Rachel initially trained as a musician, specialising in classical saxophone, at the prestigious Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music, gaining a Bachelor of Music with 1st class honours and Master of Arts with distinction, respectively. As a multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piano), her career as a freelance professional musician was extremely varied, performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral member in venues such as St. John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and Glyndebourne Opera House, as well as venues in Europe and Asia.

A particular career highlight was playing clarinet for Tooting Arts Club’s critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd, which transferred to London’s West End (Shaftesbury Avenue), supported by Cameron Mackintosh, and regularly visited in person by none other than the composer himself, the late Stephen Sondheim. During this time, Rachel also delivered outreach programmes and workshops, as well as preparing students for various music exams, and it was this experience in the education sector that led her to pursue a career in education recruitment initially, placing teachers, support, and administrative staff in schools across London.

Having found this extremely rewarding, Rachel decided to make the move to TPP as their dedicated consultant working with awarding organisations across the country to ensure they have the dedicated, specialised education and training staff they need to continue the invaluable contribution they make to the UK education landscape. Rachel is also a proud member of TPP’s EDI Steering Group, which works hard to ensure that both TPP and our clients are aware of their EDI responsibilities, and that they are taking the necessary steps to promote greater diversity and inclusion as part of their standard recruitment processes.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys travelling and learning about new cultures – she has been lucky enough to visit many countries in Europe, Asia, and South America, including Brazil no less than 5 times! She is also a real animal lover and has a twelve-year-old border terrier (dog) called Pepper, a thirteen-year-old moggy (cat) called Luna and an extremely mischievous one-year-old British Shorthair (cat) called Fluff!

Why did you join TPP?

I joined TPP, as I really appreciate their ethical ethos and principles. Right from the beginning of my recruitment process, they really stood out as an organisation that is passionate and knowledgeable about what they do and wholeheartedly committed to raising awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and wider world beyond. Not only that but they truly practice what they preach!

Your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement would have to be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in 1 hour 55 minutes back in 2014 – oh to be that fit again!

Unusual fact?

I have tried and tried over the years, but I just cannot roll my “R’s”, which is ironic considering both my first and last name begin with the letter “R”!

Favourite film or book?

I realise it’s a cliché, but I love the Harry Potter series – I’ve read all the books, watched all the films and even have a Harry Potter tattoo!

Tea or Coffee?

Well, unusual as it may be, I drink a cup of tea first thing every morning, but from then on its coffee all the way!