Meet the team


Steve Horrigan, Operations Director & Founder, London Homestays

Hi, I’m Steve and I’m one of the co-founders of London Homestays. I am originally from Southampton, but moved up to London in 2007 and have lived here ever since, although I have slowly moved out from the centre and into the suburbs. My background is mostly in IT, and I am responsible for our website, back-end systems and technology, as well as key operational decisions.

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Which football team you support?
Southampton FC

What is your favourite book?
Game of Thrones series

What is your favourite TV programme?
Has to be between the Office, Alan Partridge and Peep Show. Big fan of English comedy.

What is your favourite food?
Home-made chilli con carne

What are your hobbies?
Playing/watching football and reading

What does your perfect day look like?
Long walk in the woods with my dog, watching daytime sport then out with friends in the evening


James McCall, Accommodation Director & Founder at London Homestays

Hi, my name is James and I am the co-founder of London Homestays and the director of accommodation. My responsibilities are varied and include everything from strategy to ensuring the accommodation we offer meets the British Council’s accreditation standards.

My background is with English language schools. I started off as an English teacher in Japan, then moved on to running a school and then to managing a group of schools. A large part of my role was sending language students from Japan to the UK and other countries. I also grew up in a family that hosted a lot of international students. I therefore have a good understanding of homestays from both a host’s and a student’s prospective.

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Tell us about your family?
I am married with one child and two Labrador dogs to keep me busy.

What do you do at the weekend?
As above, most of my weekends are spent either with my son, with my dogs or going on long walks with all three. Apart from that, I like meeting friends, watching sports and when I have time kayaking.

What is your favourite TV programme?
I like Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders as well as comedies such as People Just Do Nothing.

What is your favourite music?
I tend to like music other people think is miserable. My wife loves pop but I am the opposite, I like Joy Division, Radiohead and Arcade Fire.

If money was no object, what would you do all day?
I’d love to live a quiet life somewhere like the New Forest. My ideal day would involve a long dog walk in the morning, then something like sailing or kayaking in the afternoon, followed by some good food and some whiskey in the evening.


Charlotte Wooller, Bookings Manager at London Homestays

Hi, I’m Charlotte! I am the friendly bookings manager here at London Homestays, I have been part of the team since I graduated from my apprenticeship role in 2015, many moons ago. I have worked in almost all the different aspects of our company and love the diversity of my role, managing all accommodation bookings from student residences to homestays. I especially love getting to talk and build relationships with our host families and partners, so if you have an interest in travelling, animals or Love Island then I am sure we will have lots to talk about! 

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What is your favourite film?
Sad but it has to be one of the Harry Potters!

What is your favourite food?
Chocolate.

What would be your dream holiday destination?
Bahamas

Something we might not know about you?
I have 28 animals in total.

What is your favourite book?
Restoration by Rose Tremain

What does your perfect day look like?
A long day on the beach, soaking in the sun, swimming, with an ice cold drink.

If you could have one superpower what would it be?
The power of time travel.

What animal would you like to be reincarnated as?
A killer whale.


Ellie Byrne, Booking Administrator at London Homestays

Hey I’m Ellie and I have been part of the team since March 2019. I am one of the booking administrators here and work alongside Annette and Charlotte assisting with the bookings. You’ll probably speak to me if ever you drop the office a quick call 🙂

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What is your favourite movie?
The Shining.

What is your favourite TV programme?
Breaking Bad every time.

What are your hobbies?
I love to bake and spend most my weekends trying to make something I haven’t baked before. Not quite good enough for the Great British Bake Off just yet!

What is your favourite food?
Baklava

If you could only take 3 items with you to a desert island, what would they be?
Hammock, a notepad so I can doodle and an inflatable boat.


Luke Jackson, Booking Administrator at London Homestays

Hi, I’m Luke, born and raised in South London, so if you’re calling from outside London to book a homestay you’ll definitely get some early experience speaking to Londoners. I am one of the Booking Administrators here at London Homestays. I work alongside other members of the team, helping out with school enquires, direct bookings and other things which help towards keeping everything functioning.

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What is your favourite food?
Chinese!

What are your favourite TV programmes?
Peaky Blinders and Breaking Bad

What is your favourite book?
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell.

What is your dream holiday destination?
Canadian Rockies

How would your friends describe you?
Reserved but cheeky at the same time!

Something we might not know about you?
I may not sound like I am, but I’m also Irish. Some people might compare me to Andy Townsend.


Yan Scheidegger, Accommodation Intern at London Homestays

Hi, my name is Yan and I am doing an internship here in London. I grew up in Switzerland and chose to do move to London for a few months with the intention to improve my English and get to know this amazing city before I go back to study in Switzerland. I have been part of the team since August 2019 and I am looking forward to staying here until summer 2020. I am having a great time working at London Homestays!

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What is your favourite TV programme?
Family Guy

What are your hobbies?
I really like to go out with friends at the weekends, to have some drinks and have a laugh together. I also love riding through Swiss mountains on my motorcycle. But as I did not have enough space in my luggage and the traffic in London does not look inviting for a tour, I have to put this hobby aside for the moment.

What is your favourite food?
Fondue of course!

What is your favourite holiday destination?
I visited Mexico and I would definitely go again.

If you could transport yourself to any period in time, what would it be?
I think it would be to the Roman era, because I am really interested in the history of Romans.


Pam Horrigan, Accounts & Credit Control at London Homestays

Hi, I’m Pam and I look after the accounts and services for the company, such as making payments, raising invoices and dealing with the banks. I have been with them since the start, after leaving my previous position as credit and treasury manager of a large chemical company. I have one adult son, 2 cats and a horse to keep me busy and fairly poor but they are worth it!!

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What is your favourite film?
Alien

What is your favourite food?
Chocolate, but don’t tell Slimming World!

What do you do at the weekend?
Ride horse, look after horse, shop and sleep. I live in the New Forest so it is the perfect place for all of these.

What is your favourite book?
Anything by Bill Bryson, so funny.

What is your dream holiday destination?
Venice, magical place.

Who are your favourite bands?
The Beatles, Stranglers or the Smiths


Mark Tattersall, Accommodation Assessor at London Homestays

Hi, I am Mark and I am the Accommodation Assessor for London Homestays, and I have been part of the team since 2013. My role involves making a personal visit to prospective hosts to ensure that the property complies with the guidelines laid down by the British Council, to answer any questions the applicant may have about hosting students.

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What is your favourite film?
Schindler’s List

What is your favourite food?
Ice cream

Which football team do you support?
Chelsea

What do you do at the weekend?
Chase up expired Gas Certificates 🙂

What would be your dream job?
Formula One driver

What is your dream holiday destination?
Elba

Watch sports or play sports?
Play but age has taken its toll!

If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Not very much.

What is your favourite book?
The Leader and the Damned – Colin Forbes


Harry, office pug at London Homestays

Hi, I am Harry and I am the office pug at London Homestays. I warmly greet any visitors to the office and bark at any scary looking vehicles that pass by. If you call the office, chances are you will hear me in the background, followed by someone spraying me with a water sprayer.

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What are your hobbies?
Mostly sleeping and eating. Occasionally barking.

What is your favourite food?
Salmon and Dentastix

What is your least favourite musical?
Cats


Please click here to view our organisation hierarchy structure (Excel)

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