Meet our Immigration team

  • Philip Gamble: Founder and Senior Partner
    Philip Gamble
    Founder and Senior Partner
  • Reg-Bamford
    Reg Bamford
    Group CEO
  • John Dunn: Citizenship and Immigration Manager
    John Dunn
    Director: Citizenship and Immigration
  • Sam Hopwood: Director - Australia and Oceania regions
    Sam Hopwood
    Director: Australia and Oceania Region
  • Yolanda Murray
    Yolanda Murray
    Front Office Manager
  • Rajeshri Solanki
    Rajeshri Solanki
    Office Administrator
  • Michael Crago
    Michael Crago
    Immigration Caseworker
  • Megan McArthur
    Meghan McArthur
    Immigration and Nationality Manager
  • Chelsea Hallett
    Chelsea Hallett
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser
  • Simone Jordaan
    Simone Jordaan
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser
  • Lisa Oosthuizen
    Lisa Oosthuizen
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser
  • Shelley Christians
    Shelley Christians
    Casework Admin Assistant
  • Christine Jansen van Vuuren
    Christine Jansen van Vuuren
    EU Specialist
  • Chanell Adams - Admin Assistant
    Chanell Adams
    Caseworker
  • Kerry Milne
    Kerry Milne
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker
  • Kristy De Goede
    Kristy De Goede
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser
  • Gabriella Barries_bw
    Gabriella Eastland
    Caseworker
  • Carryn Phillps
    Carryn Lilley
    Immigration and Citizenship Caseworker
  • Tarna Clarkson
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker
  • Jason_Trudgian_bw
    Jason Trudgian
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker
  • Frances-Butler-bw
    Frances Butler
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser
  • Caitlin Edwards
    Casework Admin Assistant
  • Sebrena Elliott
    Casework Support
  • Ruben Van Niekerk
    Ruben Van Niekerk
    Client Liaison
  • David Penzhorn
    David Penzhorn
    Immigration consultant and caseworker
  • Tamara Thomas
    Registered Australian Migration Agent
  • Jamie-Lee Krumm
    Jamie-Lee Le Roux
    Australian Migration Team Leader
  • Nicole Lawrence
    Nicole Lawrence
    Migration Consultant
  • Nicole Bevie
    UK Immigration Administrator
  • Kalcey Smith
    Migration Administrator
  • Allison Damon
    Migration Administrator
  • Sandra Zegarac
    Sandra Zegarac
    Director: Sable International Public Interest
  • Sharifa Chowdhury
    Director: Sable International Public Interest
  • Robyn Eldridge
    Immigration and Citizenship Caseworker
  • Alison Gamble
    Administrative Assistant
  • Breyana Bailey
    Administrative Assistant
  • Samantha Beukes
    UK Consultant Support
  • Jodi Adams
    UK Consultant Support
  • Jodie Che’ Clayton
    UK Consultant Support
  • Sihle Vusani
    UK Consultant Support
  • Cèlene Bredeveldt
    UK Consultant Support
  • Erne Brummer
    Admin Assistant
  • Nicola Digby
    Nicola Digby
    Senior Consultant
  • Maxine Furlong
    Maxine Furlong
    Business Immigration Consultant
  • Tobias Strom
    Tobias Strom
    Business Immigration Consultant
  • Coco Chen
    Education Corporate Service Consultant
  • Julian Dearson
    Head of Immigration Compliance
  • Steve Paxton
    Managing Director: UK Education Corporate Services
  • Mishal Patel: Casework Manager
    Mishal Patel
    Director: Citizenship and Immigration
  • Saskia Johnston
    Service Delivery Director
  • Darren Faife - Director of Work permits
    Darren Faife
    Managing Director: Business immigration
  • Philip Gamble
    Founder and Senior Partner

    Philip trained with the Home Office within their Citizenship Directorate until 1992. He was the founder partner of Montgomery and Co and later Managing Director of 1st Contact Visas.

    He has assisted in developing Government policies with the Points Based System and has instigated changes in Policy towards the descendants of Government employees of former British Territories. Philip is also responsible for immigration training in NHS Hospitals.

