Sheffield-based Natterhub provides safe space to teach children about internet

Natterhub is a safe and educational social media platform that allows children to learn about the internet, social media and screen use.

The Sheffield-based business was founded by CEO Manjit Sareen, chief operating officer, Deepak Sareen and chief creative officer and former assistant headteacher Caroline Allams.

As parents of young children the trio recognised an increasing need to equip children with the knowledge and skills to use the internet wisely and safely.

Natterhub says it has seen exponential growth since its launch in April, with over 2,000 schools in 38 countries already using the platform.

The business has hired eight new full-time team members as a result.

Gemma Exelby has joined as marketing manager, Phil Bayles as a content writer, Sam Harris as a software developer and Peter Millard as a senior developer.

Kitty Crowther also joins Natterhub as a teacher support advisor, Ruby Qaimkhani as a business development consultant, and Rio Athwal as an intern.

Thomas Woodward will also be joining the team as a junior developer in October.

Natterhub is part of TwinklHive, the business accelerator created by Sheffield-based educational publisher Twinkl.

Natterhub said its platform was created by the founders but developed further by educational experts and developers at Twinkl. Although the team at Twinkl and TwinklHive will continue to support the business, Natterhub is keen to grow its own inhouse team.

Ms Exelby has joined Natterhub as marketing manager from marketing firm Purple Agency, where as a senior account executive she managed internal projects and supported the project management process across international teams.

She also previously trained and worked as a primary school teacher.

Ms Exelby said: “I’d been working in project management since 2018, and whilst I enjoyed the work, there was always something missing. Natterhub’s ethos and purpose is so important and meaningful for education and it has become clear to me that this was the missing piece.

“It’s wonderful to work with a team where everyone is willing to get their hands stuck in for anything and everything. An ideal scenario for a startup business.

“None of us have actually met each other face-to-face as we have all been hired during the coronavirus pandemic, but it feels like we’ve known each other for years.”

Former primary school teacher Ms Crowther has also joined Natterhub as a teacher support adviser. Her new role will see her focus on helping the teachers and schools using Natterhub, from supporting them to sign-up to helping them with any future questions or queries.

Ms Crowther said: “As a teacher, you are an important role model in a child’s life and it’s our duty to support them to keep as safe as possible when online.

“Natterhub is helping to transform education about the online world in an engaging and creative way and I wanted to be a part of that journey.”

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James Mitchinson