Panoba IN DETAIL
British education consultants and Co-founders, Debbie Gispan and Nicky Sakpoba, recognise that each child is unique and ensure that the final choice of education is centred around an understanding of the student and what will suit them best.
Panoba are a certified agent of the prestigious BSA (Boarding Schools Association). Boasting a strong and extensive database of personal and professional contacts and services which enables them to provide their clients with a level of service unattainable elsewhere. Discretion, trustworthiness and professionalism are what makes Panoba the lifestyle service choice for our overseas and high-end clientele
→ Need more info about schools that specialise in sports?
PANOBA UK
NICKY SAKPOBA
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
+44 203 633 3101 | +44 7956 963022 | +234 818 997 1784
NICKY@PANOBA.CO.UK
Nicky was educated at an independent girls’ school in West London and went on to study European Languages at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Her career began in the hospitality sector, where she spent ten years in management roles within some of London’s leading five-star hotels. She then transitioned into the commercial property sector, holding senior sales, marketing and business development positions for over twelve years. During this time she gained extensive experience in client relationship management, strategic planning and delivering high-level service to discerning international clients.
As a mother of two young adults, Nicky has personally navigated the UK education system from early years through to university entry. This first-hand experience, combined with her professional background, led her to co-found Panoba in 2014, with the aim of providing clear, knowledgeable and reassuring guidance to families exploring UK education.
Today, Nicky works directly with families on school and university placements, oversees Panoba’s consultants and manages relationships with UK schools. She particularly enjoys the challenge of finding tailored pathways for students whose requirements fall outside traditional entry routes, and is dedicated to ensuring that every family feels supported and every student is placed in an environment where they can flourish.
Nicky is based in North London and travels regularly to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to meet families, schools and partner organisations.
PANOBA NIGERIA
DEBBIE GISPAN
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
+234 813 555 3377 | +44 7956 910459
debbie@panoba.co.uk
Debbie was educated within the UK independent sector and attended a boarding school during her teenage years. She later studied at University College London and completed an MSc in International Business from the University of London.
She began her career in investment banking, where she developed strong leadership, strategic planning and client relationship skills, working in high-expectation environments where precision, service and discretion were essential. In 2010, Debbie moved to West Africa, where she became increasingly aware of the need for credible, experienced and genuinely supportive guidance for families considering education in the UK.
Driven by this insight, and informed by her own journey as a parent navigating school admissions, Debbie co-founded Panoba in 2014. She has been instrumental in shaping the company’s commitment to clear, honest and tailored advice, ensuring that every family is understood as an individual case, not a process.
Debbie works closely with families across West Africa, guiding them through school and university pathways and maintaining strong relationships with partner schools and educational organisations. As a mother of two young adults and a teenager, she appreciates both the practical and emotional considerations that influence educational decisions and is dedicated to helping families make confident, well-informed choices.
