The Team

Onder Sahan
Onder Sahan is the Founder and Managing Director of Docklands Academy London. Mr Sahan is a successful entrepreneur with a growing hospitality business, established in 1999. Over the years, Mr Sahan has opened several restaurants, cafes, bars and a boutique hotel all across Central London. Amidst his thriving businesses in the hospitality sector, Mr Sahan appreciates the value of education and skills, and this led him to establish Docklands Academy London in 2011. The mission of the Academy, 'to provide quality education for future leaders in the world of work and business’ is something that Mr Sahan strongly believes in and strives to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed in their chosen path.
Onder Sahan
Founder and Managing Director

Sarah Colmar
Sarah has worked in further and higher education for over 30 years. Her work has been in teaching, training and development including managing her own centre. She now largely provides external consultancy in quality, and scrutiny as an external verifier and as an educational inspector. Sarah is familiar with private sector colleges. She has experience as a chair and as a member of advisory boards within the private college sector in a range of organisations offering Further and Higher Education courses in Business, Health and Social Care, Education and Training, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure and Computing, Intelligence, Cyber Security, and IT. She visits many private colleges nationally and internationally carrying out training, approvals, academic management review and verification of courses at Levels 2 to 3 and Levels 4-7. She has been acquainted with DAL over the previous five years and supported the teams in a range of matters as required. As well as chair of the DAL board she serves as a board member with special interest in quality management
Sarah Colmar
Board of Governance Chair

Graham Spickett-Jones
Graham has been a marketing and management academic for three decades, and before that he had a decade of experience in a successful commercial career in the brewing sector. He has professional qualifications as well as a master’s degree in Marketing. He also has a first degree in Communication Studies, and a Management PhD dealing with the professional communications industry. He has held leadership roles in teaching-led and research focused universities, and worked in marketing in entrepreneurial sectors of business. His university life has balanced academic leadership and management with research, teaching, consultancy and reach-out roles, including publishing in top-ranked international academic and professional journals. His specialist interests include the use of the media landscape for promotional marketing, and he has written about issues like how the Brexit outcome was influenced by social media campaigns. He has industry consultancy experience that includes working with media agencies and media owners,. He has been the academic leader for successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships worth over a million pounds of research income, and led EU funded business development programmes for SMEs. His teaching covers the marketing discipline and communication industry, including digital marketing, advertising, brand management, information processing and neuroscience. He has taught around the world as an MBA programme leader for several UK universities, and he has extensive experience of international student recruitment and managing overseas agents. Currently, he lead the Department of Marketing, Fashion, Hospitality and Tourism for Coventry University London.
Graham Spickett-Jones
Board of Governance

Andy Rogers
Andy Rogers was a career banker with Bank of Ireland, a career split between Ireland and the UK. Now retired, he continues as a portfolio non-executive director and business mentor based in London. Andy was a member of the IMD (Lausanne) Foundation Board for three years. He is actively involved in a wide range of community, educational and charitable organisations in the UK and Ireland. He enjoys golf and gardening. Married, with three daughters and three grandchildren.
Andy Rogers
Board of Governance

Chris McLean
Chris has worked in Further and Higher Education for over 30 years, with particular interest in lifelong learning and continuing education and their role in social mobility. He has a long history of engagement with the widening participation agenda and is passionate about opening opportunities for all who wish to participate in learning. He held a number of roles through his career, as a lecturer, curriculum manager and manager of business support services. He has more than 15 years’ experience on college senior leadership teams. Chris retired from his role as Principal of Milton Keynes College in 2020.
Chris McLean
Board of Governance

