NLCS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Quality Assurance & Social

Jade has a background in marketing and graphic design, and has worked previously in this field both as a freelancer and through contract work. In her role as Quality Assurance and Social Media Administrator, Jade is responsible for supporting the arrangements for quality assurance visits to our international schools as well as maintaining and growing our social media presence.

Job Titles:

• Director of Business Development

Ali has over 20 years of international development experience, with expert knowledge in international franchising. He is highly experienced in executing business development strategy in multiple countries across a wide range of industries (both in FTSE 100 companies and small entrepreneurial start-ups). During his career, Ali worked for Mothercare Plc, easyGroup Ltd, Carphone Warehouse Plc, WHSmith Plc and Regus Plc. In these roles, Ali delivered business solutions in over 30 markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East including the UK, Germany France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Norway, China, India, the UAE, Oman and Jordan. He has a strong track record of developing franchises and alternative channels, delivering commercial, financial and organisational objectives in complex multi-country matrix environment. Ali also has an MBA degree from the University of Cambridge. In his role as Director of Business Development, Ali works with potential partner to identify opportunities to work together. This includes opening new international schools and structuring consultancy projects.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer

Ian joined North London Collegiate School (NLCS) UK as its Chief Operating Officer in 2015 after a PGCE course at Oxford University.  Ian was accountable for finance, operations and compliance at NLCS (UK), and in addition the School's overseas franchises and partnerships. Since October 2023, Ian has been the CEO of NLCS International accountable for expanding the school's international franchising business. Ian has over 30 years' experience in the aviation and aerospace sectors working for Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, HAECO, the Swire Group and Rolls-Royce Plc.  Prior to joining Rolls-Royce in Derby, Ian spent 23 years living overseas in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and the USA.  Ian has extensive experience in joint ventures. He has held senior leadership roles in a wide variety of disciplines including business development, international affairs, personnel, marketing and sales, country management, and manufacturing and service operations.  Ian has a degree in geography from Oxford University. He is a keen skier, bicyclist, tennis player and ornithologist, and is also a qualified rowing coach.

Job Titles:

• Director of Educational Quality
• Member of the Academic Staff

Michael joined NLCS (UK) in 1997 and has three decades of educational experience in boarding and day schools across the maintained and independent sectors. This includes Sibford School, Oxfordshire, and Newcastle Church High School (now Newcastle High School for Girls). He holds a first-class BA from the University of Newcastle and an MA with distinction from the University of Durham. During his time as a member of the academic staff at NLCS, Michael held several academic positions, most significant serving as Director of Studies at the UK school until 2023. He joined the school's senior leadership team in 2006, where he led several major educational projects; including the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma curriculum at NLCS (UK). Michael has been closely involved in the decisions to open each NLCS school overseas, as well as playing a critical role in their establishment. In his current role as Director of Educational Quality for NLCS International, Michael leads on the educational inspection and monitoring of the overseas NLCS schools, a key area of our approach that he has overseen for more than a decade; this is a collaborative process with the schools to ensure that they meet NLCS's high educational standards.

Job Titles:

• International Projects Administrator

Harshita holds an LLB(Hons) from the University of Hertfordshire with previous experience as a paralegal specialising in property and family law. In her role as the International Projects Administrator, Harshita manages and coordinates various components of international projects. Her key responsibilities involve ensuring seamless project planning, execution, and monitoring. Additionally, Harshita is responsible for financial record-keeping, brand management, market research, and delivering commercial support to the Executive Team.

Job Titles:

• International Recruitment Coordinator
• Recruitment Team Leader

Lucy has over 20 years of experience in recruitment and human resources. During her career, Lucy has been a recruitment team leader and helped to set-up an educational recruitment agency. As part of this, Lucy has recruited for both teaching and support staff, mainly in the UK independent school sector. For teaching staff, this has included senior leadership appointments in highly academic independent schools. Lucy holds an Associate level qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. In her role as International Recruitment Coordinator, Lucy works closely with the international schools in the NLCS Group to ensure that recruitment processes are consistent and to the highest standard. Lucy also plans the training sessions which take place for all new staff.

Job Titles:

• Director of Education Strategy

Gwen has over 20 years of experience in education, in boarding and day schools, single sex and co-educational schools, and maintained and independent schools. During her career, Gwen has led teams and held senior leadership positions at some of the UK's most prestigious schools. This includes Roedeon School, where she was Senior Housemistress, Cheltenham Ladies College, where she held the roles of Vice Principal and Acting Principal, and Loughborough Endowed Schools, where she was a Head Teacher. She has also been involved with the Girl's School Association throughout her career, holding the position of President in 2018, and writes regularly on educational matters for the Times Education Supplement and other publications. Gwen holds a first-class BSc from the University of Manchester, a PGCE from Goldsmith's College, University of London and an MA in Education. She has also carried out postgraduate research into independent schools as drivers of social mobility. In her role as Director of Education Strategy, Gwen ensures that the vision of the NLCS Group is realised and that the same high standards for education are held within all schools that hold the NLCS name.