system. Use the StudyTravel mobile app, available on android and Apple app stores, to access key features of STN on the go!

https://studytravel.network