Pippa's Annual Conference
Once a year, we trade our home office setups and Teams meetings for face-to-face conversations, countryside views, and real human connection. On Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May, our entire team came together at the beautiful Tewkesbury Park Hotel for our annual two-day company conference – and what a fantastic couple of days it was. We spent time reconnecting, reflecting, learning, and looking forward to what’s to come.
Day One
After colleagues had greeted each other, some meeting in person for the first time, Ben Hughes officially kicked off the event with a company update and a look at our future plans. It was inspiring to see how far we’ve come and where we are headed next.
Later in the day, after a delicious lunch and some new team photos, we had a presentation on UKVI and visa processes from Jonathan Hill, followed by a lively Q&A about Chinese culture with our Chinese Liaison Officer Becky Finney, which sparked thoughtful discussion and fresh insights. The day ended on a high with a prosecco reception followed by dinner, giving everyone time to catch up in a more social setting.
Later in the day, after a delicious lunch and some new team photos, we had a presentation on UKVI and visa processes from Jonathan Hill, followed by a lively Q&A about Chinese culture with our Chinese Liaison Officer Becky Finney, which sparked thoughtful discussion and fresh insights. The day ended on a high with a prosecco reception followed by dinner, giving everyone time to catch up in a more social setting.
Day Two
Thursday gave us the opportunity to break off into smaller groups and rotate around four hands-on workshops covering topics essential to our growth, including how our guardianship service evolves as students get older; how best to network with the schools we work with, and how AI can help us to work smarter.
Day Two
Thursday gave us the opportunity to break off into smaller groups and rotate around four hands-on workshops covering topics essential to our growth, including how our guardianship service evolves as students get older; how best to network with the schools we work with, and how AI can help us to work smarter.
Ben brought things to a close with a heartfelt wrap-up, followed by the most English of farewells: tea and cake, before hitting the road home.
As always, what made the conference truly special was the sense of togetherness. Whether it was swapping stories over coffee, brainstorming in workshops, or laughing over dinner, it reminded us of the strength in our shared mission.
Ben brought things to a close with a heartfelt wrap-up, followed by the most English of farewells: tea and cake, before hitting the road home.
As always, what made the conference truly special was the sense of togetherness. Whether it was swapping stories over coffee, brainstorming in workshops, or laughing over dinner, it reminded us of the strength in our shared mission.