I started work at Hothouse Media in 1995 after graduating from University with a degree in French and Spanish language. I work on the sales side of Study Travel Magazine and love it so much I've been here ever since! A great part of the job is the travel to workshops and conferences – there are so many fun people in this industry with great stories, what's not to love? After a fateful parachute jump (where I met my husband) we moved back to my Essex Girl roots. Most of my spare time is spent cycling through the countryside, helping at my kids' school, feeding my guilty Starbucks habit or beating my husband spectacularly at Monopoly.

Part of the HHM northern contingent, I am originally from Manchester and recently graduated from University in Leeds with a degree in Spanish and Management. At the weekend, I play rugby for my adopted local team, playing all around Surrey. A Manchester United fan, my other hobbies include ice cold beverages, workshop flirting, getting lost on my lunch break and general male vanity. I am keen to travel to wherever the company will send me, hopefully Latin America and Asia.

I moved to London in 2004 from my native Melbourne, Australia. I have had a wealth of change and experience whilst living in the UK from starting a small eco bags label, travelling, an art and design course and having a baby. It's now time to get back into publishing following a lengthy break from the office! When possible I enjoy making cupcakes with my daughter and decorating things from bags to walls to clothes, frequenting pubs, watching Come Dine With Me and Charlie Brooker.

I'm a scouser, from the blue half of Liverpool (ie. an Everton supporter), 2008 European Capital of Culture! After completing an English degree at Manchester University, I spent a year teaching English in France with my two great loves - cheese and wine - and of course my now husband, Tim. I then moved to London and have been working for HHM for the last seven years, now enjoying my role as Alphe Manager. It’s a really nice atmosphere to work in and HHM have built up a really good, hard-working and fun team which is great to be involved with. I love to travel both through work and on holiday and I am looking forward to the arrival of a mini me in February 2009.

A Yorkshire lass born and bred, I grew up in the north of England in West Yorkshire. After studying French with German at Aston University, Birmingham, I lived in France, Austria and Canada managing ski resorts for a UK tour operator. In between winter seasons I have worked in Sardinia, tried my hand at property developing and travelled around Central America. In my free time I am normally playing netball, hockey or tennis. I love soaking up the sun on a beach, skiing black runs and off piste in the Alps or walking, running or cycling around my rural Oxfordshire home.

Originally landing in London while on a pit-stop during my mission to wind my way through Europe, I've now ended up a fully-fledged UK resident. Slowing, I'm making my way through all the fun European destinations (the coastal destinations first of course), my absolute favourites being Hvar (probably the coolest place on Earth. Ever), Greece, San Sebastian and Morocco. If I'm not googling my way to another quick-fix diet (sorry, "healthy eating plan"), I'm looking after all of our higher educators making sure they're coming to Alphe! Whilst I find it hard to be away from the sunny shores of Perth, Australia, I've no current plans to leave England and will most likely be here until they forcibly remove me (kicking and screaming of course).

I am a Londoner and have joined the Hothouse Gang in May 2011 since returning to work after 4 long years off with my two young boys. Unlike the rest of the Hothouse team I did not attend Uni, I opted for working and travelling where i was lucky enough to spend 2 Sunny years living in Oz and also bag myself a Husband whilst i was there too. I love travelling, sunshine, cooking, drinking almost anything alcholic and I also have an addiction to fizzy sweets.

Although originally hailing from Glasgow, I grew up in Manchester and so I am yet another Manchester United fan in the Hothouse Media team. I studied Spanish and Portuguese at university, which was a good excuse to spend a few months travelling around South America and moved to London in October 2010 for the next adventure. At Hothouse Media I take care of the agents for our Alphe workshops and enjoy organising Alphes with the rest of the team. When I’m not holidaying in exotic places, I can be found cooking with friends, eating with friends and relaxing with a gin and tonic in my hand.

I am from Brazil but I could say I am from the beach. I love the sunshine and the sea but here I am in London, where it doesn’t rain as much as I’d heard – how disappointing! I am a journalist who got lost in Europe. Lived in Spain for two years and then moved to England in 2008. At Hothouse Media I make use of my language skills working with international agents for Alphe workshops. I am passionate about writing and that’s what I do in my spare time. In Brazil we usually say that everyone needs to do three things in life: write a book, have a child and plant a tree. I have started the first thing on the list, the second item scares me a bit, and although I’d like very much to plant a tree I don’t have a garden in my flat.

I was born and brought up in Bournemouth, so witnessed first hand the impact of the language travel industry from a very early age when competing for beach space with a range of matching backpacks. I have degrees in English and Environmental Conservation and briefly taught English in Russia in the 1990s. I have worked at Hothouse Media for over 10 years, despite leaving for a year to go travelling around Australia. I am a keen gardener and dream one day of having an enormous walled garden in the country. Until then I will have to make do with an allotment in a distinctly clayey area of South London.

Born and raised in London, I decided to go to university down by the seaside where I graduated with a degree in English and Theatre & Performance Studies in 2001. Affectionately nicknamed Hanky or Hanks by my Hhm colleagues, I've been a part of the editorial team since 2007. According to TravBuddy.com I've only managed to visit 10 per cent of the entire world so clearly need to acquire a few more stamps in my passport! I'm still trying to improve my Spanish language skills which gets increasingly better with a couple of cervezas. Things I love: beer, reality television and fish finger sandwiches. Things I hate: running, bad manners and on occasion, umbrellas (dangerous).

Born and raised in Kent, I studied Politics & Sociology at the University of Leeds, before deciding I was going to teach English abroad. Sticking a pin in the map led me to Japan, where before I knew it one year had turned into six, and I had a wife, a son and a karaoke repertoire. I’ve been freelancing for Study Travel Magazine since returning to the UK a couple of years ago and was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when a full-time editorial position became available in June 2011.

I was born and grew up on the Dutch countryside but soon realised that farming wasn't the right thing for me. I took degrees in Graphic Design in the Netherlands and in the UK and enjoyed an internship in Netherlands Antilles. Before starting my job here at Hothouse Media in August 2007 I travelled around South America and tried to expand my Spanish vocabulary. Besides design and travelling, I also enjoy film, photography, live music, dinner parties, cycling....and spending time in that lovely Dutch countryside.

I was born and raised in China and graduated with a degree in economics and statistics from Beijing. I lived in Singapore during 1999 and 2000, and moved to London in 2000 and have been here ever since. I've been at Hothouse Media since November 2001. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, reading, practising yoga, and spend most of my time taking my son to different lessons during weekend.

I was born and educated in Australia, taking degrees in economics and accounting. I've worked with Hothouse Media since 1992, having been a corporate banker in my previous life. I speak some French and Spanish and have spent a lot of time holidaying in Latin America. I enjoy cycling, theatre, film, beer, poker, going to the gym and on the weekend you'll likely find me on the golf course.

Born and raised near Brighton in the UK, with various periods living in Blackpool and Manchester as a boy. The latter being the reason for my love of all things United! I went to Central St Martins College of Art and Design where I trained as an Industrial Designer. I have worked with Hothouse Media since 1993... when there were only 4 of us. I'm up for most things but enjoy, football, tennis, golf, skiing and boozing... in no particular order!