OUR PEOPLE
Alyson Soutter
Alyson’s passion for education began in the classroom, where she saw firsthand how systems shape learning - and how often they hold students back.
That drive for meaningful change and passion for education reform led her to consulting. Trained by PwC in strategic problem-solving and operational improvement, she spent years advising governments, universities and vocational colleges across the UK and the Middle East.
Her most formative experience was establishing the first service-sector vocational college within Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism – where she learned the hard-won realities of building an institution from scratch: navigating accreditation, designing industry-relevant curricula, establishing international partnerships and aligning stakeholders with competing priorities.
Key Credentials
- PwC-trained management consultant with extensive experience in UK and Gulf region public sector strategy and operational reform
- Part of the core team that established Dubai's first service-sector vocational college
- Former teacher (Teach First UK, Brighton College Abu Dhabi)
Manar Abdulkareem
Manar Abdulkareem is a seasoned trainer, assessor, and internal quality assurer with extensive experience across the GCC, Levant, and East Asia.
She has taught at leading higher and further education institutions including the University of Jordan, the College of Science and Technology in Jordan, and UAE Academy, and has worked in corporate training across diverse sectors in the region.
With a strong background in business development, procurement, logistics, and product management, Manar brings real-world corporate insight into the classroom, ensuring her training is practical, relevant, and directly linked to workplace realities. Her expertise spans business administration, health & safety, supply chain, and education, with deep experience in curriculum development, assessment design, and quality assurance aligned with UAE NQC and UK Ofqual standards.
Holding master’s degrees in Applied Linguistics and Business Management, she blends academic knowledge with industry-driven delivery to support meaningful learning outcomes.
Key Credentials
- Designed and delivered vocational and corporate training across four countries, aligned to UAE and UK qualifications frameworks.
- Former lecturer and trainer at multiple higher and further education institutions.
- Led internal quality assurance systems, supporting compliance and excellence in vocational education delivery.