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Governance |
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The late E J Poularas
Co-Founder of ACS International Schools
As we celebrated our 40th anniversary across the organisation in year in 2007/8, we also came to terms with the unexpected death of our co-Founder, Mr. E J 'Manos' Poularas.
His legacy is the exceptional family of ACS International Schools we have today; schools which began life as one division with 100 students back in 1967, growing to three campuses and over 2,600 students in 2008. Manos grew to realise ACS would be his life's work. To that end he achieved his vision. The ACS he leaves is a genuinely inclusive community with a global footprint, where innovative teaching and learning can thrive within world-class facilities.
Manos Poularas was born in 1943 into a Greek-Armenian family living in Port Said, Egypt. His birthplace may have offered a portent into his eventual career in international education as Port Said, at the time, was one of the great cultural and trading crossroads of the world. The young Manos grew up in an expatriate society, surrounded by diverse cultures and communities. A true global-citizen, he spoke five languages and from an early age made friendships across linguistic, cultural and religious divides.
In 1962 Manos came to the City of London and quickly progressed in the maritime world, which was based in the capital. He continued to play an active role in Greek culture, launching the first Greek branch of the Scouting Movement in London, and broadcasting to the Hellenophone world via the Central Office of Information radio service during the 1960's.
In 1967 he co-founded ACS with Gordon Speed, opening the first school at Netherhall Gardens in Hampstead, London. At the time, both founders were actively involved with every aspect of school life, from painting classrooms and cleaning, to registering admissions and leading field trips.
During the late 1960's and throughout the 1970's ACS opened schools in north, central and southwest London. These smaller schools were later consolidated into larger premises at Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon, which allowed them to develop their vision for excellence in all aspects of school life.
Manos lived his professional life with integrity and is remembered for his honesty by colleagues and personal associates. He was a private man, but was known for his sense of humour and gregariousness. Throughout his life he took responsibility for the well being of those around him. His friends and colleagues will doubtless recall his generosity and willingness to help others.
He was a deep and thoughtful man who wore his responsibility with quiet pride, never faltering in his desire to safeguard the future of his schools. He referred to ACS as his family, and often looked back with fondness to the days when he knew the name of every member of staff and student. Yet he was equally pleased to see ACS expand into a world leader in international education.
Those who knew him personally will remember his ready smile, his relentless attention to detail, his genuine passion for life, and his loyalty to friends and staff alike.
At ACS we all recognise his commitment to the long-term success of the family of schools he created; a thriving legacy that lives on in the dedication of our colleagues, the magnificent grounds and facilities at each campus, and the strong academic tradition of our faculty and students.
Manos Poularas will be greatly missed. He was an exceptional man. His life's work is celebrated daily as ACS continues to flourish, grow and educate subsequent generations of children from around the world.
In honour of Mr. E J Poularas' legacy, ACS will be inaugurating the Founder's Awards during the 2008/9 academic year.
The Board of Directors
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David Thomas – Chairman of the Board since 2008
David Thomas was educated in the UK, Europe and North America and gained a BA (Hons) in Western European Politics and Languages. He developed his career in a series of Business Development roles in leading multinational companies in the London area. He joined ACS International Schools in 1999 as Executive Assistant to the Chairman and has been involved with all aspects of managing Board administration and governance at ACS. He has extensive experience of HR practices in ACS, including the recruitment of new Board members and other senior appointments. He became a member of the Board in May 2008 and has led the Board in formulating an ongoing self-evaluation programme. He was appointed Chairman of the Board in November 2008 and will lead the Board in their strategic work towards the realisation of the ACS Vision. |
ACS International Schools is guided by a Board of independent,
non-executive directors, with a wealth of international and UK
experience in a wide range of areas including education, finance,
and law. The Board supports the
development and day-to-day operations of the schools. |
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Ram Gossain – Director since
2000
Ram Gossain began his working life as a member of the
Indian Diplomatic Service. Through his foreign postings,
which included China, he forged a truly global perspective
that has subsequently helped establish the ACS ethos. Mr.
