About Us
Our story so far
The tale of Tapestry starts with an evening in the pub, an idea and an online community. Launched in 2012 to help educators and families to connect around a child’s learning, Tapestry is now the UK’s leading online learning journal, used by 14,000 settings and schools in 40 countries. It provides educators with tools to support their child-centred teaching and learning in early years and primary, as well as management software to assist with the business side of early years provision.
All this happens because of our amazing, ever-growing team. We are a wonderful mix of former educators, product support specialists, testers, developers and creators. We are proud to work together, evolving Tapestry so that it continues to support you and the children and families you serve.
Our Vision
We’re passionate about keeping Tapestry fresh and relevant. With innovative features, responsive updates to national frameworks, efficient business tools, and genuinely great value.
Our Mission
We work alongside schools and settings to strengthen family relationships, support child-centred learning, and reduce workload. Simply put, we care deeply about the important work our customers do.
Our Values
We’re an equal opportunity employer who believes in inclusion, respect, and social justice. Child-centred education shapes everything we create, and we actively collaborate with diverse specialists to keep growing.
Meet the team behind Tapestry
Steve
Managing Director
You could argue that this is all basically Steve’s fault! First the FSF, then Tapestry. What you need to know about Steve is that he listens very attentively to what you say, then goes away and thinks about it. Probably while walking on the Downs (although Helen says the thinking part happens in the pub too!). Then he has an idea and rolls with it.
After working for Ericsson for many years while Helen set up her own nursery, Steve did some of that listening and thinking and walking (and possibly pub frequenting) and came up with the idea of an online community for early years educators – now known as The Foundation Stage Forum (FSF).
Of course, the FSF provided loads more people for Helen and Steve to have conversations about education with. After a few years of listening, thinking, walking and pub frequenting, Steve had the idea of creating an online learning journal to facilitate partnership with parents – he and Helen called it Tapestry.
The rest is history – except the FSF and Tapestry are still evolving and responding to members’ and customers’ needs. And Steve is still here, older, slightly more battered, still listening – so you’d better watch out just in case you happen to mention something that gives him an idea…
Helen
Director
Helen avoided full-time work for many years, following her ambition to be a perpetual student. After a degree in Linguistics, Music and Astronomy (probably the only person to have studied this particular combination of subjects) she gained a D.Phil from Sussex in Experimental Psychology.
At the grand old age of 28, she thought she’d better get a proper job, so completed a PGCE and became a primary school teacher. After the birth of her second child she opened her own nursery, which she managed for ten happy years. She was amongst the first to achieve Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), and tutored students on early years courses at Brighton University. She has also been a local authority EYFS advisor and an early years Ofsted inspector. Helen is part of the Education team here, commissioning articles and finding interesting people to connect with, from the wider early years and primary sectors. More recently, she’s joined the Marketing team and now knows what SEO stands for.
Adam
Product Support Specialist
After studying Leisure and Sport Management at Brighton University, Adam spent 10 years managing leisure centres before moving into software support and training within the leisure industry – combining hands-on experience with technical expertise. He joined Tapestry as a Product Support Specialist in 2025, having previously used the platform as a parent while his daughter attended nursery, giving him insight into the user experience from both sides. Outside of work, Adam enjoys staying active, playing football, travelling the world with his family, and unwinding with a good film.
Alan
Software Testing Manager
Alan began his career on the railways, taking on a wide range of roles including journey planning, ticket sales, and organising engineering works. After sixteen years, he decided on a change of direction and moved into IT and computing. Following several years mastering the art of software testing, he joined Tapestry in 2023 as a tester and stepped into the role of Testing Manager in 2025, where he now leads his own team of bug zappers. Outside of work, Alan enjoys travelling the world, trying his hand at new languages, and getting into the occasional scrap in the boxing ring.
Alexandra
Product Support Manager
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Events and Leisure Marketing, Alexandra worked briefly as a PA and in customer service before joining Tapestry in November 2020. In her role, she can be found supporting customers and overseeing the Product Support team. When not at her desk, Alexandra enjoys wandering in nature and curling up with a good brew and a book.
