Head Office Team

OMAR MOHAMED - DIRECTOR

Omar is the founder and Director of Work the World.

Prior to the launch of Work the World in 2005, Omar worked in the gap year industry promoting responsible travel for six years. His career has involved working for extensive periods of time in eleven destinations, which span North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. During this time Omar was arranging, developing and overseeing work-experience projects in the fields of social welfare, education, health and conservation. 

Tim Milnes - Operations Manager

Having worked as an Operations Manager during seven winter seasons in France, Switzerland and Austria, Tim joins Work the World with an abundance of experience. Tim has either backpacked or lived in Colombia, Ecuador, the Galapagos, Peru, Malaysia, Borneo, Australia, New Zealand… the list goes on. Tim loves skiing, trekking, and football, and is currently learning Spanish. 

JOE JAMIESON - CONTENT STRATEGIST

Joe joined Work the World in 2014 after hammering out a career in digital marketing and copywriting working for some of the travel industry’s most notable brands. Today, Joe's depth of understanding of both the digital landscape and Work the World's service has earned him the title of Content Strategist. Having travelled extensively, Joe's favourite experiences include a 4-month jaunt around Thailand, living and working in Tokyo, a tour of Europe’s finest, travelling the length of Mexico on public buses, seeing giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, and an eye-opening interval in Morocco.

ALASDAIR THOMPSON - ELECTIVE CONSULTANT

After graduating, Alasdair spent 2 years travelling extensively around southern Africa. He then moved to Brighton, where he accrued experience across a wide variety of roles within ski tour operations. Joining Work the World in May 2013, Alasdair is now an expert in guiding our prospective candidates towards their perfect elective, sharing his enthusiasm for all of our fantastic destinations. In his spare time, Alasdair is a keen skier and cyclist.

CAROL BOLGER - HEAD OF MARKETING

Carol joined Work the World in 2016 having spent over 8 years working within the travel industry, more specifically marketing summer and winter activity holidays as well as educational group trips. She now leads Work the World's global marketing team. Carol caught the travel bug while backpacking around Asia in her mid-twenties and has since travelled through India, Nepal, Japan, North America and most recently, Ghana and Sri Lanka.

ROBERT GIDDINGS - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Rob joined Work the World in 2010 as the Africa Operations Manager, and the success of our Tanzania programme is a tribute to his efforts—he even learned Swahili. Now, as Operations Director, Rob oversees both the development and management of every one of our global programmes. Working closely with our team of Operations Managers, Rob ensures our programmes offer exceptional placement opportunities, while maintaining strong hospital partnerships around the world. Prior to joining the team, Rob specialised in teaching English to foreign students, spending two years in Japan and two in South Korea.

REBECCA LAPPER - OPERATIONS MANAGER

Becky joined Work the World after completing a Master's in Responsible Tourism Management. Brought up in Malawi and Zambia, Becky’s eclectic work life has ranged from crocodile watching on the Zambezi, working in an AIDS clinic, running a raucous music pub in Kilkenny, to working as a resort manager in Ibiza for nine years.

Amelia Howlett - Head of Administration

Amelia joined Work the World in 2015. Working most recently as an administrator and HR advisor in her hometown of Kent, Amelia decided that it was time to up sticks and live beside the sea — a wise decision. She spends her days helping students with pre-departure preparations, completing various university forms and keeping the Head Office team well caffeinated.

Lisa Butterworth - Operations Manager

Before joining Work the World, Lisa managed a global team of language teachers and has a background in teaching English around the world. She has lived and worked in Hong Kong, the Middle East and across Europe. Travel is one of Lisa’s passions and she has travelled extensively in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.