For every Schools' Fair we're thrilled to be able to present a plethora of varied speakers covering a vast array of subjects which are continually relevant and pertinent to our Relocate Global community.

 

Read bios of our speakers below, with links to their webinar pages.

Webinar: The Arbor School: How a Dubai School became the World's Best for Environmental Action

Gemma Thornley, Principal, The Arbor School, Dubai 

Gemma Thornley is the Principal of Arbor School Dubai, the 2025 World’s Best School for Environmental Action. With more than 20 years of educational leadership experience in the UAE and UK, Gemma is known for championing sustainable, values-led education that empowers young people to become changemakers. An MSc graduate in Educational Leadership and Fellow of the Chartered College of teaching, she is currently completing her PhD on global teacher recruitment and retention. At Arbor, Gemma leads with purpose - integrating ecoliteracy, creativity and ethical leadership to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Webinar: Charterhouse Lagos: A global education rooted in Nigeria

John Todd, Director of Education, Charterhouse Lagos, Nigeria

John is a seasoned educational leader whose career has spanned continents and cultures, bringing rich international experience to his role as Director of Education at Charterhouse Lagos.

Born and educated in the UK, John studied Natural Sciences at University College, Durham, before earning a Master’s in Education from the UK’s Open University, a Master’s in Organisational Leadership, and an MBA from the United States. Beginning his career as a primary school teacher in the UK, he quickly discovered a passion for nurturing global learning communities, leading him to international education.

John has been part of the Charterhouse Lagos project since its inception, playing a key role in planning, building, procurement, and staff recruitment. His involvement has ensured that the school’s foundation reflects the highest standards of excellence and aligns with its vision for outstanding education.

Webinar: How UWCSEA's K-12 AI Approach Prepares Students for the Future

Angela Newby, Head of Digital Learning at UWCSEA’s East Campus, Singapore

Angela Newby, Head of Digital Learning at UWCSEA East, has over 20 years’ experience as a technology educator and leader in international schools across Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Cairo. As Chair of the e-Safety Committee, she works closely with parents and staff to promote digital wellbeing and responsible tech use.

Tim Lovatt, Head of Digital Learning at UWCSEA’s Dover Campus, Singapore

Tim Lovatt, Head of Digital Learning at UWCSEA Dover, is an international keynote speaker, podcaster, and author with 18 years’ experience transforming classrooms and organisations across Europe and Asia. He is passionate about empowering educators and students to use technology as a force for good.

Webinar: In Conversation with Ingrid Pope - Creating Space to Think, Work and Live

Ingrid Pope, Founder, Creating Space Coaching

Ingrid Pope is an executive coach, speaker, and author passionate about helping people clear away the physical and mental clutter that blocks their potential. Through her company, Creating Space Coaching, Ingrid empowers individuals and organisations to simplify, refocus, and thrive. Her book Uncluttered expands on this mission, offering practical tools to create space to think, work, and live with intention.

Webinar: AI as a tool for students and our future leaders

Travis Copus, Middle School Principal of Oasis International School, Malaysia

In 2025, Travis Copers presented an AI in the social studies classroom at the future of learning conference and on AI as a thought partner in a webinar to teachers from the NICS Oasis network. He's been teaching for 21 years both in the United States and Malaysia. He's a social studies teacher and enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction.

Webinar: Bedrock Principles of Transitions Care for Schools: the challenges of mobility today

Douglas W Ota, Founder and Advisor of Sage Passage Across Networks (SPAN)

Doug Ota is a researcher, author, psychologist, and presenter specialising in how transitions affect people. He is the author of Safe Passage: How Mobility Affects People and What International Schools Should Do About It and the founder of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN; www.spanschools.org), an international non-profit supporting transitions in educational settings.

Doug’s work has led to transitions-related standards becoming adopted into CIS accreditation standards for its schools worldwide.