    He is widely regarded as an authority on British nationality law and the effects of decolonisation within the former British Empire. Philip is registered with the OISC as a level 2 adviser in Immigration.

  • Reg Bamford
    Group CEO

    Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte & Touche in Cape Town, Reg moved over to London and spent three years in investment banking in the city.

    There, he founded a small tax consultancy in 1996. The group now has 14 different business across three continents and operating in eight countries. It employs over 200 employees, a third of whom have bought and own shares in the group company.

    Reg’s primary role is to deliver on our stated goal of becoming a GREAT business. He is the guardian of the company’s Core Values (of Care, Solve Grow and Enjoy), and looks to inspire and drive performance from our business leaders and staff.

    Reg lives in Putney, with his wife and two young sons. In his spare time, he competes internationally at croquet – he is a seven-time winner of the World Championships.

  • John Dunn
    Director: Citizenship and Immigration

    John joined Sable International in 2008 and has managed multiple divisions during his time with the company.

    He has over a decade of experience in immigration, citizenship and residency-by-investment. He combines that with a background in sales, marketing and management to ensure that Sable International is the go to for all things relating to citizenship and immigration around the world.

    Outside of work, John is dedicated to his young family. He enjoys fitness activities and loves the outdoors.

    Read John's latest articles and insights.

  • Sam Hopwood
    Director: Australia and Oceania Region

    Sam is a registered migration agent and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia.

    Sam studied as an undergraduate at the University of Newcastle, NSW and later completed the postgraduate certificate in immigration law at Victorian University. He has worked in the area of Australian immigration law for 14 years and has helped thousands of people relocate to Australia.

  • Yolanda Murray
    Front Office Manager

    With over 30 years’ experience in administration and customer care, Yolanda joined Philip Gamble & Partners in January 2013 as Receptionist and Office Administrator.

    She is often the first point of contact for our clients and is known for her professional and friendly manner. In addition to her great work ethic and excellent communication skills, her warm and approachable nature makes her an indispensable member of the team.

  • Rajeshri Solanki
    Office Administrator

    Rajeshri came to the UK from Kenya in 1969 and has worked in administration and customer service roles throughout her career.

    After spending four years working for UK Visas and Immigration, she joined Philip Gamble & Partners, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. She uses her customer service and admin skills to support our immigration team.

  • Michael Crago
    Immigration Caseworker

    Michael joined Sable International in 2017 and took up a position in our Tax Refunds department. A year later he joined the Immigration department in our Cape Town office.

    With a passion for UK immigration and citizenship, he registered with the OISC at Level 1 in UK immigration. He now works as an Immigration Caseworker and represents and assists clients with their cases.

    He enjoys meeting up with friends and family, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

  • Meghan McArthur
    Immigration and Nationality Manager

    Meghan started her career with Sable International in 2008, as part of our customer service department.

    From there, she also spent time in our UK tax refunds and forex departments, gaining valuable insight into the overall workings of the business. Meghan’s passion for customer service and personal growth eventually led her to our visa department, where she worked as a UK Immigration Caseworker, before being promoted to Immigration and Nationality Manager.

  • Chelsea Hallett
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser

    Chelsea joined Philip Gamble & Partners in 2015 as a Nationality Administrator with a background in administration.

    Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, she has travelled extensively throughout the UK and developed an interest in British Nationality. She is organised, optimistic and dedicated. Using her exceptional customer service and administrative skills, Chelsea ensures that all of our clients have the best possible experience.

  • Simone Jordaan
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser

    Simone joined us in 2015 as a British Nationality Advisor.

    She has a B.Comm in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Among other things, Simone has worked as an assistant within a psychology practice and as an administrator at a five-star hotel where she had the opportunity to interact with customers from all corners of the globe on a daily basis. Empathetic and professional, Simone is an avid traveller, who has spent a lot of time exploring Europe.

  • Lisa Oosthuizen
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser

    Lisa studied at Stellenbosch University, where she completed a degree in social work.

    She is the administrative assistant for our immigration casework team.

    When she’s not helping ensure all our clients’ needs are taken care of, she likes to spend time with her friends, family and children. She’s also quite fond of experimental cooking and going on adventures.