Canan Ejder Celik
Canan Ejder Celik, is the CEO / Principal leading on strategic and operational oversight of Docklands Academy London (DAL) to ensure best practice is followed to help develop a vision for the future of DAL in and beyond the context of the current strategic plan. Canan has a background in Business Management and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Development. Her attentive and thorough approach is owed to over two decades of experience in Management & Leadership in Hospitality, Healthcare and Education sectors. During her time in the Academy, Canan has actively overseen the operational activities of each department in the development of short, long term objectives and the Strategic Plan. Canan is a member of the Board of Governance and chairs the Quality Committee and Finance Committee of the Academy. She leads on building trust relationships with national and international partners and stakeholders. In line with the Academy’s mission statement, Canan will continue to lead on maintaining and improving robust systems & processes that will assure that the Academy is a centre of excellence primarily in Business, Hospitality & English provisions, compliant by awarding organisations and enforces adherence to current guidelines for Higher & Further Education.
Canan Ejder Celik
CEO/ Principal
Designated Safeguarding Officer
First aider & Mental Health First aid
canan.ejder@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Ercan Erkus
Ercan Erkus is the Academic Head developing robust delivery and quality assurance of teaching and learning and supervising all the staff, student progress, and HE programmes. He was an academician at Yildiz Technical University Istanbul for 23 years as a lecturer, Test Office Coordinator and Head of Modern Languages Department. With a master’s degree on Computer Assisted Language Learning, he worked with IBM as a Distance Education Content Developer. He became an “Aviation English Language Examiner, Rater and Rater Trainer” at Turkish Airlines Academy following trainings by RMIT University/ Australia and Latitude Aviation English Services/ UK. He is also a Teacher Trainer. Since joining the Academy, he has supported the development of academic policies and procedures, and teaching development, overseen academic committees, designed HE assignments and coordinated blended learning. His current priority is to support DAL to become a prominent academy delivering HE courses.
Ercan Erkus
Academic Head
Designated Safeguarding
Prevent Lead
ercan.erkus@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Erhan Yurdakul
Erhan Yurdakul is the Head of Academic Administration, who implements, leads and oversees an efficient and accurate academic administration process within the academic cycle. He is also involved in academic quality assurance activities and participates in the relevant committees. His background in teaching English at different levels and his industry experience in Hospitality and Travel and Tourism helps his successful approach and integration to new fields. Prior to joining the Academy, Erhan worked in the hospitality and travel and tourism sectors in various positions. He also taught English for a number of years, then worked and as a lawyer for a trade union. These previous experiences have continuously developed his approaches to plan, deliver and oversee an efficient and accurate academic administration process.
Erhan Yurdakul
Head of Academic Administration
erhan.y@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Murat Ozbek
Murat Ozbek is the Finance Manager at Docklands Academy, London whose duties are vital to the daily operation and management of the Academy. His Bachelor’s degree in Management Engineering and Master of Science degree in Management Engineering inform his analytical and systematic approach. Murat provides insight and implements financial control systems, and well as planning and controlling the annual budget of the Academy. Murat has also been very successful in maintaining knowledge of market changes to make the most informed decisions, as well as proposing marketing strategies to optimise the targeting of possibly customers. He is currently the member of our team working on DAL’s new database system.
Murat Ozbek
Finance Manager
HR & Estates
murat.ozbek@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Selin Doyan
Selin Doyan is the Quality Coordinator, who oversees the academic quality assurance functions such as internal verification processes, records monitoring and review. Her background in teaching and her Postgraduate Certificate in Education, inform her attentive and thorough approach. In addition to this, Selin has completed an Award in ‘Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement’ and an Award in ‘The Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice’. Since joining the Academy, Selin has worked in the Academic Department, continuously developing strategies to maintain high quality assurance systems in line with various awarding body regulations. Selin firmly believes that clear planning and procedures are fundamental to support the team to maintain practises at the highest possible standards. Currently, Selin is working on developing new programmes and courses to build a bridge between KS4 and KS5 learning to progress into Higher Education, giving learners a clear path for progression in vocational courses.
Selin Doyan
Quality Coordinator
Designated Safeguarding
Prevent Officer
First-Aider
selin@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Alper Uygur
Alper has 13 years’ experience in marketing and sales, focusing on the vital components of channel management, key account management, business development, and solid client relationships. He has worked for numerous well-known companies around the world, mostly in sales, which provided him with a firm grasp of creating positive relationships and experiences at all levels. His linguistics and teaching-related background has helped him to develop his future-focused vision for DAL. He is the marketing lead at DAL responsible for managing all marketing operations along with his colleagues at the department, developing and implementing strategies, establishing, and managing partnerships between DAL and its recruitment partners. His attentive approach ensures that the activities proceed in a well-planned flow.
