Speakers and Presentations
Our volunteer speakers come from a wide background and all share a common success. Here each speaker presents a brief profile.
Detailed below are recent and future presentations. If you would like to attend a future presentation please contact us in order that we can arrange this with the relevant school.
Volunteer speaker profiles - meet the presenters:
Mark Hubbocks
Mark Hubbocks was at 30 years old, one of the youngest ever partners in Stevenage based Wagstaffs Chartered Accountants 50 year history. He left his state comprehensive school in Luton achieving 10 GCSE Grades A to C along with 3 A Levels before attending London Guildhall University to attain a Business Studies with Corporate Finance degree. With a desire to win and using his father as a role model who he wished to make proud, he achieved a 2:1 with honours at the end of his four year sandwich course.
During his enthusiastic open presentation he shares his own recipe for success including goal setting, hard work, dedication underpinned with the desire to succeed. He ensures the students understand his absolute belief that "no one will do it for you - you must do it for yourself!"
Mandy Probert
Mandy Probert Buying Manager for Home Interiors at Debenhams in London, left Barclay School aged 18 with nine GCSE's, including 6 grade A's, and 3 A Levels. She attended university at the Winchester School of Art studying textile design attaining a 2:1.
She worked as a freelance textile designer before joining Debenhams buying office 15 years ago. She now holds the Home Buying Managers position working across Debenhams own brand and with designer labels such as John Rocha, Jasper Conran and Kevin McCloud.
This challenging and exciting position requires commitment and often long hours with global buying responsibilities that require her to regularly visit other countries including China, India, Taiwan and cities such as Hong Kong, New York, Frankfurt and Paris.
Education is the best way to change a child’s life chances and Uniqueness gives them the confidence to grasp that education.
Stephen McPartland - Member of Parliament for Stevenage
Uniqueness has identified a hugely important service for those reaching the end of their schooldays and facing the daunting prospect of a future career. Knowing one's strengths and weaknesses and identifying achievable targets are a sound recipe for success.
Lord Cobbold
This worthy effort is a major contribution to filling the void in many school curricula in respect of preparing students for their adult lives. It deserves every success and all the support it can generate.
Professor Clive Dimmock - Professional Learning & Leadership, University of Glasgow, UK
Robert Stewart
Uniqueness founder, Cambridge based Robert Stewart, in 1989 aged 23 founded the award winning specialist global polythene supplier, Stevenage Packaging Ltd. Thity five years on, the company has demonstrated 35 years consecutive net profit and sales growth, whilst never making a redundancy & employing three family generations. Robert and his company have won a number of regional awards: New Business Enterprise Award, Against All Odds Award, Employee of the Year Award and Robert has won Business Person of the Year Award.
Robert founded the volunteer only charity Uniqueness 20 years ago in 2003 and has personally spoken to over 6,000 students and works on a one-to-one basis with, young, prolific & persistent offenders. Uniqueness sponsor Tony Franklin's not for profit organisation, Time2Change who specifically work with prolific & persistent offenders.
Uniqueness works closely with the Princes Trust, YMCA and the Hertfordshire Police.
Lisa Green
Lisa Green partner at Foreman Laws Solicitors in Hitchin and former Bedwell School (now Marriotts) student, left after sixth form to work for Provident Mutual after achieving average A-level results.
After one year in the commercial world Lisa went to the City of London University, studying Business Law, before going on to achieve First Class Honours in her law society finals at the college of Law.
Lisa will provide a great insight into the personal hurdles she faced, coming from an ordinary background to become a successful commercial Solicitor and Partner advising many of the regions leading companies and entrepreneurs in acquisitions and sales whilst balancing all this, with motherhood.
Presentation dates: when is it on?
Detailed below are recent and future presentations. If you would like to attend a future presentation please e-mail us in order that we can arrange this with the relevant school.
What I wish I'd known at 17
St John's College, Cambridge
Host: Hilary Stewart
Speakers: Martha Lutton Cobbold, Barbara Follett, Joanne Smith
Hertfordshire Police C2 1-to-1 Mentoring
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 1-to-1 Mentoring
Speakers: Robert Stewart
The Nobel School
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Time Two Change Charity
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Speakers: Robert Stewart
The Nobel School
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Digswell Garden Centre
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
The Living Room
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Digswell Garden Centre
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Speaking at The Nobel School
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Time Two Change
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police and Wagstaffs
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Nobel School with Sherma Batson MBE DL CC - Mayor of Stevenage
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Nobel School
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Hertfordshire Police C2 Programme
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Speakers: Tony Franklin (Time 2 Change)
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Mount Grace School
Potters Bar
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Princes Trust / YMCA
Stevenage
Speakers: Robert Stewart
Thomas International
The Prince's Trust
Stevenage Packaging Limited
Herts Chamber Commerce
Foreman Laws
Barclays Bank
Hertfordshire Police
RHG Insurance Brokers
The Consulting Consortium
Sponsors
We would like to say a sincere THANK YOU to the sponsors who have provided financial support or enormous time and goodwill of talented individuals within their organisations.
Ways to support us
There are several ways to get involved with the work of Uniqueness. Options include a one-off donation or regular monthly giving, enabling us to make a difference in thousands of young people's lives.