Outstanding People

Jenni has retired from full-time employment as a finance professional, with 40 years corporate experience in the global insurance industry. After working in Australia for 15 years, she spent 18 years working in Japan in CFO and CEO roles before moving to Hong Kong 10 years ago in a regional CFO role responsible for 8 countries. Her board experience spans both internal corporate boards in numerous countries as well as volunteer not-for-profit-roles in Japan and HK.

Jenni joined the Council of South Island School as Chair of the Finance, Premises and People Sub-Committee in August 2021. She loves working with the school community and was delighted to be asked to take over as Council Chair in August 2023. As Council Chair, Jenni works closely with the senior leadership team at SIS and my fellow Councillors to help the School provide the best possible education for all of our students.

John has worked with ESF for almost 20 years and is the Director of Facilities. In this role, John oversees key aspects of ESF operations, including; building projects and ongoing built asset enhancement, group procurement, operational health and safety, management of ESF’s real estate portfolio, integrated facility management services, group head office functions and key operational logistics.

Prior to joining ESF, John worked for large Hong Kong building contractors delivering major infrastructure projects for KCRC and MTRC as contracts manager. John is committed to providing the highest quality of services to ESF schools and communities in pursuit of the ESF mission and vision.

As a member of the School Council, John represents the ESF CEO, Belinda Greer, on matters related to the governance of South Island School.

Gordon is a legal professional practicing in the fields of corporate finance and capital markets, with over 30 years of experience in leading international law firms. He is passionate about advising on complex transactions, including IPOs, M&A, and regulatory, corporate compliance and corporate governance. Currently, Gordon serves as a Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at a Global Law Firm.

Gordon is deeply committed to education and community service, actively participating on various school councils, the board of UNICEF, and the HKCTA, contributing to the betterment of society.

He earned a BSc in Biochemistry as well as an MSc in Intellectual Property from the University of London.

He also obtained his Law Society Finals qualification from The College of Law, London.

Tim is a seasoned financial services professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across private equity, fintech, and global investment banking. Currently serving as an Executive Director at Gaw Capital, a leading private equity real estate firm, he plays a pivotal role in shaping investment strategies, risk management, and governance across diverse portfolios. His expertise in corporate finance, operations, and compliance brings a strategic perspective to decision-making—a skill set that translates seamlessly into contributing to the governance and long-term vision of an educational institution.

Prior to Gaw Capital, Tim was an Executive Director at Amber Group, a prominent fintech firm, where he led assurance, risk management, and governance functions while playing a key role in securing USD500 million in funding. His earlier career in various Wall Street firms where he has built a strong foundation in financial operations and strategic oversight.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tim is deeply passionate about education and community service, believing in the transformative power of learning. His extensive experience in governance, risk management, and strategic planning positions him to add significant value to ESF schools—whether through financial stewardship, policy development, or fostering innovation in education.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern California and is a Fellow of the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), a member of the Chartered Governance Institute, Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, and the Hong Kong Institute of Directors.

As a Community Representative, he is committed to supporting ESF’s mission of delivering excellence in education while ensuring strong governance and sustainable growth for the benefit of students, parents, and the broader school community.

Bryan Lai is an audit and assurance professional with over 20 years of experience, including more than 12 years at a Big 4 international accounting firm. His expertise extends deeply into the educational sector, where he leads comprehensive assurance engagements for a Hong Kong-listed education group whose business includes operating bilingual school networks in mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Bryan has successfully navigated complex regulatory environments, as well as international cross-border financial reporting standards. This specialized experience equips him with unique insights into the operational and financial challenges of fostering global-minded curricula and sustainable growth across diverse educational landscapes.

Bryan is a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant (Practising) and a Fellow Member of both the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (“ACCA”). He is also actively involved in the development of the accounting professional community as a committee member of the Corporate Finance Committee of the HKICPA. Bryan is deeply committed to education and community service, actively contributing to professional bodies and school governance to foster the next generation's development and societal progress.

Bhavana is a certified accountant and independent consultant with a deep passion for the

education sector. She has actively contributed to her child’s school community, previously

serving on the Bradbury School PTA before transitioning to South Island School.

Originally from India, Bhavana brings a wealth of diverse experience from her professional

journey across the UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. She firmly believes that learning is a lifelong

pursuit and is committed to fostering strong communities where individuals support and uplift

one another to grow and thrive.

From Australia, Anne-Mare Soon and her family have lived in Hong Kong for over 12 years. Her two children study at South Island School.

As an entrepreneur and corporate executive, Anne-Maree has spent the last 10 years recruiting for mid to senior academic and non-academic appointments for the International Schools across Asia. Prior to this, she worked in Australia with various NGOs on the training and placement of human capital.

