Making ‘that difference’ is why ELSA exists…
Our vision: We believe every young person, regardless of background or ability, deserves the opportunity to develop into a confident, and positive, member of their community. ELSA offers opportunities, hope, and support through bespoke educational workshops and programmes.
Our mission: To bridge the gap between education and employment. Our unique career-focused programmes teach young people essential personal and professional skills sought by employers today.
E- Education through the delivery of high-quality flexible programmes;
L- Learning tailored to individual needs;
S- Skills that transfer from education to employment;
A- Achievement, leading to brighter futures
About Us
ELSA Next Generation is a not-for-profit organisation, delivering bespoke, career-focused workshops across various educational settings. Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and employment. Our unique career-focused programmes teach young people essential personal and professional skills sought by employers today.
ELSA places greater emphasis on current work awareness skills and life skills which enables young people to realise and explore their future career possibilities. Working with young people in both mainstream and specialist education, we deliver workshops which encourage debate, discussion, integrity, and aspiration, while also increasing individual self-awareness and ambition.
Today’s employers look for confident and knowledgeable young individuals to join their teams. Our programmes teach the skills and qualities that are required in the workplace.
Through our action-orientated programmes, the resources we provide, and the wonderful support from local, national, and international employers, young people are educated about the opportunities that exist for them. ELSA’s work is made possible by the exceptional support of our enthusiastic business and community volunteers. At every event, we have business volunteers from various sectors to help coach students in specific company approaches to recruitment, as well as using their own unique stories to inspire and raise aspirations.
Our programmes are adapted for the audience and can be delivered whether it is one-to-one coaching or to an audience of over 200.
We seek to engage every young person that we meet, with our goal of bridging the gap between education and employment for young people of the Next Generation. ELSA enables and empowers young people to explore, acquire and celebrate their qualities, skills and potential; we want them to strive to achieve their very best and be ready for their life beyond the school gates.
ELSA Team:
Althea Roggenbuck, Development Coordinator
Althea is the Development Coordinator for ELSA Next Generation.
Originally from Chicago, she moved to the UK in 2022. Althea graduated from high school at 16, followed by a successful career as a touring musician.
In 2020, Althea’s daughter was diagnosed with liver failure and subsequently received a life-saving liver transplant. Through the years of caring for her daughter’s complex medical needs, Althea developed a passion for not-for-profit work and the desire to make a difference for young people in need. Althea volunteered with charities supporting her daughter’s needs, ultimately cultivating a desire to pursue charitable work further.
Althea recently completed her degree in Education, alongside working part-time for ELSA. Now with ELSA full-time, Althea plays an active role in developing ELSA’s educational programmes as well as developing new and current practices for the growth of the business.
Jane Shipley, Founder & Director
Jane Shipley is the founder of ELSA Next Generation.
Recognising that no single approach to learning suits everyone, Jane created ELSA to bridge this gap, delivering bespoke employability and career-focused workshops that engage, empower, and equip young people for the future.
Jane believes that every young person, regardless of background, ability, or need, deserves access to a meaningful education and the opportunity to succeed. Her mission is to help businesses and communities work together to create real pathways from education to employment, ensuring that the next generation not only dreams big but understands the steps to get there.
She is passionate about helping young people explore what is possible for them and is relentless in her drive to make the right connections that open doors and broaden horizons.
A passionate and creative education professional with a reputation for “getting things done,” Jane is continually inspired by the potential in others and remains committed to her own growth through a lifelong love of learning.
Niamh Hassall, Events Coordinator
Niamh is the Events Coordinator for ELSA Next Generation.
Originally from North Yorkshire, Niamh moved to Hitchin at just 15 to pursue her dream of studying Musical Theatre. After earning a place at the prestigious Emil Dale Academy, she completed both a Level 3 Diploma and a Degree in Musical Theatre over five years. In her own time, she continues to write and perform as a singer-songwriter and auditions selectively for roles in the performing arts industry.
Following her training, Niamh signed with an agent and began auditioning for professional roles while also working at an infant school. It was during her time in an educational setting that her deep-rooted passion for education and supporting young people truly flourished. As Pastoral Lead and Assistant SENCO, she provided targeted emotional and educational support, including one-to-one work with a child with complex SEND needs. Her own school challenges have given her deep empathy and a strong drive to uplift and empower the next generation.