He majored in religion at Princeton, became a clinical child psychologist at the University of Leiden (cum laude), and recently earned a PhD in developmental psychology under Marinus van IJzendoorn at Erasmus University.
Now a licensed psychologist, Doug maintains a private practice in The Hague, Netherlands. SPAN is the embodiment of his professional life's work. For fun, he runs marathons.

Webinar: Nurturing global excellence - ISL's multilingual model and culture of care

Claudine Hakim, Head of Community Engagement, Student Support & Transitions Care, International School of London (ISL)

Claudine Hakim is the Head of Community Engagement and Student Services at the International School of London (ISL) and leads the school’s multi-award-winning ISL Crossroads Transitions Care Programme. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Managementfrom UCL’s Institute of Education and a BA in Psychology and Counsellingfrom Richmond International University. Having lived across three continents, Claudine is passionate about fostering inclusive international communities and promoting transitions careand attachment securityin education. She is a member of the ECIS Admissions Committeeand Chair of the Board of Trustees at Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN).

Zack Ekert, Head of Multilingualism, International School of London (ISL)

Zack leads the Multilingualism programme at ISL London, where he has developed an integrated curriculum across all languages since 2023. He speaks five languages and teaches French and Spanish, with a passion for linguistic diversity and intercultural learning.

Timea Virag, School Counsellor International School of London (ISL)

Timea Virag (MBACP)is the School Counsellor at ISL London with over 20 years of experience in international and multilingual schools across Switzerland, Hungary, and the UK. Now in her seventh year at ISL, she supports students across all age groups, fostering a strong sense of belonging and promoting social, emotional, and academic wellbeing throughout the school.

Webinar: A Home Away from Home: Boarding Life and Wellbeing at Marymount International School London

Paula Horton, Head of Boarding, Marymount International School London

A much-loved and integral part of Marymount’s community, Paula has been at the heart of Boarding life for 11 years. First as Deputy Head and, for the past five years, as Head of Boarding. Her warmth, compassion, and commitment make her one of the beating hearts of our community, ensuring every student feels at home away from home.Originally from Zimbabwe, where she was born and raised, Paula brings a rich background in business and education, having worked in management, administration, and teaching within the English as a Second Language sector before joining Marymount.In a full-circle moment, Paula is also a proud alumna of Marymount College in Mutare, Zimbabwe, a connection that makes her role in our global Marymount network all the more special.

Webinar: Beyond the Myths: International HR & Inclusive Leadership in the Middle East

Kelly Blackaby: Regional HR Director (Europe, Middle East & South Asia)

Kelly Blackaby is a senior HR executive with over 17 years’ experience leading strategic HR initiatives across multiple industries in the UK, GCC and Europe. She has deep expertise in global mobility, workforce transformation and international expansion, having supported joint ventures, M&A and talent strategy for high-growth organisations. A pioneering female leader in Saudi Arabia, Kelly brings sharp insight into regional labour markets, localization policies and cross-cultural integration. She’s passionate about building inclusive, future-ready workplaces and supporting economic growth plans through agile, people-centred strategies.

Webinar: Top tips - mini factsheets for leaders, global mobility professionals and educators

Dr Sue Shortland, Professor Emerita, London Metropolitan University

Sue Shortland, PhD earned her doctorate in gender diversity in expatriation at the University of Westminster where she previously lectured in International HRM before retiring from teaching in July 2024. She holds the title of Professor Emerita, London Metropolitan University.Sue remains an active researcher and has published in a wide range of peer-reviewed academic journals including: Human Resource Management, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Global Mobility, Career Development International, Gender in Management, Personnel Review, Employee Relations, Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, and European Journal of International Management.Her specialist research areas lie in diversity and gender in expatriation and in corporate governance with a focus on executive remuneration. Her previous roles include being a manager in international HRM consultancy at KPMG, heading up the CBI’s Employee Relocation Council, and working in various editorial and research capacities for industrial relations and HRM journals.