In this feature, we spoke with Natalie Samoel from New College Group (NCG) to uncover the story behind one of the UK’s most trusted English language schools. From its roots in Manchester to winning an Edvisor Award and sponsoring EdSummit, NCG’s journey reflects steady growth, digital transformation, and a strong student-first philosophy.
Natalie shares how Edvisor streamlined their operations, expanded their global reach, and how recognition at EdSummit helped unlock new opportunities.
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In this story...
A School Built on Vision and Care
From Spreadsheets to Smart Systems
Everyday Efficiency and Future Plans
Recognition and Reach: What EdSummit Made Possible
Looking Ahead
New College Group (NCG) was founded in 2009 in Manchester by Sadiq Basha, who had spent many years living in the UK and abroad. Motivated by his passion for education and international experience, he set out to create more than a language school—he wanted to build a welcoming, student-focused environment where learners could feel supported.
Originally known as New College Manchester, the school quickly grew in reputation and reach. In 2015, it opened a second campus in Liverpool and rebranded as New College Group to reflect its broader vision.
Today, NCG delivers high-quality English education through its adult schools in Manchester and Liverpool, offering programs such as General English, Business English, IELTS preparation, teacher training, and custom group courses.
It also runs popular summer camps for young learners in Manchester, ideal for those interested in a dynamic city experience with football, and in Portsmouth, a coastal setting offering a more traditional British atmosphere.
What sets NCG apart is its strong focus on care and support. British Council accreditation and English UK membership back the school’s academic excellence, while a close-knit, student-first culture ensures learners feel supported every step of the way.
Long before automation became the industry standard, Natalie was already envisioning a better way of working. When she joined NCG seven years ago, she brought with her a tool she already trusted from a previous role: Edvisor.
At that time, NCG’s operations were largely dependent on spreadsheets, functional, but chaotic. “It was all over the place,” Natalie recalls. Quotes were slow, and applications had to be “manually implemented”, a time-consuming task prone to human error. The team did have a system in place, but as Natalie puts it, it was “a very old style” of working.
“There’s clearly a before and after,” she says. “Before Edvisor, it was all spreadsheets and PDFs. After, everything became faster and easier and not just for us, but also for the agents and students.”
NCG already had Fidelo in place as their student management system, but it wasn't until they integrated Edvisor that things truly streamlined. The combination of both platforms allowed for smoother workflows, better data handling, and fewer manual tasks.
What truly made a difference for Natalie was no longer having to manage all the pricing updates herself—a task she described as difficult and time-consuming, especially across different regions.
“I used to be the one updating all the prices,” she explains. “It was very hard to keep track of everything.” With Edvisor’s support team now assisting in that process, things have become much smoother and more efficient for the entire team.
Today, Edvisor is used every day by NCG’s sales and admissions teams. Whether responding to new inquiries, managing applications, or staying in sync with agents, the platform has become essential to their workflow.
“We get notifications and applications every day. Whether it's a new student or an existing one, we see constant back-and-forth between the team and the platform,” Natalie adds.
Beyond that, the centralized access to real-time information, from course details to pricing and student data, has drastically improved coordination and allowed the team to focus on what matters: student support and meaningful relationships with agents.
And while Edvisor already plays a big role, NCG is looking ahead. The team is exploring additional tools like EdWallet, aiming to simplify international payments and further enhance the student experience.
In short, Edvisor hasn’t just improved how NCG works, it has helped them scale with confidence, clarity, and care.
NCG’s relationship with Edvisor extends beyond operations. As an EdSummit sponsor and proud winner of the Leading Educators '24 in Mexico, NCG found not just recognition, but opportunity.
For Natalie, EdSummit offered something special. She attended all three events, in Mexico City, Bogotá, and São Paulo—and each one brought different market insights and conversations. “It felt more personal than just professional,” she reflects. “We really connected with people.”
The most memorable moment? The award ceremony. For Natalie, it wasn’t just about recognition, it was about the impact that followed. “In terms of results, feedback, and the connections I made afterward, the prize was really important for us,” she explained. “We felt seen. That was really the catching point for me.”
That’s also what motivated NCG to sponsor the event. “We trust the platform,” Natalie says. “It truly delivers what it promises, especially in Latin America. Edvisor brings value, insight, and connections.”
As for the future, NCG has its sights set on continued growth, new facilities, more summer camps, and deeper ties with international partners. With the UK regaining strength as a top study destination, NCG is doubling down on what they do best: offering affordable, high-quality experiences outside London and other major city centers.
Above all, NCG remains committed to growing with care, offering quality education while maintaining the supportive, family-like environment that defines them.
¨We never thought of moving away from Edvisor because it really gave us good results,¨ Natalie says. ¨If I ever represent another school in the future, I would definitely take Edvisor with me.¨