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Meet the team

CampusConnect was started by Declan Sweeney and Daniel Hinkley after several years working in further and higher education, where they saw students arriving unprepared. The team works from ManorHUB in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, with universities and business schools across the UK and Ireland.

The CampusConnect team holding up a large CampusConnect logo sign

Why we started CampusConnect

We started CampusConnect after spending several years working in further and higher education. We saw students arriving unprepared for what lay ahead, having to deal with the challenges rather than enjoying the opportunities in their new surroundings. We set out to use technology to help college and university students make the most of their experience and the community around them.

Our team has a variety of backgrounds and years of experience between us. We are united by our motivation to help our student communities thrive and expand. Whether it’s building relationships with new partners, analysing engagement data or tweaking the apps, our work joins up to give universities and students an excellent service through the power of peer networks.

The team

  • Declan Sweeney

    Declan Sweeney

    Co-Founder and Director

    Declan brings ideas to life, whether that’s building houses or building conversion strategies. He’s passionate about creating tools that genuinely support applicants, and always up for a chat about how to make that happen.

    Email Declan
  • Daniel Hinkley

    Daniel Hinkley

    Co-Founder and Director

    Dan is a first-generation university graduate based in Cumbria. He works with universities and business schools to set up and uncover insights from their applicant communities, and to build strategies that improve engagement, conversion and long-term success.

    Email Daniel
  • Cathal McArdle

    Cathal McArdle

    Head of Product

    Cathal’s expertise lies in UI and UX. He keeps the CampusConnect platform sharp, intuitive and constantly evolving. From small tweaks to big new features, he’s always thinking about how to make things better for those using it.

  • Adele Davey

    Adele Davey

    Head of Community

    Adele works closely with our partners to develop and grow their communities. She takes pride in her work and always looks for new ways to ensure each community thrives. Her role is quite diverse and she wears different hats, which is fitting as she has a hat head rather than a sunglasses face.

  • James Seymour

    James Seymour

  • Jamie Bettles

    Jamie Bettles

    Strategic Advisor

    Jamie works with the team on strategy and partnership development. He chairs our Advisory Group, which is formed of senior leaders within admissions, marketing and recruitment at UK universities. He’s based in Manchester and is the founder of several education startups alongside his advisory roles.

  • Amy Duckworth

    Amy Duckworth

    Business School Success Manager

    Amy brings insider insight to the table: with years leading top business school admissions teams, she’s all about improving the candidate experience and helping schools convert the right applicants with confidence.

  • Lauren Valentine

    Lauren Valentine

    Content Creator

    Lauren leads on content across CampusConnect’s blogs and social channels. She loves hearing and sharing stories of community connection, and giving users a platform to share their experiences.

Sustainability

How our work lines up with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  • No Poverty (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2)

    Our community activation feeds into the local landscape. We have run a campaign to fundraise for the Homeless Association, and we are developing wellness-themed events and campaigns with local family resource centres and charities.

  • Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)

    Promoting equity, diversity and equality starts with our team, with balanced gender representation and fair decision making. Across our apps we create bespoke groups for students with protected characteristics to support inclusion and integration.

  • Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

    Our team practises responsible consumption and waste management at home and on campus, with clear initiatives to reduce waste and over-consumption, designated recycling bins and training on recycling, waste awareness and conscious consumption.

  • Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3)

    The health and wellbeing of our staff and student communities come first. We give students support, tools and information for the best possible campus living experience, and promote positive mental wellbeing through live sessions that bring the community together.

  • Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Clean Energy (SDG 7)

    Our office staff save electricity on site and at home. Our work needs no travelling, and those who use the office cycle or walk. Staff and visitors refill water bottles to cut single-use plastic.

  • Climate Action (SDG 13)

    We grow green talent among young people through green awareness campaigns, education programmes and green solutions. We are looking to avail of the SEAI Exceed grant for an environmental education plan and to train through SEAI e-learning with the Energy Academy.

  • Quality Education (SDG 4)

    We provide ambassador training that equips students with skills for education and employment, helping them develop personally and professionally.

  • Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

    Building on work placements and internships, we now focus on raising sustainability champions in wellbeing, environment and innovation, with programmes and events where students put practical knowledge to work.

  • Life Below Water (SDG 14)

    We make use of our location by the shore and regularly organise staff beach clean-ups, involving the local community and protecting coastal habitats.

  • Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

    We are building a network for collaboration among campuses and universities, nationally and internationally, to drive innovation and plan for a sustainable future.

Supported by

  • Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020, co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union
    Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020, co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union
  • European Union, European Regional Development Fund
    European Union, European Regional Development Fund
  • Enterprise Ireland
    Enterprise Ireland
  • Local Enterprise Office, Green for Micro
    Local Enterprise Office, Green for Micro

Awards

  • Finalist, National Enterprise Awards 2023
    Finalist, National Enterprise Awards 2023
  • Finalist, Digital innovation of the year: Technology, The PIEoneer Awards 2020
    Finalist, Digital innovation of the year: Technology, The PIEoneer Awards 2020

Questions

Where is CampusConnect based?

At Unit 5, ManorHUB Business Hub, Park Road, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, Ireland. Co-founder Daniel Hinkley is based in Cumbria.

Who founded CampusConnect?

Declan Sweeney and Daniel Hinkley, the co-founders and directors.