Our immigration team

Philip trained in Immigration Law with the UK Home Office, later becoming responsible for front-line immigration casework within the department until 1992. He founded 1^st Contact Visas, remaining as MD of the latter until 2003. Presently MD of Philip Gamble & Partners, Philip has represented the industry as a whole.

Philip is recognized as an authority in British nationality law as well as the effects of decolonisation within the former British Empire and its relationship to British citizenship. He has assisted the Home Office in the formulation of their Policy Guidance in relation to the Highly Skilled Migrants program (now Tier 1 of the points-based scheme) and has been actively involved in numerous precedent cases, some resulting in changes to UK Law and Policy. Phillip is a founder and senior partner of Sable Nationality.

Philip Gamble’s motto: “Knowledge is the key to all.”

John began his career in trust accounting, working for Buchanan Boyes Attorneys. He took up the mantle of Accounting Manager at Sable International in 2008. With a knack for operations and project management, John manages the group’s nationality team. He also assists with the Kickstart department and other 1^st Contact partners.

Outside of work, John’s life is dedicated to his kids. He has competed in Ironman and half-Ironman triathlons and is an avid poker player.

John’s motto: “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

Sandra joined the firm in 2005 having previously worked with another leading UK visa agency. She is a level one 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 visa audits for UK employers as well as registering her clients for Work Permit applications. Sandra is fluent in English and Croatian.

Sandra’s motto: “The best way to get something done is to begin.”

Joanne joined the firm in 2001 and is a level one Registered Adviser in Immigration with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. She has been responsible for a variety of immigration casework. More recently, Joanne was responsible for forming the team dealing with the issue of Sponsorship Certificates under Tier 2 of the Points Based Scheme for the National Health Service and Private Healthcare.

Joanne has been highly involved with visa audits for UK employers and is an expert in the country’s employment laws controlling the prevention of illegal labour.

Joanne’s Motto: “If you believe, you can achieve.”

Kelly joined the team as Business Development Manager in June 2013. Based in Cape Town, South Africa and the UK she is responsible for lead generation, marketing and promotional activities for the firm. She is predominantly responsible for organising our British citizenship seminars in Commonwealth countries and the Middle East and maintaining our relationship with the NHS in the UK.

Prior to joining Philip Gamble & Partners, she worked at our partner company, 1st Contact Visas, in South Africa for three years where she gained extensive knowledge of the UK immigration system and British citizenship matters.

Kelly's motto: “Success is a journey, not a destination.”

Reena was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi and started her career with KPMG Kenya. She joined Philip Gamble & Partners in 2010 and is a level one Registered Adviser in UK Immigration with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.

Reena is responsible for all UK immigration applications lodged with British posts overseas and has had notable success in this area. Reena is fluent in English, Gujarati and Kiswahili.

Reena's motto: “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Gabriela joined the firm in 2003 and is a level one Registered Adviser in UK Immigration with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Besides immigration casework, she has fulfilled a number of specialised roles within the company. She is currently in charge of quality control and file management. Gabriela is fluent in English, Slovak, Czech and Russian.

Grace joined Philip Gamble & Partners as a member of our Immigration and Work Permits team in 2016. She is a level two Registered Adviser in UK Immigration with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Prior to joining Philip Gamble & Partners, Grace volunteered with the British Red Cross and Bail for Immigration Detainees. Her interest lies in immigration cases involving Family and Private Life and is passionate about voluntary work.

Mehreen has recently joined Sable International’s Work Permit division. She graduated with LLB (Hons) from University of London in 2007 and completed the Bar Vocational Course from University of Northumbria in 2009. Mehreen worked as an Associate lawyer in Pakistan, gaining experience in Constitutional, Commercial and Tax law and has been working in Immigration law since 2011.

Mehreen's main interest lies in discretionary applications based on private and family life. She is registered with the OISC and is highly committed to securing the best results for her clients. She speaks English, Urdu and Pushto fluently.

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 now works as a UK Immigration Caseworker.

Meghan’s motto: “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.”

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

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

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

Kristy's motto: "Do it with passion or not at all!"

David has been with been with Sable International since 2011, moving through our tax refunds and umbrella teams, before settling into our immigration department. Having spent over two years living in the UK, he knows first-hand what it’s like to make the move. In his spare time, he studies through correspondence and is a keen runner, having completed the Comrades more than once.

David’s motto: “Where ever you are, be there.”

Phillipa completed her degree in Human Resource Management through Stellenbosch University, before indulging her love for travel and exploring the world. After having successfully explored positions in the retail, hospitality and lifestyle industries, Phillipa joined Sable International in 2015. She enjoys the interaction with customers and the sense of achievement that comes with helping individuals and families fulfill their UK travel, immigration and study desires.

Phillipa’s motto: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Maxine joined Sable International in January 2015, as part of our umbrella department. She then joined the Philip Gamble & Partners’ administration team, where she began learning about British nationality and UK immigration routes. Maxine’s interest in different client’s unique situations led her to become an Immigration Caseworker.

Maxine loves making her clients’ wishes to visit or move to the UK come true and has a strong passion for customer satisfaction. Outside of work, she loves travelling and discovering new places, seeing friends and spending time with family. She is currently studying a BComm in Business Management through UNISA.

Maxine’s motto: “Life is all about balance.”

Jason started his career with Sable International in 2008, as an adviser in our UK immigration department. With this experience, he changed roles to Immigration Caseworker in late 2014, preparing and completing UK visa applications on behalf of clients.

These applications include British passports, Irish citizenship and other UK visas. Within this role his customer services skills are utilised to the full and he always provides a personalised service to all our clients.

In his spare time Jason is physically active, predominantly playing football, going to the gym and cycling.

Sheldon joined Sable International in 2010. He moved to Cape Town from Johannesburg at the age of 10, and attended Wynberg Boys’ High School. Sheldon assesses our clients’ immigration and citizenship options, and advises them on the best route according to their particular circumstances.

In his free time, he enjoys running, fishing, graphic design and watching sport. Sheldon obtained a diploma in copywriting at Red and Yellow, and is currently completing his B.Comm through UNISA.

Alexandra joined our immigration division as a Trainee Immigration Caseworker in August 2016 after being approved to undertake this training by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner. She recently graduated from London South Bank University with first class honours in Law. Her interests lie in immigration law, particularly concerning EU free-movement laws and family settlement applications. Alexandra is friendly and approachable, with an eye for detail. She prides herself on achieving positive results and the highest level of satisfaction for her customers.

Gia studied at the University of Cape Town, with degrees in International Relations and Education. She currently handles the admin for our immigration team as well as the citizenship team.

She is a keen traveller and explorer, with a particular love for exploring destinations that are not too “touristy” yet. When she’s not travelling she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her dogs.

Gia’s motto: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

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.

Lisa's motto: "Don’t let the world change your smile, use your smile to change the world."

Natalie joined the Immigration Team as an Adviser in February 2017. She is currently completing her Psychology Honours degree through UNISA. In her free time she enjoys running, swimming ,cycling and spending time with her son.