In this feature, we sit down with Dr Leo Evans, CEO and co-founder of The Profs, to explore the journey behind one of the UK’s leading tutoring companies and the vision that continues to shape its growth.
Since founding The Profs in 2014, Leo has led the company’s expansion from a small startup into a multi award-winning tutoring provider with a global presence. Along the way, his EdTech innovations have helped over 50,000 students improve their grades and get into top universities, such as The LSE, Imperial, Oxford and Cambridge.
In this interview, Dr Evans reflects on his own educational path, explains what makes The Profs different from other tutoring providers, and shares why he believes tutoring remains one of the most powerful investments families can make in their child’s future.
1. Tell me about your background and why you founded The Profs?
The two are inextricably linked, I wouldn’t be where I am today without tutoring.
At 13, I was tutored for and received an academic scholarship to Bryanston School in Dorset. This set off an educational journey through a Physics undergraduate, and then a Masters and PhD in Finance at Imperial, followed by a role as a Vice President on the trading floor at JP Morgan in London.
So in many ways the return on investment on that early tutoring has been orders of magnitude – academically, professionally and financially – and that realisation of the life‑changing value of mentoring to get into top schools, getting good grades, and then getting top jobs is the reason I founded The Profs.
2. How would you describe The Profs in one word?
Transformational.
3. How does The Profs differ from other tutoring providers?
Three things:
1) How selective we are in hiring tutors;
2) How carefully we match students with tutors;
3) How seriously we track student outcomes.
So only 3% of tutors who apply to work with The Profs make it onto our network, and they typically have elite postgraduate qualifications and at least 10 years of experience.
We then match students with them not just on academic subject expertise, but also on learning style, goals and personality fit.
And finally, we track grades, offers and feedback relentlessly so we can show that the tutoring is actually working, not just happening.
4. What are The Profs’ success rates for grades?
Every year, we put out a client feedback survey around results day, and according to several hundred responses in 2025, over 90% of all of the students that we worked with reported that they got what they came for, whether that was a grade increase or specific university offers.
What is interesting to me is that it is consistently after about 20 hours of tutoring that we start to see significant impacts in terms of grade improvements, so stick with it! It works!
5. As a parent, why should I consider The Profs as my first‑choice tuition provider?
Because we get results.
With us, you’ll get highly qualified tutors, robust safeguarding, and a track record of grade improvements and top‑tier university offers. We offer a service that is head and shoulders above industry standards.
If the student is willing to put the work in, we provide the structure, expertise and accountability necessary to be a high achiever.
6. What safety measures are in place to protect students?
Every tutor is personally interviewed, must provide two professional references, and undergoes thorough criminal background checks, alongside KYC identity and address verification via our payment provider. We then keep all teaching on our platform, where lessons are recorded and automatically scanned, with AI checks and blocks for any not‑safe‑for‑work content.
We have created the safest environment, for both students and tutors, that is humanly and technologically possible.
7. Would you recommend The Profs to other students and parents, and if so, why?
I constantly do, many of my friends and colleagues’ children have worked with our tutors, including investors in our companies, our staff, and some of my closest friends and family members. Tutoring works!
8. With premium pricing, will we make our money back through tutoring outcomes?
If you look at it as an investment, the return on tutoring is very attractive.
Better grades and studying at better universities are highly correlated with higher earnings and better professional options over your lifetime, and our data show materially higher success rates on both.
The difference between studying at a Top 20 university alone is worth about half a million in extra lifetime earnings according to government data, so how valuable is a place at Oxbridge, or even an A* at A level maths? Hundreds of thousands for a few thousand spent on tutoring potentially? Look at my story as an example.
For a motivated student, the pay‑off typically dwarfs the upfront cost.
9. Share your most memorable experiences working with The Profs
The memorable moments at The Profs have been when the wider world has recognised what our team, tutors and students are achieving, and being able to celebrate with my team external validation of all the hard work and sacrifices you have to make in business to make it.
At the national level, winning the King’s Award for Enterprise was a standout moment – that’s the highest business honour in the UK, and as far as I am aware we are the first ever tutoring company to win it.
Within the education sector, winning both ‘Best Tutoring Company’ and ‘Ed Tech Provider of the Year’ at the Education Investor Awards confirmed that we weren’t just good tutors, but genuinely moving the sector forward through innovation.
And inside our own industry, being voted ‘Private Tutoring Provider of the Year’ at the National Tutoring Awards was incredibly special.
10. In a world of AI, does traditional tutoring still have a place?
AI is a fantastic force‑multiplier for a good tutor, and we actively encourage tutors to use AI tools for practice questions and model explanations.
But the real value of a great tutor is still fundamentally human: diagnosing why a student is stuck, managing motivation and holding them accountable.
Computers can’t build the kind of trust and connection that keeps a 15‑year‑old engaged when things get hard.
End of Interview
That concludes our conversation with Dr Leo Evans. Below, we expand on these insights with practical guidance for families considering private tuition.
When To Consider Working With A Professional Online Tutor
Many families wait until a problem becomes urgent before seeking help. In practice, private tuition is often most effective when introduced earlier, before academic challenges escalate. A proactive approach allows students to build confidence, strengthen understanding, and stay on track with their long-term academic goals.
Students may benefit from support when they begin to lose confidence, struggle to keep up with coursework, or face increased academic pressure. Equally, high-performing school-aged students and university students often work with a professional tutor to maintain strong results and stay competitive in demanding academic environments such as A-level study or undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Recognising these moments early can make a meaningful difference, particularly when students are preparing for major educational milestones.
Common signs that a student may benefit from tutoring include:
- Falling grades or declining confidence, particularly during GCSE or A-levels.
- Difficulty understanding new topics despite regular classroom teaching.
- Increased stress around exams, coursework, or university-level assessments.
- Limited time for independent revision due to busy academic schedules.
- Preparing for important academic transitions, such as moving to sixth form or starting university.
- Considering additional academic support through a trusted tutoring service or tutoring platform.
Book A Consultation With The Profs Today
If you are considering private tuition for your child or yourself, the first step is simple: book a consultation with our team.
During this initial conversation, we take the time to understand each student’s goals, academic history, and challenges. From there, we recommend a carefully matched tutor online who can provide targeted support and ongoing guidance.
Whether the goal is improving grades, preparing for exams, or gaining admission to competitive universities, The Profs connects students with the expertise and mentorship needed to succeed.
When you book a consultation, you can expect:
- A personalised discussion about academic goals.
- Expert advice from an experienced consultancy team.
- A tailored recommendation for the right tutor.
- Transparent information about tutor rates and timelines.
- A clear plan for achieving measurable academic progress.
Ready to get started? Join the thousands of families who trust The Profs to deliver high-quality private tuition and results. Our Client Success Team will personally connect you with one of our GCSE Tutors, A-Level Tutors, University Tutors, or University Admissions Tutors.