  • Shelley Christians
    Casework Admin Assistant

    Shelley was born and raised in Cape Town. She joined Sable International in 2017 where she started out in the 1st Contact department.

    She previously worked in education and has had the opportunity to study Business Management and do a course in Office Administration. Shelley is now studying at a music school and in her spare time attends and performs at gigs. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

  • Christine Jansen van Vuuren
    EU Specialist

    Christine has a Bachelor of Social Science in Organizational Psychology and Industrial Sociology from the University of Cape Town. She started as a UK Immigration Caseworker, handling the preparation and submission of British passport and entry clearance visa applications, before shifting her focus to EU nationality matters. In her current role she conducts complex EU nationality assessments and prepares various EU citizenship and passport applications.

    As an ambitious and strong-willed individual, she prides herself on learning new things to develop herself both personally and professionally.

  • Chanell Adams
    Caseworker

    Chanell grew up in the Free State and has been in Cape Town for the past eleven years. She enjoys travelling and has had the opportunity to travel to Iran, Malaysia and Qatar.

    Chanell has a National Diploma in Business Management and is in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree in communication science through the University of South Africa.

    Outside of work, Chanell enjoys the company of friends and family, a good read and a night out on the town.

  • Kerry Milne
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker

    Kerry was born in Johannesburg and has lived in Cape Town since she was six months old. She studied at the University of Cape Town, majoring in psychology and organisational psychology. She chose to study these subjects because she always wanted to work with people.

    Thereafter, she completed her honours in organisational psychology. She has experience in sales and admin but excels at being organised and helping others stay organised.

    Kerry joined Sable International as an Admin Assistant on our immigration team.

    She enjoys being out and about with friends and family, cooking, baking and reading.

  • Kristy De Goede
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser

    Kristy has been part of the Sable International family for many years. She started off on the tax refunds team and then moved into the immigration department. She has since become an expert in assisting customers with their UK visa applications and extensions.

    Dedicated to providing excellent customer service to all clients, she has become particularly good at assessing what a client’s best relocation options are.

    Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also has a keen passion for travel.

  • Gabriella Eastland
    Caseworker

    Gabriella was born and raised in Cape Town. She attended Wynberg Girls’ Junior and High Schools before studying Beauty Therapy and Somatology. She went on to work as a personal assistant and au pair, and in various retail environments, gaining experience in sales, customer service and admin.

    In 2020, she changed career paths and enrolled at Varsity College to study Business Principles and Practices. 

    She is creative and passionate, but always organised, diligent and determined. She enjoys being outdoors, going for drives, reading a good book, making the most out of life and spending time with family and friends.

  • Carryn Lilley
    Immigration and Citizenship Caseworker

    Carryn was born and raised in Cape Town where she attended Rustenburg Girls’ High and thereafter graduated from Varsity College with a Bachelor of Arts in corporate communication.

    After several years working in a client-focused role in the hospitality and event planning industry, she felt it was time for a change. She joined Sable International in 2020, as Client Liaison on our 1st Contact Relocation team, before moving to the Immigration team in 2022.

    Carryn enjoys photography, being outdoors with her dog - especially by the ocean where she resides - and spending time with family.

  • Tarna Clarkson
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker

    Tarna was born in Cape Town and has travelled the world - from living in America, to snorkelling in Asia and tasting incredible cuisines in the Middle East.

    It is while travelling that she discovered she enjoyed interacting with different people and learning about other cultures – ultimately leading her to a career focused on engaging with clients. 

    Outside of work, Tarna loves to stay active by cycling, running or going to the beach for a surf. She really enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

  • Jason Trudgian
    Immigration and Nationality Caseworker

    Jason was born and raised in Cape Town. Both of his parents were born in the UK and he has lived and worked in the UK.

    He was originally at Sable International between 2008 and 2018 and returned to Sable International in 2022, after spending four years at a local immigration company. 

    Outside of work he spends time with family and is part of a local soccer team, where he plays in a league during the winter season.

