Meet our Team
Stephen Sharp
A proven track record with 35+ years of experience in delivering large-scale and complex technology initiatives across a range of industry sectors, he has global experience gained from working in the UK, USA, Russia, South Africa, Australia and the Far East.
Stephen has held executive roles at a number of major investment, and retail banks as well as building and then selling his first venture into software development back in 1988 – this company developed software designed using 4GL databases and programming languages such as Pascal, C++ and a range of innovative solutions for the time.
The business also developed one of the first “API” interfaces into Galileo, Sabre and Amadeus the 3 major reservation system platforms, bringing real-time travel management information to blue chip global organisations
Stephen is a founding director of Strategia Advisory that has created a global consulting business based in the UK, UAE and Australia, with a range of clients across Finance, Healthcare and Insurance.
Former player for Manchester United with whom he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, League Cup and the Charity Shield. He also played in the topflight with QPR and Chelsea, he retired from playing in 1997 having played 19 times for England as well as playing in the 1990 World Cup. Paul is now a TV sports pundit.
Paul will help us to promote and market “My Friend” through his wide range of sporting connections across the sports industry, notably in Football, where mental-health is a growing concern.
Paul Parker
Omer Aslam
Omer is a seasoned CTO and a distinguished technology leader with over 15 years in designing and architecting robust, highly available and intelligent systems. Omer’s skill encompass complex software solution developmetn, strategic direction, software architecture and successful implementation. He is also well versed in tech advisory, MVP development, and cutting edge technologies like AI/ML and AR/VR.
Throughout his career, Omer has held influential leadership roles in tech companies based in the US, UK and UAE consistently delivering exceptional results. With his visionary leadership, technical proficiency and unwavering commitment to innovation, Omer is well positioned to drive success in out organisation and shape the future of our technology landscape.
Sally has a combined skill set of IT sales and Education. Sales experience working in distribution and at a manufacturing level.
More recently Sally had been working in Education. Retraining to work in Pastoral care and understanding the importance and growing needs of Children and their Families in this demanding climate.
Sally Lee
Glenn Canterford
With more than 30 years’ experience working in international education. Glenn has held positions of responsibility in schools in Africa, the Far East, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. His most recent post was as Principal of The Sultan’s School in Oman. The school was founded by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in 1977 and is considered one of the leading bilingual schools in the Middle East.
Glenn was awarded a Doctorate in Education by the University of Bath in 2009 and his work on Segmented Labour Markets in International Schools has been cited on numerous occasions.
Glenn has a proven track record with regards to school improvement and has led a number of establishments through accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). He is also a visiting team leader for CIS.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. For the last 20 years, Andrew has enjoyed a successful professional career in the corporate sector.
This has involved a diverse range of advice to businesses but includes strategic advice, cost restructuring, sales strategy, contractual issues as well as a range of financing issues from refinancing and injection of new finance into the business.
Andrew has worked both in the UK and abroad on a wide variety of projects and has been a non-exec on several boards working in a diverse range of market sectors.
Andrew Sacks
Liz Whiu
Liz has 30+ year of experience in strategy, branding and customer experience working with startups and global organisations alike spanning finance, hospitality, aviation, property, health care and education sectors
She has a breadth of experience as managing director of a branding and marketing agency and prior to this in senior strategy roles in aviation and travel companies with specific focus on customer research and service standards
Liz has lead various multi-hierarchical and multi-functional teams to develop strategies, systems and creative solutions whilst coordinating partners and suppliers across leisure, corporate, industry and governmental partnerships.