Staff

ANDREA FREEMAN  

Principal

Andrea became the Principal of Oxford Media & Business School in July 2005.   

After graduating with an Education degree, Andrea has devoted her entire career to educating and training young people. Her vast experience includes teaching business studies, communication and presentation skills, as well as both developing and teaching the Professional Business Diploma Personal Development Planning module.  In addition to teaching, Andrea has worked for numerous examination boards as an Examiner and Principal Moderator, as well as writing various articles for business magazines. She has also spent over 20 years in local Oxfordshire school governor positions, including 12 years at a local co-educational senior school. 

Andrea is a qualified Myers Briggs consultant, having had experience of delivering the MBTI programme to all her students, alongside being an NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier. Outside of OMBS, Andrea loves to spend time with her family and grandchildren, and is currently taking art classes which she really enjoys.  

SARAH BADGER 

Vice – Principal  

After studying for a BSc in Human Psychology, Sarah went on to work within the field of mental health with vulnerable adults for over 10 years.  Deciding upon a career change, Sarah joined OMBS in June 2015.  She loves the variety of the role and seeing the students grow in confidence and maturity. 

Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, walking her two dogs, and when she has time, baking cakes and felting. 

JEFF BETHRAY 

Bursar  

Jeff has been the Bursar at Oxford Media & Business School since 2007, concentrating on group finance, student accounts and accommodation. Before this, Jeff had a long and distinguished career for St Aldates College, initially heading up the Business Studies Department, before moving into Building Management and Group Finance. He  has also worked in the Freight Forwarding industry, served in the RAF, and has lectured in Management Studies. 

Jeff is a very keen rower and can often be found in the early morning with his crew out on the river Thames. 

BENJAMIN MARGETTS 

Director of Studies & Head of IT 

With a background in systems engineering and computer science, Ben has taught mathematics and computer science in international and UK secondary schools for over twenty years. He enjoys a challenge and holds several IT and cloud certifications. 

Ben hails from Portsmouth and proudly promotes the wonders of his home city to anybody who will listen – the Mary Rose Museum, Spinnaker Tower, the harbour, Southsea, The Fratton, the list goes on! 

Ben usually spends his holidays in Cambodia. He loves watching cricket, rugby and sci-fi, and is currently reading for a PhD exploring children and young people’s positive school experiences. 

PETER MADAMS 

Head of Business 

Peter has been teaching Business and IT at OMBS since 2016, and thoroughly enjoys his role as well as watching the students grow in ability and confidence. 

He has assumed many varied roles in his career, working in broadcasting, to being a proof reader, a stagehand, a student warden, and even working as a DJ. His teaching career started in Indonesia in the 1990s, then moving to Sicily before settling in Oxford to focus on teaching IT in an international school. 

Peter is an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician in a local four-piece band, and often tries to bring music into the classroom at opportune moments such as Christmas or graduation celebrations. 

SALLY TIMBERLAKE 

Event Management Tutor 

Sally originally joined St Aldates College 37 years ago as an IT and shorthand tutor. Having grown up in Hong Kong until she was 18, her working life started after a teachers’ training course in London, and attendance at a secretarial college in Oxford. She worked as PA to the City Rector of Oxford before becoming PA to the Sales Manager of J D Barclays. Sally then ran a catering company for three years which introduced her to event organisation. Her teaching career began after her children were born, and she has taught multiple subjects – IT, Pitman and Teeline shorthand systems, Business Communication and Graphic Design (on Mac) as part of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Course. She now teaches our Event Management Skills module. 

Sally enjoys equine massage on her retired horse, gardening, her pond full of Koi and has returned to drawing when she has time. 

TESSA OLIVER 

Head of Financial Services 

Tessa attended OMBS after attending Westonbirt School, having been unsure if university was for her. The 9-month course suited her perfectly, making friends for life and learning key skills which led to a 10-year career as an Executive Assistant in London.  Using her employment skills, Tessa now runs a Virtual Assistant services business alongside working in the Finance Team at OMBS.  

Tessa loves being active and running around after her two little girls, ideally while also spending time on beaches in Cornwall or up snow-covered mountains. 