  • Frances Butler
    Immigration and Nationality Adviser

    Frances grew up in the UK and moved to Cape Town in 2006. Prior to starting at Sable International, she spent some years working with children in the USA and London and at a US exchange program, helping young women with program and visa applications.

    She is a big people person and loves meeting new people. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, travelling and exploring the local restaurant scene.

  • Caitlin Edwards
    Casework Admin Assistant

    Caitlin was born and raised in Cape Town and is a Social Science graduate from UCT.

    Prior to her employment at Sable, she was an administration intern at Groote Schuur Hospital. Through this she gained the expertise to perform her role as casework admin assistant at Sable International.

    In her free time, she loves to read, go on hikes, explore Cape Town, and spend time with family and friends.

  • Sebrena Elliott
    Casework Support

    Sebrena was born and raised in Cape Town. She matriculated from Rhodes High School and thereafter studied sports management through CPUT. She has extensive experience within the administration division for most of her professional career and comes from the Pick ‘n Pay training academy before joining Sable.

    She is a very enthusiastic, goal driven individual, love working with people and building great professional relationships.

    In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, summertime is her favourite as she loves camping, going on road trips and going to the beach with her family. She has a huge passion for the sports industry and particularly enjoys watching rugby.

  • Ruben Van Niekerk
    Client Liaison

    Ruben grew up in a small town in the Northern Cape. He has a background in hospitality and has worked in some of South Africa's finest restaurants and hotels.

    He previously worked in Sable International’s Business Immigration division, where he worked as an Admin Assistant, providing our clients with exceptional service and assistance.

    As a Client Liaison in the visas and immigration team he builds and maintains positive relationships with our clients by keeping them informed about their case progression, or resolving any issues they have.

    In his spare time, Ruben enjoys hiking, the outdoors, gardening, meeting up with friends and going on road trips.

  • David Penzhorn
    Immigration consultant and caseworker

    David has been with Sable International since 2010. He works in the Australian office, helping clients determine what visas they qualify for and helping them with their visa submissions.

    He is the proud father of two cats, Tilly and Bozo.

  • Tamara Thomas
    Registered Australian Migration Agent

    Born in Thailand, Tamara was issued with her first passport as a baby and flew to Australia at eight weeks of age. Her blended, multicultural family were somewhat nomadic, and they travelled extensively throughout Australia – living in a caravan – and also residing in the Philippines for a small period.

    Tamara obtained a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice through the Australian National University in 2008. She has worked within the Australian migration advisory industry since 2006, in a mix of larger corporate and smaller boutique consultancies. She qualified as a Registered Migration Agent in 2009.

    She is a Melbourne local and lives in an inner-city location with her 10-year-old cat, Mia. In her free time, she enjoys visiting markets, dining out, seeing art and cultural exhibitions, weekends away and spending time with her partner, friends, and family.

  • Jamie-Lee Le Roux
    Australian Migration Team Leader

    After spending a number of years working in various retail, customer service and team leading positions, Jamie decided it was time for a change and applied for an administrative position at Sable international.

    Here she discovered a passion for helping individuals and families relocate to Australia and fast became part of the Migration team as a consultant, working with clients from the initial consulting stage right up to visa grant. She has since moved into a leadership role within the team and now works as the Australian Migration Team Leader, where she is hands on in ensuring a seamless and successful experience for every client.

    Outside of work, Jamie is a mom to twins and spends most of her time with family and close friends.

  • Nicole Lawrence
    Migration Consultant

    Nicole was born and raised in Cape Town and attended Groote Schuur High School in Newlands. She studied at the University of Cape Town, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social development and Sociology as well as an Honours degree in Social Development. 

    Before she joined Sable International, she was a research intern at the Human Sciences Research Council. She completed training and was tasked with interviewing South African citizens about the impact of Covid-19. 

    In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family shooting pool, playing dominos and watching soccer.

     

  • Nicole Bevie
    UK Immigration Administrator

    Born in Cape Town and having split her childhood years between Johannesburg and the Mother City, Nicole has spent several years working in various retail and team-leading positions. She attended Wynberg Girls’ High School and has so far completed three years of her four-year BA Degree in Journalism at the University of Cape Town.