Anne-Maree has a deep interest in the education sector. Her involvement extends to being on the judging panel for the Hong Kong and the Singapore Education Awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of the top International Schools.

Anne-Maree is a Directly Elected Parent Governor on the ESF Board of Governors, was the Parent Elected Member on the Quarry Bay School council, and now plays an active role in the council at South Island School.

As an experienced academic and researcher, Christina is eager to contribute to the School Council of South Island School.

She shas taken on leadership roles within the university and international projects, serving on various committees aimed at enhancing the educational experience for research students and improving research quality. These roles have honed her skills in strategic planning and policy development, which she believes would be beneficial to SIS.

Christina hopes to bring a forward-thinking perspective that emphasizes sustainability and innovation as key priorities for SIS.

Flick is a passionate educator and student, with over 15 years of experience in international schools. She advocates for technology in education, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and Policy at the University of Durham. Flick completed her MA in Literacy from Canterbury Christchurch and an MA in Educational Research from Durham. She is driven by research-led practices and a commitment to excellence for all learners. Her educational philosophy centres on transforming lives through high aspirations and low-risk but high-challenge learning opportunities.

Currently, Flick serves as Head of the English Faculty at ESF South Island School in Hong Kong, and she chairs the ESF Curriculum Group for English, as well as leading WomenEd Hong Kong. Her most important roles, though, are as a tutor for Casa and a dog parent! 

Martin is a dedicated, forward-thinking education leader and published author with over a decade of international experience in language and literature education across the IB and IGCSE pathways. He currently serves as Interim Head of Languages and Head of Chinese at ESF South Island School, and has previously led the Secondary Chinese Curriculum Group for ESF and held leadership roles at another ESF school. Beyond school leadership, Martin is an Assistant Examiner for the International Baccalaureate (TOK) and has authored textbooks with Cambridge University Press and Joint Publishing. He holds degrees from the University of Cambridge and The University of Hong Kong, and is a qualified teacher in Hong Kong, England, and British Columbia. Passionate about student well-being and holistic development, he also holds health and wellness certifications.

Ian is a chemistry teacher and pastoral leader, currently serving as Head of House (CASA) at South Island School. His academic journey began at Lancaster University, where he studied environmental science, followed by a Master’s degree in energy systems engineering at the University of Melbourne.

In 2019, he moved to Hong Kong from Australia, and he has found a true home both in this vibrant city and at South Island. The school’s beautiful location, nestled amidst forests and hills, resonates deeply with his love for nature and provides an inspiring backdrop for his teaching and leadership.

He began his teaching career amongst the hills of North Wales later teaching chemistry in his native Lancashire, UK where he loved to explore how science and chemistry shaped the community around us. He then worked in energy systems consultancy in Australia, gaining valuable insights into the practical applications of chemistry.

As Head of House, he is committed to fostering student agency and leadership, encouraging students to take an active role in their education and personal development. His love for problem-solving drives him to create a dynamic learning environment that empowers students to explore and engage critically with the subject matter.

Nicholas is honoured to hold the position as one of the two Head Students for the 2025-26 academic year. He proudly represents the student body as a member of the Head Prefect Team, School Council, and ESF Student Council.

His primary goal is to promote inclusivity and ensure that every voice is heard. Having been at South Island School since Year 7, Nicholas hopes to inspire future student leaders to be courageous and to lead meaningful initiatives such as Nightfest - that embody the school’s values and spirit.

With passion in music, public speaking, and sports, Nicholas aims to utilise a diverse range of extracurricular experiences to enhance his role as Head Boy.

The position of 2024-2026 head girl and membership on both the student council and ESF student council is one I take with great honour. 

I am currently studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, specializing in Psychology, Biology, and English at a higher level. With a passion for sports—particularly hockey and rugby—as well as public speaking and academics, I hope to use this diverse range of skills to excel in my role as Head Girl."

My ESF journey began 14 years ago when I joined hillside followed by peak school until I landed in year 7 South Island School following the footsteps of my elder sister. When I progressed through the school system I pursued multiple school activities eventually gaining the position of Shtepi House captain. As head girl I want to encourage future students by displaying exemplary resilience at school along with showing curiosity within my educational journey. 

Meet Zin Mogg, an Executive and Personal Assistant with over 8 years of experience.

Zin's journey began in the lively world of events, where she gained valuable organisational and multitasking skills. She later transitioned into hospitality, where she learned to navigate fast-paced environments while prioritising service to others.

Currently, Zin is exploring her passion in the education sector, assisting the Principal at South Island School to enhance operational efficiency and support school initiatives. Known for her approachability and adaptability, Zin finds joy in helping others succeed and contributing to a positive team environment.