Aaron Eckhoff
I was elected to the Board of Trustees in July 2019 and made Chair in September 2020. I came to the UK in 2006 as qualified teacher in the US as well as New Zealand. I have a BA in Mathematics Education with a minor in Physics from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Read more →I was Director of Sixth Form at Claremont for several years, overseeing its development and taking it from a traditional model to one that is hugely diverse in terms of the academic offering with a comprehensive enrichment programme centred on developing students personally, academically, and professionally. This is very much in line with the Pestalozzi ethos and provided an environment where Pestalozzi students were able to thrive. I also served as Head of Mathematics from 2013 – 2018 at the school, where I taught a number of Pestalozzi students.
Linda Blank
I was elected to the Board of Trustees in March 2020 and have since been elected as Vice-Chair. I started my career in consulting at Accenture Strategy, where I was tasked with providing strategy advisory services to FTSE500 corporates from a variety of industries, including FMCG, retail, healthcare and financial services.
Read more →Having tried many different industries and functions, I developed a focus in digital transformation and business model innovation strategies. I was a founding member of new department, helping big businesses develop new growth strategies using digital business models, often seeking inspiration in start-ups. After nearly five years at the company, I then joined SUITCASE Group, a travel media start-up consisting of SUITCASE Magazine and SUITCASE Creative Studio. As a Chief Operating Officer my role is really versatile and includes growing existing revenue streams like exciting partnerships; coming up with new business ideas and creating an actionable plan for the strategic direction. Outside of work, I am an avid supporter of women’s and children’s charities, having served as the Vice-Chair of Unicef’s Next Generation London, a group of young professional volunteers committees to fundraise on behalf of children affected by some of the world’s worst crises. A former IB student myself, I am an advocate of education and am committed to help others achieve their full potential.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
“Education needs not only to develop our intelligence, but also to support the basic human values of warm-heartedness and compassion”.
H.H. The Dalai Lama
HRH The Duke of Gloucester
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, KG GCVO, is The Queen’s cousin and a full-time working member of the Royal Family. He attends national and international events in support of The Queen and her duties as Head of State, as well as undertaking extensive public duties and engagements every year reflecting his own interests and charities.
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Pradeep Subedi
I came to the UK as a Pestalozzi Scholar from Nepal in 2003 to pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at Hastings College. I found the two year scholarship enriching and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I then completed a BSc Mathematics with Actuarial Science from the University of Southampton.
Read more →I am now a qualified actuary and a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and have been working with Aon Plc over the past decade as a Pension Investment Risk Consultant. My expertise and experience are in risk management, modelling investment solutions for pension schemes, advising trustees and companies on the management of pension schemes.
I am passionate about creating a fair world by supporting and helping underprivileged communities around the globe. I have also volunteered in India as a teacher and mentor, helping vulnerable children from the streets and slums with their education.
I’m forever grateful to Pestalozzi, and I am excited to be a part of Pestalozzi International Foundation once again and continue my journey as a Trustee.
David Little
I first became involved with Pestalozzi in 2018 working with the students at the International Village as a volunteer chemistry tutor. I was impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and sense of social responsibility of the students and when their base moved to Atlantic College I was pleased to continue to play a part in their journey as a trustee.
Read more →My background is in science and education. After postgraduate research in biochemistry at Southampton University and postdoctoral work at University College Swansea I worked as head of the chemistry department in a sixth form college in Essex where I live. Since retiring in 2012 I have continued to work as a chemistry tutor and also as an A-level examiner for one of the national exam boards. I am also a volunteer classroom assistant at my local adult education college.
Mark Stanton
Mark was elected to the Board of Trustees in January 2021. A recently retired Chief Superintendent in Merseyside Police he has extensive experience of working across partnerships, organisational change and leading in crisis.
Read more →His 30 years in policing have shown him the impact on young people that different life experiences can make. His last role in policing was head of the force’s specialist uniform capabilities that included departments such as Armed Policing, Road Policing and the force events and contingency planning unit. Here he helped co-ordinate the response to Brexit and Covid-19 for Merseyside Police. Prior to that he was head of organisational change for the force and guided the development and implementation of a multi-million pound change programme. He has also been the head of the force contact and communications centre that dealt with all initial calls for service via 999, 101 and the new digital media service.
Mark is originally from the West Midlands where he also served as a police officer until 1999. He is a family man with three children and two grand-children and an avid Aston Villa football fan. Mark now resides in Warrington and he is driven to support others and help people get the most out of themselves.
Eddie West-Burnham
I am honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer with Pestalozzi International Foundation.
Over the last 30 plus years I have worked in a range of roles across health, social care and education.
For the 13 years till September 2019, I was Chief Executive Officer of a mental health charity. Throughout my career I have worked to improve the life opportunities of the most vulnerable in our community, always working to ensure they have a voice.
I am passionate about a number of things in life; tackling health inequalities, promoting social justice, improving educational opportunities for all, my family, Chelsea Football Club and England Rugby.
Margaret Alexander
After a 10 year career in the Civil Service I decided to change career and work with young people. Before joining Pestalozzi in 2003, I worked with young people with special educational needs and emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Read more →I have a BSc in Health and Social Care and a PG Certificate in Conflict and Development. I joined Pestalozzi after a year overseas and it offered me a perfect opportunity for the world to come to me and to continue my work with young people who are keen to make a difference in the world.
Nigel Ford
Following a degree in Biology/Ecology at York University and then a PGCE in Bath, I went on to teach Rural Science in a secondary school. I then worked as an Education Officer for the RSPCA in NW England, later moving to work at their nature reserve near Hastings.
Read more →The next stage in my career, with the ILEA at a residential field study centre in Kent, was cut short after a few years by Government cuts in education funding. I then taught Key Stage 2 pupils for ten years at a Primary School near Eastbourne, also becoming Computing Co-ordinator. In 2001 I moved to be Head of Computing/Database Manager at Dulwich Prep School in Cranbrook, from where I retired in 2017. I started volunteering with PIF the following year, and am currently managing the supporter and alumni database.
Lesley Russell-Dean
Following an MBA at the University of Brighton, I have had a varied career including roles in hotel management, business development, consultancy and veterinary services. I am currently studying for a Masters in Building Surveying.
I previously worked for Pestalozzi as the Chief Operations Officer and in 2021 returned part-time as the Office Manager to support the day to day running of the charity as well as the work of the small dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
Joanna Mozley
I have several years of experience working as an Accounts Manager for a variety of businesses and currently work part-time as Pestalozzi’s Finance Officer.
Outside of work, I am involved in the Girlguiding movement, love travel and am a keen cyclist.
I previously worked for Pestalozzi as the Chief Operations Officer and in 2021 returned part-time as the Office Manager to support the day to day running of the charity as well as the work of the small dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