    Before joining Sable International as an Immigration Administrator, she was the Team Leader for the Discovery Vaccination Site in Newlands, where she was tasked with assisting South African citizens in receiving the vaccine – a job she feels, along with her previous work experience, has prepared and ignited a passion within her for working with people from all walks of life.

    Outside of work, Nicole loves spending most of her time with family and friends. She enjoys reading, going to the beach and trying and tasting delicious food.

  • Kalcey Smith
    Migration Administrator

    Kalcey recently completed her studies at the University of the Western Cape, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts and BA Honours Psychology degrees. Before starting at Sable International, she volunteered within the nonprofit sector in under-resourced communities in the Western Cape. Most recently she worked as the Assistant Counsellor for a nonprofit in the field of neurodiversity.

    She is a musician, and outside of work she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, travelling, and has a passion for the world of psychology. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and beloved dog.

  • Allison Damon
    Migration Administrator

    Allison recently moved back to South Africa after being abroad in South Korea and Taiwan for a few years. She was an English teacher, although she didn’t see that as part of her future.

    She studied at Helderberg College in Somerset West and graduated in 2015. She is a Migration Administrator in Sable International's Australian immigration team.

    After work she usually takes her dog for a walk because that helps her destress. She is a huge animal lover and secretly wishes she had a farm filled with different animals. She enjoys traveling and doing outdoor activities, depending on the season and weather.

  • Sandra Zegarac
    Director: Sable International Public Interest

    Sandra Zegarac grew up in Croatia and has completed her degree, in Zagreb, studying pedagogy. 

    Sandra joined Sable International in 2005 having previously worked with another leading UK visa agency. She is a L1 Registered Adviser in UK Immigration with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. 

    Her talents lie in producing constructive and helpful solutions for clients with unusual problems. Sandra has been strongly involved with the NHS and other publicly funded bodies and specialises in UK immigration for healthcare professionals, visa audits for UK employers as well as general work sponsorship matters.

    Outside of work Sandra loves spending time with her family. 

  • Sharifa Chowdhury
    Director: Sable International Public Interest

    Sharifa is a qualified solicitor and joined Sable International in 2018 as a Level 1 OISC registered adviser. Prior to joining Sable, she gained extensive advocacy experience in Immigration Tribunals, representing clients at appeal stage in all areas of immigration. 

    She has vast experience dealing with applications under the UK immigration rules, including the points-based system, sponsor licence applications, and immigration and nationality rules. She currently specialises in public interest, working closely with hospitals, schools, and other public bodies for sponsorship matters.

    Sharifa loves travelling, socialising and fitness. She regularly volunteers in pro-bono work for various charity events and, is passionate about politics, immigration policy and client relationships.

  • Robyn Eldridge
    Immigration and Citizenship Caseworker

    Robyn started in our Cape Town office in 2013 and transferred to our UK office in 2015. She now has over 10 years of experience within the Sable International family. She has gained considerable experience in immigration and citizenship, covering both corporate and private client work, and most recently, sponsorship in the public sector

    She has previously been involved with visa audits for UK employers and the prevention of illegal workers in the UK. Robyn is registered as a Level 1 UK immigration advisor with the OISC. Robyn also has a passion for exceptional customer service and her attention to detail is second to none.

    Outside of work, Robyn spends her free time playing board games/cozy games, being a tourist in her own city and enjoying the company of her cat, Lupin.

  • Alison Gamble
    Administrative Assistant

    Alison was born in Croydon in the UK and educated in London. Alison’s background is as a history and politics teacher and before Sable, and she worked at Tudor Hall School. Her role at Sable International is as an administrative assistant, drafting certificates and visas for those who work in the public health sector.

    Outside of work, Alison enjoys photography and going to the theatre. 

  • Breyana Bailey
    Administrative Assistant

    Breyana was born and raised in South London. She joined Sable in June 2022. Prior to joining Sable, Breyana worked in a hardware supply store and coached children’s football. Breyana is currently doing an apprenticeship scheme through Sable for her business administration course.

    Breyana splits her free time between working security and exploring nature, reading, playing sport and socialising.

