OUR STUDENTS
Our students come from diverse backgrounds from all over the world, but they share one thing in common: determination to succeed. In these student profiles, you’ll see first hand how their hard work, supported by our expert guidance & practical learning has helped them achieve outstanding results.
Governance & Compliance Partner at Halton Housing
Katie Hamlett
Katie has worked in housing association governance for over 20 years. Her introduction to governance came in 2005 as part of a team delivering a housing stock transfer to a newly formed housing association. 12 months later, Katie moved to a Governance Officer role at Halton Housing.
The organisation has seen many changes over the past 20 years and Katie is now the Governance and Compliance Partner. Katie leads a team responsible for providing a complete governance service across the Halton Housing group, handling meeting servicing, board recruitment, induction, training, appraisal and effectiveness reviews. Katie also ensures governance across the group meets regulatory requirements and maintains the risk management and assurance framework across the group.
Her The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualifying journey began in 2015. Katie made good progress initially but for various reasons took an extended break from studying until re-starting her studies in 2024. She studied Company Compliance & Administration with Campbell's College which she passed. Katie felt she needed a more active learning approach for the Finance (IFAI) module which took her to KCB GLOBAL where she also passed. She then moved on to Risk Management as her first Part 2 module and joined Buff Cooper's classes for the first time for his Risk Management revision weekend. Katie scored a Merit in this exam with 68%.
She then joined Strategic Tutors Limited for Development of Strategy, taking both the live weekly online “Immersive” classes and Buff’s “Bootcamp” revision weekend.
Katie scored her first Distinction pass with an outstanding 78%. Well done Katie!
Here are Katie's thoughts on her experience studying with Strategic Tutors Limited
“In terms of Strategic Tutors approach, I’d highlight the following as being really key to helping me.
-
Focussing on the key models etc. and trusting in not needing to know everything in the textbook
-
The 12 steps, regularly practicing with this and also writing it down in the reading time before the exam starts. This really helped me to keep focus when up against the clock on the day.
-
Using the case study as the “golden ticket” I think what I did differently with Strategy compared to Risk was to get a really good understanding not just of the organisation in the case study but also its wider operating environment, reading around the topics it covered.
-
Also, the guest speaker session on the revision weekend made an invaluable contribution”
Katie has signed up for Strategic Tutors Limited “Immersive” and “Bootcamp” courses for her last exam, Boardroom Dynamics. Seetal Anand is looking forward to welcoming you to her first "Immersive" session on Wednesday 11th March.
Company Secretary,
BAM UK & Ireland
Michelle qualified as a solicitor in 1996, 28 years before starting her journey to qualify with The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Institute.
Michelle has always enjoyed company law and started her career as in house general counsel of BAM Nuttall Ltd in 1998. In the early 2020’s the group took a divisional approach and Michelle was appointed Company Secretary of BAM UK & Ireland Division, comprising three operating companies with a turnover of £3 bn. It was at this time that Michelle decided to take the CGI examinations to enhance her technical knowledge and show commitment to her Company Secretarial role. Due to exemptions she entered the CGI Fast Track route.
“I confess that to do these exams 30 years after leaving school and whilst working full time was daunting. I sat my Corporate Governance exam in June 2024 and passed first time – so far so good. Due to the shorter lead up to the November exams, I chose to sit my final exam, Risk Management in June 2025. Despite working hard for the exam (200+ hours of study) I failed, by a significant margin. I didn’t feel confident going into the exam despite my hard work and the idea of having to study again was disheartening.
Other students had spoken highly of Buff and I decided I needed a change in tutor and tutoring style to have a chance to pass my resit in November 2025. It was then that I discovered Strategic Tutors Limited Tutors and spoke with Buff who took the time to listen to me and gave me confidence that it was possible for me to pass.
Buff made it clear that weekly homework would be set throughout the course. Sometimes we would work alone, other times in pairs and we would also be required to mark each other’s work for a few sessions ‘to step into the examiners shoes’ and understand their expectations. He also told me of his 12 Steps technique. I dived in and committed to this immersive approach. Every lesson, all the homework and the 12 Step technique (a lifesaver in the exam). I rounded this off with Buff’s online revision weekend (more homework!) to help hone my exam skills.
Despite some unexpected personal challenges a few weeks before the exam (that’s life, isn’t it) I sat the exam and felt more in control of the paper than previously, in part due to the 12 Steps technique and in part due to the focussed study sessions. And I am delighted to say I passed! I cannot describe the elation and relief, for myself and my family who provided immense support throughout.
Attending the study sessions was essential to me having a chance to pass. It provided a supportive environment, making study a shared and enjoyable experience rather than a lonely one.