Amanda
Product Tester
After completing her degree in Mathematical Sciences and spending a few years in customer service and admin related roles, Amanda decided to try her hand at product testing, and it turns out she’s really rather good at it! She joined the Tapestry team in January 2020 and although initially she only worked with us part time, she was quickly convinced to move up to 5 days a week. When she’s not working, you can find Amanda clocking up the hours on Zelda or chasing down Pokémon.
Andy
Lead Developer
Andy was rescued from self-employment by the FSF in 2015. After a short adjustment period where he tried to fire colleagues and take over the company, he became endlessly patient and now everyone plagues him for help! Andy’s first job was to do a behind the scenes rewrite of Tapestry – an enormous task – and he has had a hand in pretty much everything since then. He’s really good at taking everyone’s ideas and magically turning them into reality.
Anya
UX/UI Designer and Product Tester
Anya began her career in Early Years education, teaching in the UK as well as in France and Belgium. After a few years abroad, she returned home and worked as a 1:1 support for children with SEMH needs, while also studying Child Psychotherapy. In January 2021, she joined the Tapestry Team as an Education Advisor and Product Support Technician. While testing Tapestry, Anya discovered a passion for improving the user experience, which led her to study UX/UI Design at the UX Design Institute. She’s now Tapestry’s UX/UI Designer. Outside of work, you’ll find Anya pottering in her garden or hanging out with her two dogs, Koda and Taz.
Becca
Education and Sales Advisor
With a longstanding passion for child psychology, early intervention and SEND, Becca studied for a doctorate in Child, Community and Educational Psychology from the Tavistock and Portman Clinic in London, qualifying in 2007. She can often be found with her head in a psychology article. Following a break from education during her daughter’s primary school years, she is excited to be back, and supporting Tapestry in their marketing, product support and education teams. Becca has a particular interest in neurodivergence. When she is not working, Becca enjoys singing, musical theatre, and trips away in her campervan.
Ben C
Education Advisor and Sales Manager
Ben is a key figure within the Tapestry Education team, leveraging over a decade of experience as a primary and Early Years teacher. As a former, dedicated Tapestry user, he brings a valuable first-hand perspective on the platform’s potential for driving child-centred teaching and reducing educator workload. In his current role, Ben leads engagement with settings around the world, advising them on effective Tapestry implementation strategies and showcasing innovative features. He is committed to providing ongoing support and regularly contributes to the range of free webinars and training offered to support practitioners. Outside of work, Ben enjoys following Formula 1 and listening to music.
Ben S
Developer
After working on school tech and running his own web development company while looking after his young children, Ben ventured into the medical technology sector writing app for patients and doctors to support the use of ECG recorders at home. The transition to working on Tapestry in 2022 pairs his passion for working on software that makes a positive difference, and his first-hand experience as a working parent and Tapestry user. Between work and parents, Ben enjoys allotmenting, looking at the night sky, and anything else outdoors.
Charlotte
International Business Development
Charlotte graduated from the University of Sussex in 2011 and began a career in international education shortly after – starting in admissions and later moving into business development within the international schools sector. She joined Tapestry early in 2025 on a short-term contract but loved it so much, she stayed! She can often be found with an iced coffee in hand, enjoying live music, and trying to balance her love of both pizza and fitness, though she is usually happiest reading or baking at home with her husband and kids.
Dan
Senior Developer
Dan has been with us since early 2017. Before that, he was a serial developer and caretaker of bespoke websites, maintaining around one hundred of them. Now he’s an invaluable member of the developer team at Tapestry, having worked in the development of our Nursery Management System, Care Diary, and Cherry Garden framework, among many other projects. In his free time, Dan enjoys scuba diving in exotic locations.
Des
Mobile App Developer
Des joined the Development Team in 2018, and is responsible for the Android app. His goals are to make the app more modern and feature rich. Being a competitive person, Des has also set himself the ambitious goal of drinking more tea than anyone else in the company. When he’s not working, Des enjoys playing with his old motorcycle, hang gliding and the odd pint of real ale.
Dylan
Product Support Specialist
Dylan graduated from Newcastle University in 2024. After embarking on far-flung adventures to places like the Sahara Desert and China, he went on to work in customer-facing roles and volunteer with local charities before joining the Product Support team in April 2026. When he’s not working, he can usually be found hiking on the downs or out surfing.