  • Samantha Beukes
    UK Consultant Support

    Samantha was born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa. After spending the last nine years in various customer service and a team lead role, Samantha has decided to make a career change and applied for the role of UK Consultant Support at Sable International, where she will assist the Business Immigration team.

    Samantha is dedicated to always provide excellent customer service. She is ambitious and goal driven.

    In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.

  • Jodi Adams
    UK Consultant Support

    Jodi is a goal orientated and dedicated individual with an honours finance educational background and shares a passion for people with over five years of experience within the customer service industry. After Jodi completed her studies she decided to embark on a new experience and applied to Sable International, where she will assist the Business Immigration team.

    In Jodi’s spare time she enjoys taking scenic pictures and adventuring outside Cape Town admiring the beautiful views nature has to offer.

  • Jodie Che’ Clayton
    UK Consultant Support

    Jodie Che’ born and raised in Cape Town. Before joining Sable International, she worked in the public sector as a secretary. She has a passion for kids, she pursued a diploma in Early Childhood Development and hopes to complete her degree in Education in the future.

    She works in Sable International's Education Corporate Services division as a Junior UK Consultant Support.

    Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

  • Sihle Vusani
    UK Consultant Support

    Sihle was born and bred in East London in the Eastern Cape. She came to Cape Town to study at the University of Cape Town, and fell in love with the beautiful city. She worked in customer service while studying and hopes to grow her career at Sable International where she works as a Junior UK Consultant Support.

    In her free time she enjoys trying out new restaurants, going to watch the sunset at the beach and just being around her loved ones.

  • Cèlene Bredeveldt
    UK Consultant Support

    Cèlene matriculated from Wynberg Girls’ High School in 2014 and went straight to work to support her family. She worked in the hospitality industry before moving to the beauty industry at Sorbet, then switched gears moving into the debt review industry.

    She believes her customer service relations experience has made her into someone who strives for the best for each client interaction. She is now a Junior UK Consultant Support, assisting those who want to send their children to study at top UK primary and high schools.

    Cèlene's number one passion is dancing. She has been dancing since the age of four and has starred in several music videos as well as being a DHL Stormers Cheerleader.

    In her free time, she loves cooking, trying new restaurants for new experiences, hanging out with loved ones and going for drives around the Mother City.

  • Erne Brummer
    Admin Assistant

    Erne was born and raised in Cape Town. She has a great love for the Mother City, but would love to travel more.

    She matriculated from Cravenby Secondary School in 2016 and completed her diploma in Criminal Justice through Lyceum College.

    Her first job was at Ster-Kinekor as a multi skilled employee. She was then employed at WNS Global as a customer service agent. She then moved to CT International Financiers as a Collections Specialist, and was given the opportunity to broaden her knowledge and skills into various administrative roles before starting employment at Sable International.

    She is an administrative assistant at Sable International where she works with our Business Immigration and UK Education Corporate Services teams.

    Outside of work she enjoys hanging out with friend and family, exploring new places and loves watching series and movies.

  • Nicola Digby
    Senior Consultant

    Nicola has over 14 years of immigration experience in private and corporate immigration, with a focus on large-scale, multinational business immigration. She graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a Bachelor of Law and has worked in the immigration sector since this time. 

    She joined Sable International as a Senior Consultant and is registered with the OSIC as a level 2 UK immigration adviser.

    Outside of work, she enjoys seeing as much of the world as possible, spending time with friends, family and her two cats. She also plays netball for her local club.

  • Maxine Furlong
    Business Immigration Consultant

    Maxine grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and has completed her BComm degree.

    She joined our Immigration team in our Cape Town office where she gained valuable experience in UK immigration and citizenship casework.

    Maxine has since moved to our London office and has completed her OISC level 1 exam; and continues to broaden her knowledge and experience in UK immigration.

    In her spare time Maxine will take any opportunity to travel, explore new cities and cultures.

  • Tobias Strom
    Business Immigration Consultant

    Tobias was born and raised in London to American and German parents. After completing his law degree from Nottingham Trent University he has worked across both the UK and USA before finding his passion in immigration. 

