Membership of the Governing Body

Professor Toby Salt, Chair

With a career spanning over 30 years in education, Toby brings an enormous amount of experience to the group. He has a keen interest in good governance and a deep understanding of regulation, compliance, inspections, and safeguarding.

His governance roles include the Academies Enterprise Trust, one of the largest groups of school academies in the UK. He is Chair of The Pearson National Teaching Awards, advises an ed-tech social enterprise, and is a former Board Member and Non-Executive Director of UCAS and UCAS Media Ltd. He has held several CEO positions, most recently for Ormiston Academies Trust from 2012-2017 and the examinations board AQA from 2017-2020. Toby is now Senior Advisory Director to AQA’s chairman and CEO. Toby was a Founding Director of the DfE Innovation Unit and the Deputy Chief Executive of the National College for School Leadership – leading on schools and leadership policy.

Ms Liz Francis, Independent Governor, Safeguarding and Compliance

After teaching for 5 years Liz took up a research post for a government quango, followed by senior positions in a number of government agencies including the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Training and Development Agency for Schools, where she was Director of workforce strategy and qualifications. Liz has also worked as a senior education adviser for Suffolk County Council where she completed an MA in Education. Her two most recent full-time posts were as a senior civil servant at the Department for Education, followed by Director of Governance and Standards for the Alpha Plus Group. Liz’s voluntary work includes being a non-executive board member for the Association of Schools and Colleges’ professional development board and judging young people’s public speaking competitions for the English Speaking Union.

As a governor Liz focusses on safeguarding, compliance and pastoral delivery.

Mr Ruolei Niu, Company Director And CEO, CATS Global Schools

Mr. Ruolei Niu served as the vice general manager of Country Garden Venture Capital from February 2022 to February 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Niu had also served as the founder, general manager, co-chief investment officer and responsible officer at CG Partners Asset Management Co., Limited from 2015 to 2022, and the executive director, fund manager and responsible officer at China Merchants Fund Management Co., Ltd. from 2010 to 2015. Mr. Niu was an investment analyst and an investment and taxation accountant at ING Investment Management from 2007 to 2010 and 2004 to 2007, respectively. Mr. Niu holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Commerce degree in finance from the University of Sydney. Mr. Niu is a Certified Financial Analyst and a member of Certified Practising Accountant Australia.

Mr Feng Zhou, Company Director and CGS Finance Director

Feng joined the company in 2024 bringing international financial experience of over 14 years, including 9 years in the UK as a CFO. He has additionally had experience in India, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, including working for Fortune 500 companies. He has a global vision in finance, along with the capability to manage international teams. He is responsible for all aspects of finance at CATS Global Schools, including Group Reporting, auditing, management reporting, budgets and cashflow management.

As a governor, Feng focusses on finance and risk management.

Ms Kay Smith, Independent Governor

Kay recently retired from the role of Head of Bournemouth Collegiate Prep School after 12 successful years. Her career spans over 30 years in education having worked in both state and independent schools, as teacher, senior leader and Head. Kay has a wealth of knowledge and experience in leading and developing schools, and a commitment to ensuring the highest standards in education and the very best outcomes for all students. To achieve excellence, Kay promotes ‘education with character’, where academic achievement is enhanced by rich culture, strong values, broad opportunities and a sense of community and social responsibility. She holds an ILM Level 7 qualification in Executive Coaching and has worked in partnership with many senior leaders to transform their leadership. She has also worked with schools to promote a coaching culture within their organisation.

As a governor Kay focusses on Prep School delivery, particularly the Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Dr Ian Gross, Principal The Worthgate School

Ian was appointed Principal of The Worthgate School from August 2023. Over the past two decades, Ian has held several senior academic leadership positions at prominent international schools worldwide, including Bahrain, Thailand, Egypt, Argentina, and, most recently, Malaysia. He joins with in-depth knowledge of delivering GCSE, A Level, and International Baccalaureate programmes to international students. Ian holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD), an MA in Educational Leadership and Management, both from the University of Bath, and a PGCE Secondary Science from the University of Greenwich. Ian has been a visiting team member for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA). Ian is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) and believes all students should be inspired and empowered to achieve and reach their full potential in all that they do.

As a governor Ian focusses on academic delivery.

Mr Benson Ferrari, Headmaster St Michaels School

Benson has led St. Michael’s School as Headmaster since 2017, following Deputy and Assistant Head posts elsewhere.  His teaching and professional experience has been wide ranging, including primary, secondary, Further Education and delivering teacher training.  He holds a Master’s degree in Education, along with postgraduate certificates in educational research methods and mentoring & coaching.  Before becoming a teacher, Benson worked in finance, accounting for the multimillion-pound income of a large organisation.  Awarded a music scholarship during his undergraduate studies, Benson is an accomplished musician too.  He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors and the Society for Education and Training.  Benson inspects on a voluntary basis with Estyn, the body approved by Welsh Government to inspect schools in Wales.

As a governor Benson focusses on academic delivery.

Ms Maria Coulter, Headteacher Bournemouth Collegiate School

Maria started her career teaching business and economics and since then has held various leadership roles in different areas of school operations, having previously specialised in sixth form education. She joined BCS as head of sixth form 11 years ago and progressed to senior deputy head, teaching A-level business and leading teacher training. She has been responsible for recruiting and training almost 100 new teachers. Maria took on the headteacher role on an interim basis in September 2022, and her demonstration of outstanding leadership and her student-centred philosophy meant that she was appointed to the permanent headteacher position in October 2022.

As a governor Maria focusses on academic and pastoral delivery.

Ms Polly Tzortzi, CGS Global Director of Marketing & Student Experience

Polly has 15 years’ experience in international education. She joined the organisation in 2015 to lead the Sales and Marketing team at CSVPA. In 2019, Polly was appointed VP of Business Development, leading the Group’s business transformation project. In January 2022, Polly was appointed Global Marketing Director, leading Marketing, Direct Sales and Corporate Communications before becoming CGS Global Director of Marketing & Student Experience in September 2024, a role which incorporated Admissions, Compliance and University Partnerships with her sales and marketing remit. Polly holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology and Contemporary English Language Studies and an MA in Bilingual Translation and Interpreting. She is currently studying for an Executive MBA at the University of Oxford.

As a governor Polly focusses on boarding, student experience and student voice.

All governors must place the safety and welfare of children at the school above all other considerations. They must read and understand the requirements on the schools in the Keeping Children Safe in Education (updated as required), and the lead safeguarding governor in particular must fully understand the processes for safeguarding within the schools. All governors must be confident in challenging leaders on strategies for monitoring and improving the behaviour, well-being and safety of pupils.