Buff is firm but fair, he takes no nonsense and is totally committed to enabling his students to pass the exams, often with flying colours.
Would I recommend you try again if at first you don’t succeed? Absolutely!"
Senior Company Secretary Assistant at Clyde & Co , Dubai
Nidhiya joined Clyde & Co in 2011 as an Administration Assistant and moved into the Corporate Services team six years later. That’s where her interest in governance grew, and she began the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme.
She has now spent eight years in the Corporate Services team at Clyde & Co LLP and currently works as a Senior Company Secretary Assistant, supporting the end‑to‑end corporate governance lifecycle for a broad portfolio of entities. She manages incorporations, board meetings, statutory registers, and regulatory filings across various jurisdictions in the UAE.
Nidhiya studied with Strategic Tutors Limited for her first module from Part 2 of the Chartered Governance Professional exams, Risk Management, part of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Qualifying Programme.
She attended Strategic Tutors Limited "Immersive" 10 week live online course and 2 Day "Bootcamp" revision course and this is what she had to say about her learning experience.
“Juggling a full‑time job with two young kids is never easy, but Strategic Tutors Limited and Buff’s classes have truly made studying manageable and far less stressful. Buff’s classes were very engaging and his practical, realistic approach and exam techniques/tips (especially the 12 steps technique) gave me the confidence to approach the exam with ease”
Nidhiya passed Risk Management with her first ever Merit pass. Well done Nidhiya, a huge achievement and milestone in your qualification journey. Nidhiya’s has signed up with Strategic Tutors Limited to take both Boardroom Dynamics and Development of Stratrgy exams in June 2026.
Executive at One Advisory FRP Advisory
Tom Birt
Tom got into Corporate Governance after he discovered the field whilst he was taking a Graduate Scheme at a public sector company. Since then, Tom has moved in to the world of professional services at One Advisory, where he helps to support clients in their compliance and regulatory management, especially when it comes to listed regulation, such as Market Abuse Regulation, running Annual General Meetings, and Director’s fiduciary duties.
Tom studied with Strategic Tutors Limited for his first Chartered Governance Professional exam, Company Compliance & Administration, part of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Qualifying Programme.
Tom attended Strategic Tutors Limited's "Immersive" 10 week live online course. Due to his dedication to his studies Strategic Tutors Limited rewarded Tom with a full bursary to attend their 2 Day "Bootcamp" revision course.
Tom's feedback from his time with Strategic Tutors Limited was "Buff was highly engaging and a great source of knowledge, exam strategy and practical advice for preparation. The course was well structured and helped to highlight how best to spend one's time in the run up to the exam - as well as helping to deal with the sheer amount of content that is in the study text, and how overwhelming that can feel"
Tom scored one of only 6 Distinction passes in the November 2025 exam out of a total of 131 candidates. Well done Tom, amazing achievement. Now on to the next 6!
Senior Associate and Head of the Technology, Media, Telecommunications, IP and Sustainability Practice at KTA Advocates
KTA Advocates is regional law firm with presence across Africa and an international client base. In her role, Cathrine supports multinational corporations and growing enterprises in regulatory compliance, licensing structures, corporate setup, and governance frameworks. Her work spans establishing appropriate corporate governance structures, coordinating board processes, and preparing and reviewing board documentation to facilitate effective decision-making.
Cathrine studied with Strategic Tutors Limited for her final two Level 2 modules, Risk Management and Boardroom Dynamics, for the The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Qualifying Programme.
She attended Strategic Tutors’ November weekend revision courses, and this is what she had to say about her experience:
“You know the saying, ‘what you fear, you attract.’
There is a common perception that the The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland is daunting, particularly for international candidates, and while it certainly demands discipline and commitment, wouldn’t it be refreshing If the process was made clearer and more manageable?
I began the programme in 2021 and in 2025 I dared to complete four papers in one year. Was it a challenge? Absolutely. But being introduced to Strategic Tutors Limited Tutors, and Buff Cooper in particular, during my November sitting for Boardroom Dynamics and Risk Management made a significant difference. Strategic Tutors Limited provided structure, clarity and confidence at a critical stage.
The November weekend revision sessions were rigorous, practical, and highly interactive. The Strategic Tutors’ teaching style is different, I must say. Buff’s use of a structured 12-step technique for answering examination questions, set exam trigger words, homework, session guest speakers based on the case study and the module, combined with mock presentations and peer discussions significantly broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the subject matter, ultimately strengthening my confidence.
Buff is firm yet supportive, ensuring discipline while maintaining calm reassurance during what can be an intense revision period.
I definitely attracted something, but it was not fear. With the support of Strategic Tutors Limited Tutors and their team, I have now successfully completed the CGI Qualifying Programme and qualified as a Chartered Governance Professional”