    He joined Sable as a registered adviser with the OISC at level 1 and has extensive knowledge in both immigration and nationality, assisting private and corporate clients with their UK immigration matters.  

    He loves playing football amongst other sports and is an avid Tottenham Hotspurs fan. 

  • Coco Chen
    Education Corporate Service Consultant

    Coco was born in Taiwan and raised in Hong Kong. She completed her bachelor law degree in the United Kingdom.

    Before joining Sable International she worked in a London city law firm as an immigration paralegal.

    Outside of work she enjoys oil painting and spending time with family and friends.

  • Julian Dearson
    Head of Immigration Compliance

    Julian joined the Home Office, Immigration Department in 1983 where he processed and managed multiple immigration and nationality applications. In 1991 he established Dearson Winyard, a company that went on to be one of the largest and most successful independent immigration advisory firms in the UK. After 26 years of success, the company was sold and Julian has spent the last five years pursuing his own personal ambitions.

    Julian is responsible for establishing and managing an immigration compliance offering for business immigration clients. This includes undertaking compliance audits to evaluate our clients' compliance with the UKVI sponsor licence requirements. Julian has a broad and varied immigration experience, covering both corporate and private client work, including sponsor licence applications.

    Outside of work, Julian spends much of his free time either dog walking or away in his RV with his family.

  • Steve Paxton
    Managing Director: UK Education Corporate Services

    Steve is the Managing Director of the UK Education Corporate Services division. He is an experienced international investment business owner, UK independent school boarding expert, UK Child/Student sponsor licence specialist, including overseeing many UKVI compliance inspections and has been the Commercial Director of a UK immigration firm.

    As a student global mobility specialist, he intends to make Sable International a trusted supplier of advice and support to UK independent schools and their worldwide agents, in the complex sector of Home Office compliance and visa acquisition for UK-bound international students.

    Outside of work, Steve loves travelling, spending time with his family and new grandchild, a quadruple World Cup hockey coach and player, and is currently an England hockey masters player. 

  • Mishal Patel
    Director: Citizenship and Immigration

    Mishal was born in Mombasa, Kenya and relocated to the UK in 2004 after a successful colonial nationality claim through Philip Gamble & Partners.

    Mishal joined Sable International in 2009 and is a registered Level 1 adviser in UK immigration with the OISC. Mishal works closely with Philip Gamble and assists in isolating claims to British nationality for those who have connections to former British Territories, those who are resident in the UK and those adopted by British citizens. Mishal has a special interest in East Africa and the sub-continent. He is fluent English, Kiswahili and Gujarati.

    Read Mishal's latest articles and insights.

  • Saskia Johnston
    Service Delivery Director

    Saskia has over 10 years of experience within the Sable International Team. Saskia graduated from the University of Cape Town with a B. Sc. (Masters) in finance and a sub-major in economics. She has a keen interest in financial services and immigration which made her the perfect candidate to help drive our Business Immigration team forward. Saskia has a passion for exceptional customer service and is now responsible for the Business Immigration team’s service delivery.

    A confident, enthusiastic individual with a great attitude and a keen motivation to learn. Saskia has spent the last decade growing a very strong and powerful professional business development network in London. Her growth and strategic approach to relationship-led new business has produced some fantastic results and she has enjoyed implementing these successful sales strategies with her team in London. She has extensive experience in all aspects of foreign exchange and business immigration and can apply her high-level, target-driven sales and account management approach to the success of her role.

    Outside of work, Saskia loves experiencing new cultures and travel is at the top of her “spare time” list.”

  • Darren Faife
    Managing Director: Business immigration

    Darren has over 25 years’ experience heading award-winning organisations as well as providing immigration and compliance services to large-scale, multinational businesses.

    Having run his own successful immigration practice for over 20 years, Darren possesses a strong commercial mindset and provides an efficient delivery of strategic solutions, while consistently driving value contributing to core business objectives.

    Darren joined Sable International in 2020 to bring his wealth of expertise to our business immigration services. He is registered with the OISC at level 2 in UK Immigration.

    Outside of work, Darren is a “car man”, who makes his annual trip to Le Mans every year.

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