Emily B
Project Manager
Emily joined FSF and Tapestry in 2016 after earning her bachelor’s degree from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. She became Product Support Manager in 2018, expanded her role to include Testing Manager responsibilities in 2020, and joined the Product Development team in late 2025. Now a Project Manager, Emily helps deliver exciting new features—often alongside her playful dog, Ruby (eagle-eyed readers may spot Ruby on our support site).
Emily R
sales administrator
Emily spent seven years working as a Veterinary Nurse before transitioning into the education sector, joining Tapestry as a Sales Administrator in 2025. Her background shaped a compassionate, people-focused approach and a genuine passion for supporting others, qualities she now brings to helping practitioners and teachers discover and make the most of the platform. Emily particularly enjoys building strong relationships with customers and ensuring their experience with Tapestry is both positive and seamless. Outside of work, she can often be found baking sweet treats, gaming, or curled up somewhere cosy with a good book.
Jack
Product Support Specialist and Education Advisor
Jack started his career in education as a volunteer in a Brighton-based Charity for children with motor disorders. After which he was hired as an assistant conductor. During his time there, he studied at the University of Brighton to qualify as a primary school teacher. After a short stint as a supply teacher, Jack got his first job teaching Year 6. He remained in that role for a few years before moving to Year 4. Jack joined Tapestry in August 2019 after many hints from his former housemate and now manager, Emily. In his Product Support role, Jack can be found answering customer emails and offering Tapestry advice on the phone. As part of the Education Team, you’ll find him writing articles, recording podcasts and offering words of educational wisdom while drinking mugs of coffee.
Jade
Product Tester
Jade swapped serving burgers for bug testing in 2020 when she made the jump into tech. After six years as a QA consultant, she was ready to join a creative and collaborative company where she could work more closely with her teammates, and found exactly that at Tapestry in 2026. In her spare time, Jade loves spending time with her dog, Freddy, reading, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Jamie
Digital Content Creator
Having grown up watching the FSF and Tapestry flourish into what it is today, Jamie joined the family business in 2018 after a short career as a personal trainer in a gym – the early morning starts and late Friday night shifts were enough to put anyone off exercise for life! He currently splits his time between marketing and editing our increasing library of videos and podcasts.
Jesse
Senior Developer
Jesse is a Senior Web Developer who’s always up for a challenge! With three daughters to keep him on his toes, he’s used to juggling multiple projects at once – whether it’s developing cutting-edge software or keeping his kids entertained. Before joining us at Tapestry in 2022, Jesse made a name for himself working on large-scale data aggregation projects and helping develop and maintain some of the biggest TV show websites. But now, he’s all about creating exciting new Tapestry features. When he’s not busy coding up a storm, Jesse works behind the scenes with our infrastructure team to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Jo
Product Support Specialist
Jo joined Tapestry in 2023 as part of the Customer Services team. After retraining as a teacher when her son was small, she worked predominantly in Early Years, most recently as a supply teacher in Sussex, where she was a Tapestry user herself. Before teaching, following university, Jo held several roles in IT across financial services, software development, and the public sector. When not working, Jo is often found gardening and walking on the Downs. As an avid craftsperson, a company called “Tapestry” seemed an obvious choice!
Kat
Brand and Campaign Design Specialist
Kat joined the ranks of the Product Support Team in 2019, having spent previous years working for the National Health Service. In early 2020 she mentioned to Helen and Steve that she could illustrate, and now her work can be seen across our guides, webpages, leaflets, merchandise, and more. In 2023 she officially moved into the Marketing Team and now spends her time building and maintaining our three websites, overseeing Tapestry brand and campaign visuals and learning to be a web developer. She considers herself living proof that it’s possible to do anything with BA in English Literature! In her spare time she enjoys wearing full plate armour and swinging swords about, and will dual anyone over the last chocolate Hobnob.
Katie
Sales Administrator
Katie began her career in administrative and business support roles within SEN and Child Protection Social Work. After Covid, she decided to take a completely different direction… which led her to become the General Manager of (in her words) the best pub in Hove, where she spent three brilliant years. She’s now very happy to be part of the team at Tapestry. Outside of work, Katie lives with her boyfriend and their very fluffy Persian cat, Ted. She loves eating and drinking out, whether that’s locally or while exploring new cities, and is an unapologetic musical theatre fan.