POLLY COEY 

Digital Marketing Tutor 

After gaining a degree in English and Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University, Polly enrolled at OMBS. She loved the course and developed an interest in marketing, after studying what was then called the Business Communications module.  

She then spent the next eight years as a marketer in the charity, publishing, and education sectors. She successfully delivered both global and UK-based campaigns using a wide range of different tactics, from email and social media marketing to festival partnerships and video marketing – and (almost) everything in-between!  

She is delighted to have returned to OMBS, this time not as a student, but as a teacher.  

ROGER CHRISTIANSEN

IT & Marketing Tutor 

After studying English Literature at Jesus College in Cambridge, Roger developed a career in the IT Industry. After working for 5 years at a startup business he then worked at local IT company Research Machines. After that he worked at global brands IBM and Ricoh in Marketing and Business Development roles at worldwide, european and local level. Several times in his career he’s been involved in taking new technologies to market, including launching one of the first global e-learning solutions, as well as high-speed print on demand colour inkjet in the publishing market. 

Since 2016 Roger has been building a new career as a lecturer, teacher and freelance consultant. 

Outside of work, Roger loves cycling, paddleboarding and mountain walks – in fact anything that involves getting wet, cold and muddy! 

JO DONELAN 

Personal Development Planning Tutor & Careers Adviser 

Having worked in the London business support recruitment market for 25 years and in partnership with OMBS for much of this time mentoring students, giving talks and delivering work experience programmes, Jo considers it a privilege to have joined the OMBS team in 2025 as our Personal Development Planning Tutor and Careers Advisor. 

She is looking forward to guiding our students through the innovative Personal Development Planning curriculum, whilst also strengthening and developing relationships with industry, agencies and OMBS alumni. 

JEREMY RENALS 

IT & Business Tutor 

Jeremy teaches IT and business at OMBS, using skills gained from over 25 years working commercially and teaching in colleges. After graduating in maths and physics he discovered a talent for technical communications, leading to a career writing for business and teaching business skills at university-access level. His last full-time role was for seven years, writing proposals for multi-million-pound security contracts. Jeremy likes jazz, and plays percussion in a regular little jam in his local village pub. He’s now also learning to blow raspberries down a metal tube – which almost passes for playing the trumpet! 

ALISON BLOOMFIELD

Schools Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer 

Starting with two degrees in Geology as a mature student, Alison switched to what she knew she was good at and enjoyed the most – talking with young people about their futures. Her career has been spent working in marketing, admissions and student recruitment in international sixth form colleges, Oxford University study abroad programmes, English language schools, and now for OMBS. 

Alison spends her time visiting schools around the country attending careers and futures fairs, giving talks to students encouraging them to think more broadly about their higher education options. 

Alison has a fascination for the history of the City of London and enjoys walking along the River Thames. One of her most satisfying achievements was planting a community orchard in her village. 

SHILPA SHAJI 

Admissions & Accommodation Assistant 

Shilpa joined OMBS at the start of 2026 as an Admissions and Accommodation Assistant. Shilpa brings to her role over ten years of experience across Healthcare, Administration, and Risk & Quality Management. Her professional background spans corporate, government, and healthcare settings, where she has developed strong organisational, coordination, and compliance skills. 

 Outside of work, Shilpa enjoys cooking—particularly Indian cuisine—while listening to music, and has cultivated henna (mehndi) painting as a creative pastime for many years. She also values spending quality time with her family, which is central to maintaining balance in her personal and professional life. 

BETH KIRK 

Head of Marketing

Beth works freelance for OMBS alongside running her own consultancy, offering marketing support and training to SME’s across the UK. After graduating with an English degree from Cardiff University she gained graduate entry into corporate business, where she then spent 18 years working for large global brands such as Coca-Cola and GSK. Whilst there she gained experience in managing and leading sales and account management teams, as well as spending time in operational and shopper marketing roles. 

After having a young family, Beth decided to upskill into digital marketing and establish her own marketing services business. 

Outside of work, Beth loves the outdoors and is happy doing anything fitness related – whether it’s running, swimming, cycling or walking. She also loves spending time with her family and young children.