Meet our mentors
From CV tips, to levelling up your career or going freelance - we've got you covered.
Heads up - applications to take part in our January 2025 mentoring day have now closed. But watch this space! We will be running a similar event soon.
Want to get some career advice for FREE from one of our mentors? You’re going to want to keep on scrolling…
Welcome to our incredible lineup of mentors at NXT LVL. Each mentor brings a wealth of experience across various industries, from marketing and finance to social media, talent management, and beyond. Whether you're looking to break into a new field, sharpen your skills, or gain insider knowledge, this is your chance to learn directly from the best in the business.
Want to secure an exclusive 30-minute mentoring session? Make sure you:
Are following us on Substack, and Instagram @nxtlvlcareer
Find the mentor whose expertise resonates most with your goals, and hit the Apply to work with… button below their bio.
We’ll be selecting two lucky winners per mentor for an exclusive 45-minute mentoring session… good luck!
Sedge Beswick
Cutting her teeth straight out of uni at iconic brands like Red Bull, Three UK, and ASOS, Sedge has over 15 years of experience driving brand growth through social media (and has first hand experience of learning on the job!)
Fast forward to 2024, social is a thriving industry with 3.8 billion people actively engaging worldwide. Sedge also guest lectures regularly at schools and universities to introduce students to creative careers, mentoring over 50 individuals across the UK to help them step confidently into the industry.
Areas of expertise:
CVs workshopping, interview tips
Social media, influencers
Going out alone - freelancing or setting up a business
Giselle Elsom
With a career spanning across top-tier agencies like Frank and Goat, Giselle Elsom brings over a decade of experience to her role as Managing Director at Truffle Social. Her journey has seen her work with some of the most dynamic brands in the social media and digital marketing space, crafting strategies that drive growth and engagement.
Giselle’s leadership at Truffle has helped the agency evolve into a key player in the ever-changing landscape of social media. Her expertise lies in blending creativity with data-driven insights to build campaigns that resonate with audiences and deliver real results.
Areas of expertise:
Digital marketing
Social media marketing
Strategy and creative direction
Emily Gough
Emily Gough is a dynamic finance professional and advocate for women in the finance industry. A part-qualified ACCA accountant with a background in both accounting and recruitment, Emily shares her wealth of knowledge on her TikTok channel, @emilytalksfinance, where she’s amassed over 90K likes for her insightful and engaging content.
Known for her open and honest approach, Emily talks candidly about her career journey, including her experiences as a ‘career hopper’ and her passion for encouraging more women to step into leadership roles within finance. Whether breaking down complex financial concepts or offering leadership tips, Emily uses her platform to inspire the next generation of women in finance.
Areas of expertise:
Job interview tips
Career growth and achieving success
Finance tips
Georgia Farquharson
As the CEO and founder of FARQ – the UK’s leading influencer agency for Home, DIY, and Interior creators – Georgia Farquharson is transforming the way influencers and brands collaborate. Under her leadership, FARQ represents 25 of the top influencers across both the UK and US, securing over $4.5 million in brand deals across these markets.
What makes FARQ stand out is Georgia’s commitment to building a supportive, close-knit community for creators, tackling the often isolating nature of the influencer industry. FARQ is not just about business – it’s about creating a space where creators can thrive, support one another, and learn through collaboration. At the heart of Georgia’s work is a belief that success isn’t finite, and that fostering a community of growth, education, and empowerment is key to long-term success.
Areas of expertise:
Working with influencers/talent management
Overcoming adversity/trauma and coming back stronger
How to network to get your foot in the door
How to quit your day job and turn your passion into a career
Chloe McCullough
Chloe’s career in marketing began at the INKEY list, where she cut her teeth as a Brand Manager before making her mark at JD Sports as Influencer & Talent Marketing Manager. Over the years, Chloe has continuously levelled up, combining her deep understanding of brand strategy with a passion for digital storytelling.
Now leading JD Sports' YouTube channel, Chloe’s expertise in content strategy, influencer partnerships, and audience engagement has helped elevate the brand’s presence on one of the world’s most dynamic platforms. Her role sees her at the intersection of creativity and analytics, shaping content that speaks directly to the brand’s core audience while driving significant growth and engagement.
Areas of expertise:
Video content/YouTube
How to progress in your career - fast
Careers in content/social media
Lydia Hunter
Lydia Hunter is a marketing consultant with over 15 years of expertise across the beauty and lifestyle industries, working with leading brands like Estée Lauder Companies, L’Oréal, and innovative beauty start-ups. She began her career in D2C eCommerce and has since evolved her scope to cover holistic digital strategies that connect eCommerce, digital media, brand partnerships, social, influencer marketing, PR, and advocacy. Lydia combines the excellence of big brands with the agility of start-ups, offering a unique blend of creative, commercial, and technical insights.