Kawsu
Developer
Kawsu joined the team as a web developer in February 2019 to support the ongoing evolution of Tapestry. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science, and over the course of his career has developed software for the engineering, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications industries. Outside of work, Kawsu spends his time composing and recording music, as well as painting landscapes.
Kirk
Web Developer & Multimedia Engineer
Kirk came to us via the route of his son’s school using Tapestry. A ‘Creative Technologist’ he weaves rich media and web development together in new and inventive ways. Previously producing innovative digital storytelling products and platforms, Kirk produces our videos, develops the technical side of our marketing website and he created the beautiful and engaging graphic for the Cherry Garden Framework. His passions include photography and video.
Laura
Product Support Specialist
Laura spent 13 years teaching in KS1 and EYFS, where she developed a passion for capturing the small learning moments that make a big difference. After using Tapestry in her own classroom for five years, she moved into a role supporting other educators to get the most out of it. Today, she works closely with customers, drawing on her classroom experience every day. Outside of work, Laura is usually on the netball court, singing power ballads at full volume, or proudly living her best life as a Swiftie.
Lauren
Product Development Manager
Lauren joined Tapestry in 2014 and over the years has been involved in almost all areas of the company. Now her time is mostly spent on defining priorities and the scope and design of new features. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys reading, napping with her cat Patrick, and watching films featuring explosions.
Lottie
Sales and Education Advisor
Lottie spent six years teaching Dance across Key Stages 3 to 5 in schools throughout East Sussex prior to joining Tapestry. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Brighton University and brings her passion for teaching and learning to the Education and Sales teams by supporting schools with onboarding to Tapestry. She also coordinates the case studies programme, where she visits a range of settings and shares their best practice and how they implement Tapestry to support other settings. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places through her love of travel.
Louise
Finance Officer and Head Housekeeper
Louise joined the very small FSF team part time back in 2008, spending the rest of her week moonlighting as a school secretary. After a brief hiatus working full time in school, Louise was lured back in January 2018 as part of the product and customer support teams, finally enabling her to leave school and embark on life as a proper grown up! Louise is now firmly embedded in the Accounts and Finance department and also looks after Team Gemma and Trudy (G&T!) while they look after the building, staff and all the lively events we have on the premises. She is often joined in the office by her mad dog, Eric, who brings chaos and much hilarity to the team.
Matt H
Developer
Matt joined Tapestry in May 2025 as a Front End Developer, which means he spends his time working on new website functionality and making sure the user experience is top-notch. He’s father to identical twin daughters and was first introduced to Tapestry as a parent user. Whenever spare time can be found, Matt enjoys running, cycling, playing cricket, and trying his hand at growing carrots. He’s convinced that toasted crumpets are the greatest food of all time – good luck convincing him otherwise!
Matt M
FSF Developer
Matt has known Steve and Helen since 2004. For a long time he maintained the FSF community software. Then at some point in late 2011, Steve mentioned an idea he had to take learning journey folders online. He somehow convinced Matt that it would only be a small feature addition for the forum and could be completed over a weekend. This idea soon blossomed into Tapestry and Matt was tasked with creating the first version, which was released in 2012. Thankfully, Tapestry was an immediate hit and is now looked after by a team of very talented developers allowing Matt to return to looking after the community software and payment systems. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing the guitar, wrangling with his two boys, and refusing to watch any of the Lord of the Ring films.
Olaya
Marketing Communications Specialist
Olaya (pronounced ‘oh liar’ or ‘Oh-Leia’, depending on your love for Star Wars) joined Tapestry in August 2017, having moved to England from the Basque Country in 2014. Shortly after completing her MSc in International Events Management, she found her place among us. After three years on the Product Support team, Olaya is now our Marketing Communications Specialist. Olaya loves reading fantasy and sci-fi and you can often find her climbing walls – literally, not figuratively.
Sandra
Product Tester
After qualifying in early years teaching and education in Portugal, Sandra embarked on an adventure to the UK. She worked in a primary school setting until her life became consumed by two beautiful sons and she decided to pursue another one of her interests – software testing. At Tapestry you will find Sandra testing new features. When she’s not at work Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and riding around town on her pink bike.
