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Working with International Schools: Partnering with Associations
When
Tuesday, 5 May 11:00am - 12:00pmWhere
OnlinePrice
Free for BESA Members, £50 for Non-MembersStrengthen your reach, partnerships, and impact in global education markets.
International schools continue to present exciting growth opportunities for education suppliers, but understanding where to start, which associations to engage with, and how best to build meaningful partnerships can feel complex.
During the recording, you’ll hear directly from Kieron Peacock (AoBSO), John Gwyn Jones MBE (FOBISIA), Debra Forsyth (BSME), Ruth Sanderson (HMC) and Colin Bell (COBIS), as they explore the role associations play in supporting international schools and how suppliers can work with them to add genuine value. The discussion covered the size and make‑up of each association’s membership, any accreditation or quality‑assurance frameworks they offer, and the similarities and differences between their organisations. Speakers also shared insight on geographical reach, key growth markets, and the challenges and opportunities currently facing international school leaders.
What you’ll leave with:
We want members to leave with a clear understanding, realistic expectations, and greater confidence in their next steps around exporting and working with associations.
International School Overview: A clear understanding of the international schools landscape and how different organisations support their member schools
Partnering with Associations: Practical guidance on how to engage with associations in a meaningful and effective way
Opportunities for International Collaboration: A clearer view of opportunities for partnership, sponsorship, exhibiting or longer‑term collaboration
Strategy Insights: Greater confidence in developing an international schools strategy that aligns with school and association priorities
Who is the on-demand webinar for:
This session was designed for companies who are exploring exporting opportunities.
- Education suppliers looking to work with or expand into the international schools market
- EdTech companies, publishers, and education service providers
- Commercial, partnerships, marketing, and export teams
- Organisations new to working internationally
- Suppliers already active in international markets who want to strengthen their approach to working with associations
Agenda
11:00am
Welcome and introductions
11:05am
Understanding the associations
• Membership size and make‑up
• Geographical reach and key regions
• Accreditation, standards, and quality frameworks
• Overlaps and differences between organisations
Challenges, opportunities and priorities for international schools
• Key issues facing school leaders and members
• Emerging opportunities and future focus areas
Working with suppliers and partnership opportunities
• How associations engage with suppliers
• What does effective partnership looks like
• Sponsorship, exhibiting, and collaboration opportunities
11:50am
Q&A
An open Q&A session giving members the opportunity to ask questions and explore the opportunities and challenges discussed.
Speakers
Collin Bell, CEO, COBIS
Colin Bell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the largest global association for British international schools overseas. Since joining COBIS in 2010, Colin has led the organisation through a period of significant growth, with over 349 member schools in more than 88 countries and a growing network of partners and supporting associates. With a background in teaching and education improvement across the UK, Europe and Asia, Colin brings a deep understanding of global education systems and international school development. Under his leadership, COBIS operates a highly regarded, rigorous quality assurance and accreditation framework, recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in Japan, Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assurance Standards (ONESQA) in Thailand, and is externally validated by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). Colin is a member of the UK Government’s International Education Sector Advisory Group, which is chaired by Ministers from the Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. In addition, Colin is appointed to Governing Boards of the British School in Tokyo, The British International School, Ukraine and on the UCAS International Advisory Group. He is a regular contributor to international conferences and publications on school improvement, safeguarding, child protection and global mobility in education. Colin is passionate about high-quality, inclusive British education overseas and the role of international schools in strengthening global links, raising standards, and positively impacting the life chances of children and young people worldwide.
Debra Forsyth, CEO, BSME
Debra Forsyth, a trailblazer in international education for over three decades, began her journey teaching Chemistry in London before embarking on a transformative journey around the globe. Her pivotal move to the emergent city of Abu Dhabi in 1987 sparked a passion for international education that led to leadership and advisory roles in Muscat, Damascus, Vienna, Sharjah and Dubai. Debra’s expertise spans diverse educational systems, curricula and establishments, culminating in her tenure as Principal of the prestigious Latifa School for Girls in Dubai. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to Emirati education, Debra was honored with a UAE Golden Visa in 2021. Debra’s influence extends beyond individual institutions; she has committed herself to the wider development of education across the region through her work with BSME. She was instrumental in establishing BSME’s Accreditation System, serving as a BSO Accreditor and conducting numerous regional inspections. After four years on the BSME Executive Committee and two as a Director, Debra assumed her current role as CEO and Director of BSME in 2022, cementing her status as a visionary leader shaping the future of education in the Middle East.
John Gwyn Jones, CEO, Federation of British International Schools in Asia
John Gwyn Jones MBE is a proud Welshman from Brynamman in the Amman Valley, whose journey from the hills of Carmarthenshire to the heart of international education in Asia has been anything but ordinary. John began his working life in the Midland Bank, where he quickly realised that counting other people’s money wasn’t quite his calling. Trading spreadsheets for school books, he trained to be a teacher at The University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen—a decision that would take him around the world. His first overseas adventure came in 1986, when he was seconded to the British Forces Schools in Hong Kong. One plane ticket later, John found his passion in international education—setting up schools, leading learning communities, and mentoring teachers across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Laos. He’s opened campuses, chaired boards, and occasionally even found time to do some educational coaching. John was a founding member, and the inaugural Chair of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), where he now serves as CEO. From his base in Bangkok, he supports over 100 premier British schools across 20 countries in the region—though he remains firmly grounded in his values of community, humour, and good old-fashioned Welsh resilience.
Kieron Peacock, Education Adviser, Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO)
Kieron has over 40 years experience in UK independent and international education as a teacher, senior leader and head teacher. In 2021 he was appointed as Education Adviser for AoBSO with a primary focus on supporting the association’s schools and heads across the world. Just over 50% of current BSO schools globally are now members of AoBSO. In his role, Kieron regularly liaises with UK’s DfE, FCDO, DBT and British Council over wide-ranging topics related to the promotion and growth of British international education, particularly championing quality and the UK Government’s BSO accreditation scheme. He represents AoBSO at conferences around the world and is often asked to contribute by chairing round table discussions, hosting Q&As and in delivering presentations.
Ruth Sanderson, Head of International Member Services, HMC, The Heads’ Conference
Ruth Sanderson is Head of International Member Services at HMC (The Heads’ Conference), a leading association representing some of the world’s most prominent independent schools. In her role, she works closely with a global network of member schools, supporting their engagement, development, and collaboration across international markets. Ruth has over 28 years’ experience in international education, having held a range of leadership and teaching roles in schools around the world. Most recently, she served as Principal of The British School of Amsterdam, where she led the school community through a period of growth and development. This extensive school-based experience underpins her work with HMC’s international members, bringing a practical and strategic understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing schools today. She is passionate about the value of international collaboration in education and the opportunities it creates for students, educators, and institutions alike, and regularly contributes to discussions on global education trends and best practice.
To ask any questions, please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk.
Will it be recorded?
Yes, the webinar will be recorded. If you register, you’ll receive a link to the recording once it is processed, so you can watch it at your convenience.
Will the slides be shared afterwards?
Yes, the slides will be shared after the webinar. Registered attendees will receive a copy via email following the session.
What software is the webinar hosted on?
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom. Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link and joining instructions.
Can I ask questions during the webinar?
Yes! Attendees can ask questions via the chat or Q&A function. If you prefer, you can also submit questions anonymously through the Q&A feature.
