Hobsons Europe Executive Team
Kenny Nicholl – Commercial Director (UK, Europe & Middle East)
Kenny is responsible for working across the sales, commercial and marketing teams of Hobsons Plc (UK, Europe & Middle East) to ensure institutions across the education sector get the best possible solution to their student recruitment, experience and success challenges.
Working with both existing and potential clients, across both the Enrolment Management Technology and Enrolment Management Services, Kenny has an unrivalled insight into the changing needs of the higher education sector in particular, and what represents cutting-edge developments in the fields of student recruitment and educational CRM.
Kenny is a firm believer in a partnership approach, working closely with clients to develop tailored solutions and linking Hobsons’ success to the success of the organisations they work with.
Prior to joining Hobsons, Kenny was Head of Education Sales for THUS Ltd (formerly THUS plc and part of Cable & Wireless Worldwide plc), where he managed UK-wide sales teams and was responsible for overall education sector sales, marketing and engagement strategies. He also worked in management and leadsership roles for Atlantic Telecom Group Plc and Kelly Fuels Ltd.
Rachel Fletcher – Director of Operations (UK, Europe & Middle East)
Rachel is responsible for the strategic and day to day operational management of Hobsons Plc’s Enrolment Management Technology and Enrolment Management Services.
Rachel was formerly Director of EMS , overseeing operational and strategic management of student recruitment out-sourcing for international and domestic students, particularly within the higher education sector. As a result, she has a particular expertise in managing recruitment and conversion at all stages of the student lifecycle.
Rachel joined the Hobsons Plc (UK, Europe & Middle East) team from the Hobsons Australia office in Melbourne, where she worked as an Account Manager within the international student recruitment field. Her move to London was specifically to help set up and manage the Enrolment Management Services business, based on the successful Australian model, and since then she has overseen the continued growth of this division in the UK.
She has a varied and international undergraduate and postgraduate education from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Germany and Austria covering English literature, German, journalism, business administration and music. Prior to joining Hobsons, Rachel worked primarily in project management roles for a number of financial institutions.
Sharon Johnson – Director, Finance and Human Resources
Sharon joined Hobsons in May 1997 as a Purchase Ledger Assistant and was rapidly promoted within the finance team, ultimately becoming Financial Controller in 2006. Sharon studied during this period for her accountancy exams and is CIMA qualified.
During her time at Hobsons, Sharon has been instrumental in managing change across the organisation, from the launching of new profit centres to facilitating organisational restructuring as the business moved from a predominantly publishing company to the technology and services-based company it is today. As well as managing the finance department, Sharon is responsible for HR and Office Management.
Sharon is also actively involved in Hobson’s charitable work with Plan International, regularly contributing to fundraising activities.