Sela
Developer
Sela has been interested in programming since he took a programming course in a summer camp when he was in primary school. Later he graduated with a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in computer science. He has worked on various projects since then, the last one before joining us was a platform to build campaigns for outdoor advertising. In his free time, he likes to taste different chocolate and bake bread. He has promised to bake for us in the office!
Simon
Developer
Simon joined the FSF in June 2020 and works with the development team, helping to support and improve Tapestry for its users. Simon counts himself among those users, as he first learnt about Tapestry through his daughter’s nursery, and later her school. After previously spending more than ten years building and maintaining dozens of websites, he now enjoys directing all of his efforts into Tapestry. When he’s not doing that he likes to read, run, or do his best to answer his daughter’s innumerable questions about the world.
Stephen
SEND Advisor and Outreach Teacher
Stephen worked in mainstream for the first four years of his career before moving to Cherry Garden School in London where he was Early Years lead and Deputy Headteacher. Cherry Garden is a school for children with severe and complex support needs, and Stephen was based there for 11 years before joining the FSF in September 2019 as our SEND Advisor. He now lives in the North East where he visits nurseries and schools to offer free support, and he shares the Branch Maps that he worked on developing at Cherry Garden. These are now part of the Tapestry assessment system.
Sue
Accounts and Finance Manager
Sue began working at the FSF way back in 2005, and has the scars to prove it. At first she looked after customers as the customer service manager, and anyone who takes care of one of the FSF local authority schemes will undoubtedly have had a lot of contact with her. More recently she has taken on the role of Accounts and Finance Manager, overseeing monies coming in and going out. Prior to this her career included customer services roles with HSBC before moving to do UK and Export sales for a large manufacturing firm. Once her children were in school Sue worked in Helen’s nursery for several years, having achieved her NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. In her spare time (we don’t give her much of that) she plays a mean round of golf and cares lovingly for her dog Billy.
Tim
IT Manager
Tim has had a varied career, including at least these three elements: he was an IT manager in a local newspaper organisation; he holds Early Years Teacher Status and has built a childminding business; he currently looks after the FSF and Tapestry IT systems and is a member of the product support team. All this still leaves him time to cycle more miles than it can possibly be good for anyone to do. Messi the dog often joins him at work and helps out with all the technical stuff!
Toby
Development Manager
Toby joined the team in 2021 having been a Tapestry user at his son’s school, and discovering that the team was based down the road in his hometown of Lewes. He tries to use his experience of delivering IT projects in large organisations such as BBC, BUPA and the Financial Times and has enjoyed working in a smaller organisation without lots of bureaucracy. This has, however, meant spending less time creating his beloved Powerpoint presentations. But that is more than offset by the lovely people he works with and the cakes they feed him. Outside work he enjoys being a dad, playing badminton and fair-weather outdoor swimming.
Trudy
Housekeeper
Trudy has worked most of her adult life, only taking ‘time off’ for three years when she had her son. Over the past twenty years she has worked mainly in the hospitality industry. A lot of that time was spent housekeeping, so she was quite happy to join the housekeeping team at FSF and Tapestry HQ. She looks after everyone and keeps us all out of mischief – not an easy task!
Val
Developer
Val first joined Tapestry when she did an internship in Summer 2021 (during her second year of university). She then re-joined in Summer 2022 after finishing a Computer Science with AI bachelor’s degree. Val is primarily a backend developer; however, she is always interested in expanding into other areas. Val knew she enjoyed programming since the time she made a fishing website with her dad when she was 13. When Val’s not at work she’s usually either at the gym or at home playing The Sims 4.
Vanna
Content Marketing and Product Support Specialist
Vanna first encountered Tapestry while training for her teaching degree at Brighton University, and she continued to use it as an early years teacher in Eastbourne. Inspired by how much the platform supported her own practice, she was keen to join the company and help other educators get the most from Tapestry. Outside of work, Vanna can usually be found eating chocolate, enjoying a line-dance boogie, or pestering her cat, Todd.
Weronika
Product Tester
Weronika took a page from her developer dad’s playbook and jumped into tech as a Test Analyst. It turned out to be a brilliant move—she’s been happily breaking things (on purpose!) ever since. When she’s off the clock, Weronika is either elbow-deep in a new recipe (her friends are the lucky taste-testers), singing her heart out at live gigs, or lost in a good book. She shares her home with two cats, and an ever-growing book and plant collection.