Niamh’s creativity, confidence, and people skills from her performing arts background are invaluable to her work at ELSA. She is always striving to connect new business professionals with the young people we support, opening doors for career exploration, mentoring, and inspiration.
Kesiah Nuttall-Crola
Kesiah spent 20+ years working for large American corporations including General Electric USA and later for Kearney: Global Management Consultancy Firm .She has lived and worked in the USA ,The Netherlands, France and Italy as well as back home in the UK.
She began working in the non profit sector while living in New York City, helping underprivileged children to gain access to an enriching and fulfilling education. Now back in London she works for Economic Fundamentals Initiative as well as supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the Cranfield Trust.
Passionate about ELSA developing as a non profit organisation, supporting the creation of new business partners and donors which in term expands ELSA’s support for young people.
Kieran Griffin
Kieran is from Hertfordshire and Chairman of Essendon Group, an organisation that offers advisory, capital investment and financial management services. He was Director of Addison Lee for 20 years and his recent acquisitions and business interests are held within the Leisure, Retail, Financial and Property sectors.
Kieran, co-owner of Essendon Country Club supports ELSA by providing the country club as a venue for various ELSA events. Kieran is passionate about supporting the young people ELSA works with, while also providing 1:1 support throughout event days showing students around the Essendon grounds and providing insight into the various roles that help run this beautiful venue. Kieran has also supported the young people ELSA work with by providing work experience opportunities, ensuring they become even more ‘work ready’!
Inspired by ELSA’s efforts and dedication, Kieran has provided financial and structural support to ensure their future development.
Kevin Shipley
Kevin brings over 30 years of experience in retail through his career with Waitrose and the John Lewis Partnership.
A specialist in strategic management, he has a strong track record in developing and implementing effective business strategies that drive results.
With expertise in customer service, people development, and operational leadership, Kevin supports ELSA in aligning its programmes with the expectations of both young people and partner organisations. His deep understanding of recruitment, diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility, and continuing professional development enriches ELSA’s approach and ensures our work reflects the values and priorities of a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation.
Jodie Jakeman
Jodie Jakeman is an ELSA Trustee and an Agile Project Management Analyst at Willmott Dixon. As an MBA graduate with expertise in project management, data analytics, and business improvement, she brings a strategic and solution-focused mindset to her work.
Jodie is passionate about ELSA’s mission to equip students with essential employment skills and opportunities. Drawing from her own lived experienced in care, she plays a key role in advocating for young people facing socioeconomic challenges and helps the board better understand the barriers they may encounter which helps shapes ELSA’s strategy.
Outside of her professional work, Jodie is an active mentor who is driven by a desire to leave things better than she found them. She also enjoys yoga, tennis and reading.
Paul Butler
Paul is a consultancy and interim management specialist with over 38 years financial services experiences leading large scale operations through transformation.
Paul utilises his change management and project management skills in tandem with his leadership skills to design, deliver and lead people through change. Paul’s skills and experience are an asset to ELSA, helping to design and support the delivery of our ambitious growth plans. Having been involved in the early stages of the Barclays LifeSkills programme, Paul has seen first hand how the right educational programmes and support can help children navigate from education to the workplace.
Paul is passionate about bringing new, innovative businesses practices to ELSA. He has been instrumental in finding and securing ELSA’s CRM, allowing the team to plan events and organise volunteers effectively and seamlessly.
Anthony
Anthony brings over 30 years experience in managing risk and finance, through his time in financial services.
Since 2005, Anthony has run his own risk/regulatory consultancy, Business 360. He has a wealth of financial knowledge, delivering solutions across the financial service sector.
Anthony has focused on developing solutions for boards and senior management to demonstrate application of risk strategies and culture aligning to the success of their businesses.
His primary role is to support ELSA in managing financial planning and funding streams, enabling the board of trustees to focus on the strategic and service delivery aspects for ELSA.
Careers Lead“Jane and the other staff at ELSA have been fundamental in the development and delivery of careers advice and guidance in our school.”