Alper Uygur
Head of Marketing
First- Aider
alper.u@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Mehmet Ozaksu
Mehmet Ozaksu is a part-time Higher Education lecturer at Docklands Academy, London who provides high quality academic teaching and programme coordination for students in accordance with unit specifications for BTEC HNC and HND programmes. He is a Linguist, having over 30 years of experience in teaching (and running a school of English in Turkey). Since joining the Academy, he has used a variety of teaching methods to ensure that content and English language skills are adequately integrated as required and that students acquire and consolidate knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate to the module taught. He has kept up-to-date with current educational thinking and practice, both by study and by attendance at courses, workshops and meetings. He is currently liaising with other administrative staff, academic colleagues assessing how well learning objectives and learning outcomes have been achieved and using them to improve specific aspects of teaching
Mehmet Ozaksu
HE Lecturer
m.ozaksu@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Rose Aslan
Rose Aslan is the Head of Admissions at Docklands Academy, London. Rose primarily manages the admissions process and student finance applications, as well as overseeing welfare issues, and any other administrative duties in relation to the exams office. In particular, Rose oversees the recruitment, evaluation and admissions process for current and prospective students. Rose’s Undergraduate in Law and her experience as a practiced Paralegal signifies her cautious and vigilant approach. Furthermore, Rose has diversified and completed a TQUK Award in Education and Training, as well as a certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. Since joining the Academy, Rose has taken part in all awarding body inspections and has successfully led her department in this area. Through her duties as Head of Admissions, Rose has gained over 800 successful applications (globally) for the English Language department, and has ensured all visa processes were robustly completed. Rose’s main objective is to ensure all administrative and admission duties are carried out in line with various standards for awarding regulations.
Birgul Rose Aslan
Head of Admissions and Exam Officer
Designated Safeguarding Officer
First-Aider
birgul.rose@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Paul Vincent
Paul Vincent is an English language teacher, a HE lecturer and social programme co-ordinator at DAL. He plans and delivers online and face to face English language courses in both General and Academic English. He is also responsible for the delivery of Higher Education courses as well as assignment marking. In the role of social programme co-ordinator, he is responsible for planning and co-ordinating excursions to cultural, historical and educational establishments around London and beyond. He has 21 years’ experience of teaching both General and Academic English. TESOL qualified, Paul also holds the Level 5 Certificate of Education with Level 4 ESOL subject specialism. Since joining the Academy, Paul has delivered English language programmes to a variety of clients. His most significant achievements include designing and delivering bespoke language learning programmes to young Panamanian students, satisfying a brief laid out by the Panamanian government. He has also drawn positive feedback from students for his culturally enriching and educational social programme. Paul has successfully set up and is currently running an online General and Academic English provision in response to the needs of the Coronavirus pandemic. He seeks to further establish and develop DAL’s online provision as a key aspect of the future of language learning.
Paul Vincent
English Language Teacher
HE Lecturer
Social Coordinator
paul.v@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Raajal Changela
Raajal Changela is an English teacher at Docklands Academy who comfortably and confidently delivers lessons to a class of students or on a one-to-one basis, face-to-face or online. Raajal has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Advanced Diploma in TESOL, equipping her with the knowledge and expertise to teach effectively in a methodical yet dynamic and engaging way. With over 15 years teaching experience across a wide age-range in the UK and Australia, Raajal can tailor teaching methods to suit her students’ needs and abilities. Since joining The Academy, Raajal has taught individual and groups of students who need to learn English for various reasons from IELTS preparation to workplace development. Raajal strongly believes that lessons should be relevant, dynamic and challenging; this motivates students to progress and achieve their full potential. Raajal is currently working towards teaching across both the general English and Higher Education department.
Raajal Changela
English Language Teacher
raajalc@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Biviya Shrestha
Biviya Shrestha is the Marketing Officer at Docklands Academy London, where she is in charge of the Academy's promotional activities, market trends, and ad campaigns. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Digital Arts and a Master's degree in Digital Marketing. During her university years, she worked part-time as a sales assistant, and following graduation, she worked in payroll administration. These experiences assisted Biviya in developing knowledge and skills necessary for her career, such as communication, time management, and relationship building. As a Marketing Officer, Biviya is currently working on creating content for the Academy's social pages and website in order to establish a trustworthy reputation and credibility, as well as researching market trends that will help the Academy rank well in organic search results.
