Team

Andy Durban

Associate Director of Business Development, UK & Europe
Andy joined Grok in April 2025 to serve as our Associate Director of Business Development, UK and Europe. Based in Faversham, UK, Andy’s role is to work closely with institutions that are considering working with Grok to help them determine if a collaboration is a good fit. Andy also serves as a relationship coordinator, helping to ensure that Grok’s clients are experiencing every success possible in their engagements with us. Andy arrived at Grok with over two decades of experience in UK higher education, international student recruitment, and marketing, working for British universities in markets including North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and China.

When did you join Grok?
April 2025

Describe yourself in three words.
Open-minded, adaptable, ambitious.

What were you doing before working at Grok?
I arrived at Grok having spent 21 years working my way up through a variety of recruitment and marketing roles across several UK universities. Most recently, I served as Head of International Recruitment at the University for the Creative Arts. Prior to that, I held positions at Queen Mary University of London, Imperial College London, City St George’s, the University of Roehampton, and the Royal Veterinary College. I’ve had the privilege throughout my career to work with a range of colleagues and stakeholders from incredibly diverse cultural backgrounds, and visit places I never would have otherwise.

What was your first job in education?
Widening Participation Officer at the Royal Veterinary College in London. The role involved promoting the value of higher education to underrepresented and disadvantaged young people in the UK. It was a very formative one that confirmed for me that working in education was what I truly wanted to do, and I haven’t looked back since.

What does international education mean for you?
Equality, access, and broadening horizons. It fosters empathy, tolerance, and global understanding, which are values that have deeply shaped me throughout my own career.

What is one of the most satisfying outcomes you’ve helped a client to achieve?
There have been many over the years, but the ones that stay with me are where a student connection started almost by chance, and led to them realising their potential. Watching those individuals go on to become leaders in their fields is endlessly rewarding and a constant reminder of why this work matters.

What is your favourite book?
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel.

What is your dream travel destination? Why?
It’s a toss-up between India, Vietnam and Thailand – for the richness of culture, amazing sights and experiences, lovely people and incredible food!

What is your favourite food to eat with friends?
Indian – which is pretty much the UK’s national dish!

What is a something you’ve learned from somebody inspirational?
The most inspiring leaders I’ve encountered have one thing in common: they make time for people, regardless of role or rank. They truly listen, value different perspectives, and nurture others to grow. It’s a style I try to emulate every day.

What was your favourite subject at high school or university?
History, hands down. If you’re ever up for a deep dive into the English late medieval period and/or Joseph Stalin, drop me a line!

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