Gossain joined ACS in 1973, working in a number of senior
roles within the Finance Department, culminating in heading
up the department for 17 years. He has contributed
significantly to the organisation’s outstanding growth
and now, after retirement, his knowledge and experience
continues to help ACS maintain its financial stability. |
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Brian Murphy – Director since
1992
Brian Murphy was a partner of Farrer & Co, a leading
law firm with a long working association with ACS. On retirement
he was duly appointed UK Ombudsman for the Building Societies
industry, a position he held until 1999. In addition to
his role with ACS, Mr. Murphy served as a Chairman of one
of the London Employment Tribunals. Mr. Murphy’s portfolio
of strengths brings particular expertise to ACS recruitment
strategies and HR practices. |
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Jill Rutherford – Director since
2005
Dr. Jill Rutherford is a leading International Baccalaureate
(IB) expert, with over 25 years teaching experience within
international and UK schools. Dr. Rutherford holds two
degrees from Oxford University and was the first
Director of the IB Diploma at Oakham School, England
(2000-2005). Previous positions have included Vice-Chair
of the IBO Examining Board, and the IB Environmental Systems
Chief Examiner. As a pre-eminent educationalist, Dr.
Rutherford’s expertise and experience will help support
ACS’s continued growth and development in educational
excellence. |
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Kathy Harvey
Kathy was born in Arizona and has lived and worked in England since 1994. She has Masters Degrees in Higher Education Administration (Michigan State) and Human Resources Economics (Utah). Kathy is currently a Consultant to Duke Corporate Education. From 2004-2008, she was Chief Operating Officer for their London office. Prior to this, Kathy was Chief Administration Officer at Nomura International London and previously held senior roles in Goldman Sachs and Bankers Trust. Kathy has extensive experience in HR, finance and strategy formulation. |
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Janet Magee
Janet has been a member of our community since joining ACS as Managing Director in 2004. Janet led ACS successfully through a period of change and transformation, increasing investment in student learning, our people and facilities and growing enrolment to record levels. Janet's direct knowledge of ACS, together with her varied career expertise will be an asset to the Board. Janet has an Honours degree in Business Studies and an MBA from Nottingham Business School. An in depth knowledge and understanding of our schools and of our operating environment ensure Janet is well equipped to contribute to the work of our Board. |
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Piers White MBE
Piers has an Honours degree in Economics and Statistics from Exeter University, and an MBA from Henley Management College. He is an experienced Non Executive Director with extensive board and business experience. Since 2001 Piers has served as a Non Executive Director of the Ordnance Survey, and was recently awarded an MBE for his service. Most recently, he held the post of Chief Executive Officer of Insinger de Beaufort. Piers is a Non Executive Director of CIPFA Business Ltd, Croydon Economic Development Company, and is also a school governor. He has extensive experience of strategy formulation, governance and risk management. |
The Management Committee
The responsibility of developing and implementing the organisation's
strategy, learning goals, and day-to-day management is undertaken
by the Management Committee, led by the Managing Director:
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Charlie Freer – Managing Director
Charlie Freer joined ACS International Schools as Managing Director in 2009, bringing with him a strong blend of educational and commercial experience in Development, Finance, Marketing, Operations and General Management. His previous roles have included CFO for the World Class Learning Group of schools in the US and Qatar, Vice President for Business Development at Cable & Wireless in the US, and Marketing Manager for Cable & Wireless in the UK. He has lived in the US and Africa and has seen the benefits an international community can bring to the many challenges facing families who live and work away from home. Charlie’s primary role at ACS is to lead the Management Committee in its stewardship of the organisation, and to develop and drive the continued success and growth of the schools through the realisation of a comprehensive Strategic Plan. Charlie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics and Accounting from Southampton University and qualified as an ACA with Ernst & Young. |
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Clive Abbott – Chief Accountant
After graduating from Lancaster University, Clive Abbott qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. After an 18-month secondment to an Enterprise Agency, and 5 years working on mergers and acquisitions with Ernst & Young’s Corporate Finance department, he joined ACS in 1993. Clive was appointed Chief Accountant in 2002 following Mr Gossains move to the ACS Board of Directors. Supported by a highly experienced and dedicated team, Clive controls the overall financial administration of the organisation and the three schools. This expansive role includes the planning and streaming of funding for new capital projects and refurbishments, as well as the day-to-day operational financial management of ACS. |
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Malcolm J Kay – Superintendent
Malcolm Kay is the Superintendent of ACS International
Schools, a position he has held since 1995. He is responsible
for driving the educational programmes and their co-ordination
and alignment across the three schools. Malcolm has 29
years experience in international education as both an
IB teacher and in a variety of senior administrator positions.
Malcolm joined ACS in 1983 from the International School
of Geneva, a founding International Baccalaureate school.