Biviya Shrestha
Marketing Officer
Widening Access and Participation Officer
biviya.s@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Cuneyt Ozarikan
Cuneyt Ozarikan is a part-time lecturer at Docklands Academy, London who instructs HNC and HND students through both face to face and online learning. In addition to this, Cuneyt effectively collaborates with academy staff to improve and maintain the course delivery and content, as well as assisting in the grading of student assignments. For over 20 years, Cuneyt has been teaching, coaching, and consulting in the education sector. Since joining the Academy, Cuneyt has worked in harmony with the academic staff, and has constantly found opportunities for improvement for both himself and the Academy, which has always been met with positive feedback. He has also built an excellent rapport with the students. Cuneyt has ability to work well with a range of people within any organisation which has been demonstrated through his written and verbal communication and through his exemplary digital teaching and presentation skills.
Cuneyt Ozarikan
HE lecturer
SEN Contact
c.ozarikan@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Hazal Bicare
Hazal Bicare is a member of the Academic and General English departments at Docklands Academy. Throughout her studies, Hazal has gained various qualifications and degrees in hotel management, linguistics, and business. In her early career, Hazal worked at hotels and travel agencies, followed by working as an in-house and freelance translator for numerous websites and firms during her university years. After graduation, Hazal then went on to work as a professional teacher in language centres and schools. Her former experiences helped her learn the required abilities to contribute to the Academy, such as time management, creativity, leadership, and effective communication. She believes that great coordination among diverse working bodies inside a school is the most important aspect of a successful learning journey, and she works to maintain the strength between different teams.
Hazal Bicare
Academic Adminisrator
Trainee
hazal@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Eglina Bubliauskaite
Eglina Bubliauskaite is the receptionist and Welfare Officer who acknowledges students and visitors when they arrive at the Academy and deals with welfare issues. The duties include providing information to enquiries and performing clerical tasks. Her background in philology and social sciences can be adapted in many industries improving analytical and critical thinking skills and understanding and appreciating cultural diversity. Since joining the Academy, Eglina has worked in the Administrative Department. Eglina believes that education has the potential to bring extraordinary benefits to any society, contributing to tremendous prosperity in the long run. Eglina enjoys learning new languages and encourages students to master English as learning a foreign language is of the utmost importance and the reasons to study a foreign language are innumerable. Different languages protect and nourish the growth of different cultures, where different pathways of human knowledge can be discovered.
Eglina Bubliauskaite
Welfare Officer & Receptionist
eglina.b@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Trifa Hama Raza
Trifa Hamaraza is the part-time Admin Officer in the Academic Department at Docklands Academy, London. Trifa's previous accomplishments include; GNVQ in ICT, Pre-School Practice (Child Care) and New CLAiT International Certificate for IT AECB. During her time at Docklands Academy, Trifa's contributions in the Academic Department have ensured that all filing and student documentation systems have been improved and maintained at a high level, as well as supporting prompt updates and data recording as necessary. Trifa is resourceful, quick to learn and communicates excellently with all team members. Trifa is particularly interested in putting her full effort and knowledge into the work with the Administration team.
Trifa Hama Raza
Academic Administrator
trifa.h@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Surel Hurriyetoglu
Surel Hurriyetoglu is the IT Engineer and Docklands Academy London who provides support on IT issues, manages devices and improves systems that are related with information technology. His background includes system and network administration and information security management. Since consulting the Academy, Surel has aimed to support and supply maturity of digitalisation of the Academy, and maintain the IT infrastructure within the IT Strategy Plan. Providing resilient and secure IT infrastructure is the main target of the business continuity that enhances the educational processes for the team and students therefore, Surel is currently working on the development of the IT Strategy Plan to ensure the protection, integrity and confidentiality of data within the regulatory compliance supply standardization.
Surel Hurriyetoglu
IT Consultant
surelh@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Bernardo De Vire
Academic Consultant
bernardo.devire@docklandsacademy.co.uk
Bernardo De Vire
Academic Consultant
bernardo.devire@docklandsacademy.co.uk

Prof. Mustafa Dogan
Professor Mustafa Dogan was born in Istanbul in 1974. Between 2008 to 2014, Mustafa worked for the Gökçeada Vocational Tourism School in Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University as a tourism lecturer and graduated with a Doctorate in Tourism Management. Between 2014 and 2018, Mustafa worked as an Assistant Professor in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Batman University, where he continues to work to this day. Mustafa also worked for Arizona State University, USA, as a guest researcher via the TUBİTAK post-doctorate scholarship between 2016-2017. Mustafa provides lectures on tourism and hospitality in Docklands Academy London. Key areas of focus include tourism management, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage and tourism, ecomuseum, and sustainable ways in tourism.
Prof. Mustafa Dogan
HE Lecturer
mustafa.dogan@docklandsacademy.co.uk