FIRST UK - Our people
FIRST UK - Our people

Our people

We’re More Than Robots we’re a global movement of educators, industry pioneers and influencers.

There’s power in community

FIRST UK is only as impactful as the smart creatives driving it. Our small but mighty HQ team is supported by a network of champion orgs, trustees and advisors on a mission to make STEM less intimidating, more diverse and inclusive.

“A diverse, skills-equipped, workforce-ready talent pipeline is essential if we’re to drive future growth and innovation in the UK”.

Amelia Gould, CEng FIET, Chair of Trustees FIRST UK

Ed

The Disruptor

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Ed describes the mission as "making the charity go out of business" – a world where every young person is equipped with the technical knowledge and life skills to own their future. He’s focused on defining the pathway to impact and securing the sustainable investment and critical friendships to get there fast. Previously, Ed led innovation at Cancer Research UK and has brought three startups successfully to market since COVID-19. When he's not building More Than Robots, he can be found globetrotting, in or on the water with Zeb, Oz and Katherine.

Vicky

The Assembler

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Vicky assembles our team with her passion and skills of adding insight and structure to ensure we are working effectively, and building quality programmes for our community. When she's not working, you can usually find her in the Peaks with her rescue Whippet Winnie, eating her way around Manchester or cooking up a feast with goodies she’s picked from her garden.

Marvin

The Connector

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Marvin is our Partnerships & Fundraising Manager with a background spanning charity programmes, corporate partnerships, logistics and multi‑site operations. Known for building strong relationships and bringing people together, he’s driven by creating impact for young people and communities. Outside of work, Marvin’s usually in the gym, watching or playing sports, or enjoying beach days in Cornwall with his three children — the role that motivates everything he does.      

Vicki

The Storyteller

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Vicki leads content at FIRST UK, using storytelling to bring the More Than Robots movement to life. Her work focuses on sharing the impact of the programme, the power of community and the voices within it, turning experiences into content that connects, inspires and drives action. When she’s not busy shouting about the charity, she’s probably travelling the world – or at least planning her next trip.  

Olivia

The Enabler

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Olivia supports the Middle and East of England regions, nurturing relationships within her close-knit community. With four years of experience delivering FIRST LEGO League, she loves all things STEM and knows how to keep events, teams, and partners on track. When she’s not juggling robots, teams and events, you’ll find her at the gym or baking something sweet.  

Toni

The Navigator

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Toni is on a mission to grow and energise the FIRST Tech Challenge UK hub network across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and North East England. By working closely with Champion Organisations, she ensures that each hub thrives, supporting teams, coordinating events and providing essential STEM opportunities to young people. Toni has 15 years of experience in STEM education, five of which saw her responsible for the delivery of the FIRST LEGO League programme in Trinidad and Tobago. When she's not busy connecting the dots, Toni enjoys scenic walks and hikes with her family, exploring the stunning Scottish landscapes.

Paige

The Pathfinder

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Paige has a passion for STEM that would surprise her school teachers, but one that she puts to best use in her role as Programme Manager. She has taken on the stewardship of our “Middle England” region and can’t wait to get to know the teams in the East, Yorkshire & Humber, West and East Midlands, and the North West. At our events, you will find Paige, clipboard in hand, making sure everything runs smoothly, and in her free time, you’ll usually find her cooking up a family feast!

Lizzie

The Facilitator

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Lizzie is fuelled by her love of STEM education. Having experienced what it’s like to compete in a robotics programme herself, her priority is making sure every young person gets the most out of their experience with FIRST Tech Challenge UK. Previously, Lizzie gained four years of experience in delivering STEM programmes at FIRST LEGO League UK. She's now on a mission to grow FIRST Tech Challenge UK in the South of England. At an event, you'll find her engrossed in robot matches, chatting to teams, team leads and volunteers about the challenge's incredible impact.

Shannon

The Integrator

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Shannon has supported the charity's operations since we began, playing a key role in keeping programmes, processes and people connected behind the scenes. With a strong eye for detail and a deep understanding of how we work, she helps ensure everything runs without a hitch. Shannon has been an integral part of our growth and impact since the beginning. When she's not diving into our data, she's spending quality time with her family.  

Trustees and advisors

Propelling us forward, enacting our strategy and maximising impact our board help us achieve more, better and sooner.

Amelia

The Alchemist

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Chris

The Headteacher

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Simon

The Prof

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Toby

The Educator

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Muktar

The Product Guy

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Vikrant

The Founder

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More Than Robots

We’re building the talent pipeline which will change the world.

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  • We build More Than Robots

    We make STEM more diverse – using robots, industry mentors, and epic competitions to drive a skills-equipped, workforce-ready talent pipeline.