Higher Ed Partners (HEP) is a UK entity that establishes and manages digital campuses for universities.

She spent the past 15 years working in a close partnership, in one office, with Randy Best, learning everything about the art of business from him as they co-managed BMP’s constituent businesses, including Academic Partnerships (AP), Ilumno and American College of Education (ACE). After the divestiture of AP and ACE, Justyna co-founded with Randy Higher Ed International and its constituent enterprises trading under the name of Higher Ed Partners in North and South America, Africa and Europe.

Geoff leads HEP’s EMENA business unit. He has spent more than a decade in the higher education industry, launching new initiatives focused on digital transformation and internationalization. Before joining HEP, Geoff was CEO of Cambridge Education Group Digital where he worked closely with partner universities to create, market and deliver part-time online and blended university programmes to students around the world. Prior to that, Geoff was CEO of Metis Education Partnerships Limited, a startup that assisted UK universities meet their internationalization and online strategic objectives. He began his foray into higher education as director of strategy and development at INTO university partnerships.

Before moving to higher education, Geoff spent his career in the telecommunication industry, initially as a commercial attorney and then as a commercial executive leading sales and marketing. He holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of Bristol in the UK.

Steve Wheeler serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Higher Ed Partners, responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing plans for HEP’s worldwide University customers.  Working closely with our business leaders and marketing teams his focus is to enhance market presence, attract new customers, retain students and accelerate growth.

Steve is based in our London office and brings over 25 years of marketing experience from other innovative and fast-growing B2B and B2C organisations, including Emirates Airlines, Kaplan International, Elsevier, and Clarivate/ProQuest. With global expertise in customer acquisition and retention, digital transformation and brand strategy, he brings a consistent record of profitable and sustainable business growth for mission-based organisations.

Steve has 10 years of dedicated marketing and communications experience in the Higher Education sector, supporting Universities and Medical schools worldwide with transformative teaching and training products, software and services. 

Steve holds a B.Sc. in Economics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, has served as a Global Committee Member for the International Advertising Association and on the Advisory Board of the Worldwide Federation of Advertisers.

Kate Lindsay, SVP Academic Services, spearheads academic partnerships with UK universities, enhancing online programme design from accreditation through to module development, and evaluation. Kate has worked for over twenty years at the intersection of strategy, learning, and digital innovation including leading roles at the University of Oxford and the University College of Estate Management, one of the UK’s pioneering fully online universities. She’s a regular speaker at sector events, commentating on topics such as expanding educational access through technology and digital teaching advancements.

I’m looking to bring my strategic HR leadership, change management expertise, and passion for people to a Chief People Officer, HR Director, or Head of People role where I can shape the future of work. If you’re seeking a proactive leader who can navigate the complexities of scaling HR in a global environment while driving meaningful change, let’s connect. I’d love to discuss how I can help your organisation achieve its people and business goals.