Mark Leppard MBE
Chair (Including Safeguarding)
Headmaster, The British School Al Khubairat, UAE

Mark Leppard MBE is the Headmaster of The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK), the Embassy School of the UAE, and has held this role since 2015. Before joining BSAK he was the Principal of Doha College, Qatar for 9 years and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for services to education. His passion and focus is on team building, in terms of motivation, personnel and structure, ensuring that the students benefit from these developments. He has a lifelong passion for learning, and ensures that the student is at the heart of all decisions that are made. Holistic education is fundamental to Mark's philosophy and he believes that learning should not be restricted just to the formal classroom.

Helen Olds
Vice Chair (Including Accreditation)
Principal, British International School Riyadh, KSA

Helen is currently Director of the British International School Jeddah and has 21 years of leadership experience in international schools in Asia and the Middle East. She has experience with ages 3-18, start-up schools, and established international schools. She has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and with various curricula, including the English National Curriculum, (I) GCSEs, BTECs, A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. Helen is passionate about high-quality learning, enrichment and wellbeing experiences, along with collaboration in international education with organisations such as BSME, HMC, AoBSO, COBIS and CIS.

John Smith
Honorary Treasurer
Principal, Park House English School, Qatar

John is an experienced international school leader and Honorary Treasurer of BSME. As Principal of Park House English School in Qatar, he has led significant growth, major capital investment projects, and successful accreditation outcomes with CIS, BSO, COBIS, and QNSA. John brings extensive expertise in financial governance, strategic leadership, and school improvement. As an experienced CIS Accreditation Chair, he is committed to supporting excellence across the BSME network. John also serves on the Qatar British Business Forum Committee, promoting collaboration between education and industry.

Deane Baker
Country Representatives
Principal, Qatar International School, Qatar

Deane first came to the region in 2013, having previously been a principal in the West Midlands. He has been Executive Principal of Qatar International School for 12 years and CEO of the education company, Education Unlimited for six years, supporting schools and businesses across the region. Having served on the BSME Executive Committee since 2019, he has predominantly been responsible for reviewing and overseeing the role of Country Representatives, advocating for their importance in school collaboration, wellbeing and local lobbying for our curriculum. Deane also consults for the Qatari Government and is currently pursuing an MBA at Cardiff University.

Matthew Burfield
Digital Marketing
Principal/CEO, GEMS Founders School, UAE

Matthew began his career teaching History and Citizenship in a Secondary School in South London 22 years ago. He was the founding Principal/CEO of the most successful school opening in GEMS Education history, GEMS Founders School, Dubai in September 2016. Matthew’s role expanded when he was appointed as Vice President – Education in January 2021 to lead 7 schools across the UAE. In January 2023 he was promoted to Senior Vice President – Education leading 8 schools and caring for over 23,000 children. He is also a fully trained Lead Inspector for BSO inspections working with schools across the world and works with COBIS as a Lead Improvement Partner. Additionally, he represents BSME schools as a member of the Executive Committee and has recently been co-opted onto the AoBSO Board. It is important to him that children at GFS are mindful and happy learners who love coming to school every day.

Craig Halsall
School Membership
Principal, Reach British School, UAE

Craig holds a BA Honours degree in Economics, QTS, Masters in Educational Leadership and Management and NPQH. Craig gained significant senior leadership experience in the UK and overseas including leading schools in Asia, the USA and the Middle East. Craig is a lead BSO inspector and NPQH facilitator.

Craig has always enjoyed working in the community having previously been a Magistrate, parent governor and FA qualified football coach. He is currently a member of the education advisory board for United World Schools, a global charity offering education opportunities to children in rural Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Madagascar. Away from work and, as a keen sports follower, Craig founded and chaired two sports leagues in Asia and the USA, is an avid fan of Liverpool FC and otherwise enjoys walking, and cycling!

Alison Peterson
Partner Membership
Headteacher, The English School, Kuwait 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Alison is Headteacher at The English School, Kuwait, and serves on the BSME Executive Committee. She is also a member of IAPS, COBIS, AoBSO, an ISI inspector, and a UAE School Advisory Board member. With over 25 years of leadership across all age ranges and deep regional experience, Alison is passionate about international education. Raised in the Middle East, she values inclusion, collaboration, and community. She is dedicated to building positive environments for staff and students and champions the BSME ethos of “by the members, for the members,” believing strongly in the power of working together for collective success.

Giles Pruett
Student Events
Executive Principal, Arcadia School, UAE

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Giles Pruett currently leads two FS to Year 13 schools as Executive Principal in the Arcadia Education Group in Dubai. With two decades of senior leadership experience, including 14 in the UAE, he is committed to developing education programmes which capture a broad group of learning experiences, culminating in high-quality outcomes for pupils as they exit their programmes. A former professional tennis player, he understands the impact that a holistic education has on children's growth and development and is committed to nurturing lifelong learning, coupling academic excellence with experiential opportunities in STEM, Sport, Performing Arts and the digital landscape. Giles has represented the BSME Executive Team for three years as an Event Liaison, with a particular focus on the BSME games and competition spheres. Hailing from Bath, in England, he is married with three girls who all attend Arcadia British School.

Jane Knight
Professional Learning
Principal, GEMS The British School in Egypt

Jane Knight is Principal of GEMS The British School in Egypt, leading the school’s strategic improvement journey with a focus on excellence in teaching, learning, and student outcomes. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in international education in the UAE and Kazakhstan and is committed to ensuring high standards through data-informed practice, curriculum innovation, and rigorous self-evaluation. Jane prioritises student wellbeing, behaviour for learning, and the development of inclusive and aspirational school cultures. She has successfully embedded digital innovation and active learning approaches while aligning provision with Ministry of Education regulations and international inspection frameworks. Her leadership reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and global best practice.