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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.
read moreSouthampton 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
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.
read moreI 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.
Hi, Annette here, I’m the Scottish one. I have been with London Homestays since the start. I am primarily responsible for host management, host recruitment and bookings for our language school customers. I also have a general opinion on most subjects, which for those of you who have spoken to me, will already know. I have three adult sons, a grandson and 3 cats. I was born and raised in Scotland but moved to England some 30 plus years ago. There is still a hint of my Scottish accent, especially when I am cross 🙂
read moreSouthampton FC
What has been your biggest challenge?
My children
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
1925
How would your friends describe you?
Shy, reserved and kind
What is your favourite TV programme?
Peaky Blinders
What is your favourite food?
Veal in a cream & mushroom sauce
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Sunbathe on golden sands.
What does your perfect day look like?
Binge watch a good box set – with a box of chocolates beside me
Something we might not know about you?
Can’t say, a girl has to have some secrets.
Would you rather go to a comedy club, a night club or stay at home and watch a movie?
Comedy club
Hi, I’m Charlotte, I’m the friendly Accommodation Officer (and Admin Queen of the office). I have recently graduated from my apprentice role and I am now a fully-fledged member of the team. I have been part of the team since April 2015, and I work alongside different members of the team helping out with school enquires and direct bookings, as well as assisting Mark with the assessment appointments, so I’m an all-rounder! It’s great as I really enjoy learning about each department 🙂
read moreSad 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.
Hi, I am Priya and I am the Residence Booking and Relationship Manager and the general feeder of the team. I joined in October 2017 and have been responsible already for increasing the BMI of everyone in the office in such a short space of time.
Before joining the team I worked on-site in residences for almost 10 years and have a good understanding of how things work on the other side. Being part of the UK Residence team allows me to still communicate on a regular basis with the people who made me who I am today – a feeder.
read moreAnything Marvel
What is your favourite band?
Nine Inch Nails
Who are your favourite people in the world?
My daughter and three nieces (particularly the middle one, because she scares me slightly, so this might stop her from scaring me slightly)
What is your favourite thing to do in the world?
Feeding and encouraging everyone to eat all the wonderfully yummy things in life with me from 10 am through until 6 pm, Monday to Friday!!!
What are your major hates?
Being cold. If it’s not 30 degrees plus then I’m not happy…….unless there’s some food, then I’m slightly happy; cold, but slightly happy.
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!!
read moreAlien
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
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.
read moreSchindler’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
Hi, I’m Janina and I’m originally from Switzerland. I came to London in July 2017. I work alongside Charlotte and Annette and also do some stuff on the website.
I love London, exploring new places and broadening my horizons, anything with nature and being outside but I also love going out for a dance or staying in with a glass of wine and a good movie or film.
Gossip Girl – can’t stop watching it over and over again!
What is your favourite food?
Swiss chocolate.
If you woke up tomorrow as an animal, what animal would you choose to be and why?
I would be a parrot so I don’t lose my voice and can fly to all the places I like.
If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would the slogan be?
Everything gets better with coffee and chocolate.
What is your favourite city?
New York even though it’s freezing in the winter.
If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
Telekinesis – would save so much time and avoid stress while looking for something!
If you were to change your name, what name would you adopt going forward? Why?
I would take an easier/more common one something like Sara cause people almost always give me another name. Last week I was BANANA 😀
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.
read moreMostly sleeping and eating. Occasionally barking.
What is your favourite food?
Salmon and Dentastix
What is your least favourite musical?
Cats
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