Your ambition Our mission Together, we open up the world

What we stand for

At INTO, we open up a world of possibilities. The opportunity for universities to expand their global reach and impact, supporting their success. The chance for students to broaden their horizons, to be in the very best place to shape their unique future. Together, we are creating a connected, collaborative, thriving world.

An open world.

Our vision

We believe education transforms the world. When students move across borders, they bring ideas that strengthen societies and foster connection.

By partnering with us, universities attract diverse, talented students and achieve their international ambitions.
Opening up education opportunities across the globe creates the connections and understanding that inspire a thriving global society.

We partner with universities, helping them play their role in creating a more open world. Extending their reach to students across the globe. We enable them to embrace international opportunities with confidence and to achieve their ambitions.

We support and inspire students to get the most from what the world can offer them. An exceptional student experience sets them up for the best chance of success. And they become global citizens: offering back their skills and knowledge with open hearts and minds.

Our mission

Because when we open ourselves up to the world, everyone benefits.

Our strategy

We are redefining the international student experience:

Simplifying the journey: We make recruitment easy and transparent for students and universities.
Expanding global reach: We go beyond the ordinary. Through our global agent network and on-the-ground expertise in key markets, we connect universities with students from around the world.
Creating value: Our programs combine academic excellence, career support, and employability, tailored to international students' needs.

With INTO’s support, campuses welcome students who are confident, prepared, and ready to thrive in their studies, careers and beyond.

INTO leadership teams

Our leadership brings together diverse expertise, uniting senior academics, private sector innovators, and public service professionals to open up new possibilities for students and universities worldwide.

Executive team

John Sykes

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

John Sykes

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

John has over 20 years’ experience in the higher education sector and has a strong background in corporate finance. As one of INTO’s founding directors, John has been a lynch-pin in the development of every Joint Venture.

After graduating from Brighton University, John joined leading accounting firm KPMG, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and gained significant experience in the corporate finance arena. John then joined a corporate finance practice in Sussex where he led many small- and medium-sized investments in London and the South East, eventually becoming a partner.

From 1995 to 2003, John was Finance Director of Study Group, where he formed a strong working relationship with founder Andrew Colin and played an instrumental role in growing the business, overseeing its acquisition by The Daily Mail Group in 1999, and helping to expand operations into Australia, the USA and Canada.

In 2006 John and Andrew established INTO University Partnerships. John has been a Director and Board Member of the company since inception. In 2012, John led a private placement process culminating in an equity investment from Leeds Equity Partners of £66 million in the group for a 25 per cent stake in the business. This investment completed the first stage of INTO’s funding plans, which are aimed at providing universities with access to significant external capital to fund innovation and capacity building in the higher education sector.

John focuses on driving business development and supporting operational leadership in order to guide the strategic direction of the company. He attributes INTO’s extraordinary growth trajectory and reputation for academic excellence to robust management, ongoing and substantial investment in learning centers, and a superior global sales and marketing infrastructure.

When he is not travelling to meet new partner institutions or visit INTO’s operations around the world, John lives in Eastbourne, East Sussex, with his wife Denise and three children Michael, George and Olivia.

Roz Chivers

Chief Financial Officer

INTO board

Andrew Colin

Founder and Owner

Andrew Colin

Founder and Owner

Andrew Colin is the founder/owner of INTO University Partnerships. He provides the leadership and vision which has helped INTO to develop partnerships with leading universities across three continents.

Andrew combines a strong entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for education and international student mobility.

Back in 1981, while studying law at the London School of Economics, Andrew launched his first company - providing Apple-sponsored computer courses for schoolchildren.

In 1990, he founded and directed Study Group, which, under his leadership, became a major force in international pre-university education with centres established throughout the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2005, Andrew founded INTO University Partnerships, with the aim of transforming the international student experience and helping leading internationally-focused universities to expand access and improve student mobility.

Since its establishment, INTO has delivered world-class educational experiences to international students through joint venture partnerships with leading universities across the UK, the US and China.

In May 2013, Andrew received the prestigious Global Leadership Award from the University of South Florida in recognition of his contribution to international education.

UK INTO center leadership team

US INTO center leadership team

Australia leadership

Partnership development team

Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy

At INTO, we are committed to connecting world-class universities with exceptional global talent, transforming students’ academic success ethically while promoting environmental and social justice. Our ESG strategy showcases our dedication to sustainability, transparency, and integrity. With a clear focus on immediate actions and long-term goals, we aim to drive positive outcomes across environmental, social, and governance aspects.

Download our ESG strategy 2024 PDF

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