Malcolm completed his graduate and postgraduate study at
Nottingham University and has since studied at Bath University/Centre
for Education in the International Context, and Harvard
Graduate School of Education. He is a regular co-chair
of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
visiting accreditation teams and also works with the IBO
in authorising UK schools. |
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Fergus Rose – Head of Marketing & Communications
Fergus Rose joined ACS as Head of Marketing in 2004 and led an initiative to provide ACS with
a new identity to reflect its dynamic international mix,
enhance its position as the leading international school
in Europe, and establish a platform for growth. Fergus has over 15 years experience
in blue-chip organisations in a number of senior Marketing
and Business Development roles in both the service and
manufacturing sectors. He is passionate about lifelong learning and
providing young people with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century global economy.
Fergus is a regular contributor to the media, where his views are widely published.
Fergus graduated from the University of London, is a member of the Marketing Society and a tutor
at the Leadership Trust. |
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Karen Todd – Head of Human
Resources
Karen brings over 20 years of Training & Development and
Human Resources experience to ACS, which she joined in
2004. She
has worked predominantly for leading High Street Retailers
and international Theme Parks, including The Tussauds Group
and Disney (both in the USA and France). Karen was a member
of the Disneyland Paris launch team that recruited and
trained over 8,000 new staff from over 75 nationalities.
As part of the Tussauds Group, Karen was a Senior Manager
responsible for HR sites supporting over 2,000 employees. Karen is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and her focus over the last few
years has been on development, change management, and implementing
professional HR processes. Karen and her HR team manage the
employee relations, recruitment and training of our people. |
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Jeff Watson – Head of Property
Jeff Watson joined ACS in 2004 with over 20 years experience in estates management, both in the private and public sectors. Jeff also brings specific educational expertise from his work in senior management positions at The University of Bath and Wiltshire College. Trained as a building surveyor, Jeff has managed significant projects in his career including a £26M Sports Institute. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Surveying, and a Master’s
Degree in Construction Management, Jeff is also a member
of the British Institute of Facilities Management. |
The Heads of School
The Head of Schools establish the character, style, and educational ethos of their campus. Working with the Superintendent, a comprehensive administration structure that includes divisional Principals, Department Heads, and parents, ensures each school promotes
a student-centred philosophy that encourages lifelong learning.
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Tom Lehman – Head of School, ACS Cobham
Tom Lehman joined ACS Cobham in 1987 and served first as a teacher, and then Lower School Principal before assuming the role of Head of School in 1992. Tom's previous educational experience includes 13 years of teaching in his native New York State, involving specific work in the field of gifted education. He holds degrees in philosophy (Thiel College) and in education (Syracuse University), and has pursued advanced study in educational policy at the Institute of Education at the University of London. He has served several international education organisations in a variety of roles. Tom's leadership of the strong educational team at ACS Cobham highlights his commitment to best learning practices and to the extraordinary benefits that an international education can bring to all learners. |
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Peter Hosier - Acting Head of School, ACS Egham
Peter Hosier was educated in the UK and has worked within the British, American and International education systems in Asia and the UK. He has 18 years of experience as an international educator. Before joining ACS he had leadership roles at the International School Singapore, including Head of the Middle School, IBMYP Coordinator and Dean of Students, as well as being a school evaluator and workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate. Peter has been Middle School Principal at ACS Egham since 2006, and is known as a strong student advocate, and fundamentally believes in the ability of every child to succeed. Along with a dynamic team of administrators, teachers and staff, he promotes high standards of scholarship and creates an ethos that facilitates the development of global citizens with a love of learning. |
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Ginger G Apple – Head of School, ACS Hillingdon
Ginger G Apple received her Bachelor’s Degree from
Miami University of Ohio in Education, and her Master’s
in Education from Trenton State University. Ginger has completed
post graduate hours in Educational Psychology from Miami
University, and all Doctoral course work in Educational Research
from Oxford Brookes University. Ginger joined ACS in 2002,
with four years of experience in Europe, eight years in Africa,
and
14 years in South America, working at various international
schools. Ginger has previously held positions as Lower,
Middle, and High School Principal, Head of School, and the
Director of the Optimal Learning
Centre. With her broad range of administrative experience
in international schools, Ginger brings to ACS a rich
package of expertise in global education. Ginger recently introduced the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) to grades 6 through 10, and since Spetember 2007, ACS Hillingdon has been officially recognised as a candidate IBMYP school. |
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