As a consultant, Lydia now partners with brands at all stages, from guiding early-stage start-ups to revitalising legacy brands with bold strategies. She is passionate about digital brand positioning, social media and influencer marketing, advocacy, and team building.
Areas of expertise:
Grads/recent grads seeking a well-rounded understanding of marketing, communications, and PR, including navigating internships, applications, and grad schemes
Individuals with a specific interest in digital marketing as a first role or career pivot
Professionals aiming to transition into beauty/lifestyle from other sectors
Guidance for entering and advancing within large corporations
Support with overcoming early-to-mid career challenges
Tim Harrison
Tim is a strategic and creative marketer with extensive experience in global fashion brand marketing, from creative brand management to fully integrated, multichannel campaigns. He has worked with major names like ABBA Voyage (as Senior Marketing Manager), Ogilvy, and ASOS, where he developed expertise across brand, social media, and communications.
Recently certified as an MOE life and personal coach, Tim now also offers coaching in personal development, focused life guidance, and small business growth. His approach blends deep industry knowledge with a passion for empowering individuals and businesses to reach their full potential.
Areas of expertise:
Life coaching/guidance
Small business coaching
Branding, social media, comms
Jake Lee
Jake is the founder & CEO of Alpha Talent Group, the UK’s fastest-growing and most innovative talent management agency. After leaving his role within the football industry in 2019, Jake used the time to identify a gap in the market for a boutique talent agency that provided both professional success and personal support. With a focus on genuine, personalised management, Alpha Talent Group was born, putting the well-being of its clients at the core of its ethos.
Since its launch, Alpha has grown into a leading agency, representing high-profile content creators, athletes, and personalities such as Tommy Fury, Emma Walsh, Mac Griffiths, Miles Nazaire & Tess Montgomery. Collaborating with global brands like L’Oréal Paris, M&S, Diesel, and Abercrombie & Fitch, the agency has delivered exceptional results. Jake also expanded the business with Alpha Talent Sport, a division dedicated to managing commercial opportunities for creators within the sports vertical and professional athletes across football, boxing, and athletics, including brokering a standout partnership between Mo Farah and L’Oréal Paris for their Movember campaign.
Areas of expertise:
Entrepreneurship
Sports management
Social media & content creation
Ellie Cross
As Senior Marketing Manager, Ellie leads Starling Banks' partnership activity. With a career to date focussing on shaping brand community campaigns, Ellie joined Starling in 2021 and has since led key high-profile brand projects which have included National Sponsorship of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, Principle Partner of Southampton FC Women and talent relationships with the Lionesses.
Areas of expertise:
Brand marketing
Partnerships and sponsorships
Campaign strategy
Women’s sports and purpose-driven initiatives
Jessica Tompkinson
Jessica is a communication powerhouse, with 20 years working in the world’s largest companies - she knows a thing or two about turning tough situations into powerful stories. With a passion for connecting people and ideas, she’s tackled some of the biggest challenges companies face - think reputation shakeups, crisis moments, and brand transformations.
Known for blending creativity with strategy, Jessica knows how to craft messages that hit home, spark conversations, and drive real change. Whether it’s navigating a tricky situation or building campaigns that resonate with global audiences, she is all about keeping it authentic, relatable, and impactful.
For Jessica, it’s not just about solving problems, it’s about creating opportunities, building trust, and helping brands thrive in a fast-paced, always-on world.
Areas of expertise:
Getting into corporate comms / PR
Bringing creativity to problem solving at work
Managing upwards and getting your opinions heard
Interview prep
Confidence boosting
Changing direction in your career
Matt Bradley
Matthew Bradley is the founder of Talent Athlete Group (TAG), a pioneering sports management agency with a focus on empowering female athletes. Dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full commercial potential, TAG specialises in building and enhancing personal brands.
TAG supports female athletes at every stage of their careers - from Olympians and internationals to emerging professionals and high-profile creators. By facilitating meaningful and authentic partnerships, Matthew and his team connect athletes with brands that share their values and common goals, ensuring impactful collaborations that drive success both on and off the field.
Areas of expertise:
Sports management
Personal branding
Entrepreneurship
Natalia Cortazar
Natalia Cortazar is the founder of The Good Egg, a self-funded boutique agency specialising in ethical influencer marketing and social-for-good entrepreneurship. Representing a new generation of Southern European professionals succeeding on the international stage, Natalia has worked with an impressive roster of clients, including Visit Oman, JYSK Iberia, and Silverstone.
In addition to her agency work, Natalia is a prolific LinkedIn creator and sought-after speaker, earning recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year. Her expertise has led to lecturing at esteemed institutions such as Edinburgh University and Universidad Complutense de Madrid, as well as managing the Influencer Marketing course for Elle Magazine.
Areas of expertise:
Founding your own agency
Influencer marketing
Cause-led work
Building a career as an expat/immigrant
Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply now and let our mentors guide you towards your goals. This is your moment - don’t miss it.