Meet the team

We’re proud to be a family-run organisation, built on care, creativity, and a personal touch. Over the years, our team has grown into a wider family of dedicated staff members who share the same passion for supporting our students and making every exchange experience unforgettable.

Juliet Cliffin Cassells

Director

Juliet brings a lifelong passion for education, languages, and student wellbeing to everything we do. With an MA in Educational Leadership and a BA in applied languages as well as continuing to train as a professional coach and counsellor, she’s dedicated to helping young people thrive—both personally and academically. After 25 years in Germany as a German and Engish teacher, school principal, boarding school house parent and having been the national manager of two leading cultural exchange organisations and raising three children who lived and studied abroad, Juliet knows exactly what it takes to create a meaningful and supportive exchange experience. She’s led schools through growth, innovation, and change, and now channels that experience into making South England Exchange a place where students don’t just study abroad—they grow, succeed, and flourish.

juliet@southenglandexchange.org

Charlie Cassells

Student Services Manager/CELTA English teacher

Charlie has been immersed in the world of student exchange since childhood, growing up in a family dedicated to international education. Having lived in Germany, England, and Japan—where he taught English—he brings a truly global perspective to his role. His international background helps him connect effortlessly with students from all over the world.

As Student Services Manager, Charlie coordinates travel logistics, plans unforgettable cultural trips, and organises student events that bring the exchange experience to life. Whether it’s a day out in Oxford or a themed social event, Charlie makes sure students feel excited, connected, and part of something special.

He also leads our beloved volleyball club—one of the most popular student activities—and brings infectious energy, team spirit, and a big sense of fun to everything he does.

charlie@southenglandexchange.org

Andrew Cliffin

Director

After a successful 35+ years in the telecommunications industry, Andrew made a meaningful life shift—leaving the corporate world not only to marry Juliet but also to take on a pivotal role in the operations of South England Exchange. With a strong background in managing small businesses and collaborating with diverse teams around the globe, Andrew brings a wealth of experience in finance, commercial operations, and cross-cultural communication.

What truly drives him now, however, is working directly with students. Supporting young people as they navigate life far from home feels like a natural calling. Andrew finds deep satisfaction in guiding and encouraging international students, watching them grow in confidence, adapt to new environments, and thrive during their time in the UK. His thoughtful, steady presence and global perspective make him a valued part of the South England Exchange team.

andrew@southenglandexchange.org

Eve Crow

National Manager

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Eve is the driving force behind our student care and placement process. As National Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead, she oversees every stage of the exchange experience—from matching students with host families to coordinating with schools and international partners. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Eve plays a central role in shaping our programme and setting the high standards we’re known for. Her deep understanding of student welfare, strong leadership, and calm authority make her a cornerstone of the team and a reassuring presence for students, families, and colleagues alike. As a parent herself, Eve brings warmth and perspective to her role, always thinking about what’s best for each student.

eve@southenglandexchange.org

Sophia Cassells

Student Experience Manager

LLB European Law

Having grown up in Germany and moved to England at 14, Sophia knows firsthand what it’s like to start over in a new place—at exactly the age many of our exchange students do. Her journey didn’t stop there: she later moved to the Netherlands to study European Law, adding even more stamps to her passport and perspectives to her outlook.

With a background that spans three countries and cultures, Sophia brings an empathetic, international spirit to everything she does. She’s part of the second generation in this family-run organisation and plays a dynamic, behind-the-scenes role in making sure student life feels exciting, supportive, and full of possibility.

sophia@southenglandexchange.org

Elisha Bautista

Academic Lead

MA 19th Century Literature, Art, and Culture | BSc International Business and Linguistics | HarvardX Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature

Elisha has a lifelong love of history, literature, and the humanities. She has privately taught English and American literature, travelled to Sri Lanka to implement a literacy programme, and mentored university students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Outside teaching, she’s worked as a PR specialist, writer, researcher, 20th-century art dealer, and historian before joining us as an Academic Lead.

Her breadth of experience gives her an interdisciplinary perspective and a genuine curiosity about many subjects.

Elisha’s teaching is rigorous and supportive. She challenges students to think critically and interact thoughtfully with complex ideas, while creating an environment where they feel inspired to explore their own intellectual interests. She is passionate about helping every student discover what excites them academically, encouraging them to see learning not only as a pathway to achievement, but as an opportunity to better understand the world and their place within it.

elisha@southenglandexchange.org

Aiga Summersgill

Office Manager

With a distinguished background as a qualified lawyer in Germany, Aiga brings meticulous attention to detail to her role as Office Manager. She ensures that our accreditations and safeguarding procedures are handled with the utmost professionalism and care. She also liaises closely with social services, maintaining the highest standards across our programme. Aiga’s deep knowledge and steady guidance are essential to our team’s success and the wellbeing of our students.

aiga@southenglandexchange.org