Meet some of our esteemed judges from across the globe
Helen Jamieson
Founder, Jaluch and Jaluch International. Cultural Change. Leadership. CSR, Jaluch HR and Training.
Ann McDonald Obe
CEO & Former Principal Kellett School (British International School Hongkong)
Simon Matthews
Simon Matthews is the Country Manager for Manpower Thailand based in Bangkok. Mr. Matthews was responsible for the setup of Manpower Thailand in March 1998. His current job responsibilities are to achieve annual sales and profitability growth targets, identify opportunities for developing the business of permanent and contract employment services activity, lead the company business units of directors, managers and staffing consultants and represent the company in trade associations and with regulatory bodies. Currently Manpower Thailand has over 10,000 associates and with more than 500 clients, supported by over 230 permanent staff in 10 locations.
Mujeeb Ullah Khan
Mr. Mujeeb Ullah is the CEO of iTextiles. With a passion to create value in textiles globally through performance and sustainability, Mr. Khan has been leading iTextiles since 2006. Prior to this, he has over 20 years of management and leadership experience and has worked in leading multinationals like DuPont®️ and Invista. He is a board member of National Textiles University and NED Textiles department. Mr. Khan is also a keen contributor to society through various causes like Patient Behbood Society, Deaf Reach, and the likes. Owing to his firm belief in innovation and entrepreneurship, he has been superbly managing and expanding his horizons in not only the trading business but also several other businesses as well, such as Alpha Green, ITT Global and AG Trading.
Karen Emanuel
Having graduated at Leeds University , I decided to follow my passion for music and started working at Rough Trade Distribution. After a couple of years learning as much as I could about the industry and my department, I left and set up Key Production in 1990. Key Production started as an agency for Music Industry manufacturing – CDs, Vinyl records, DVDs, cassettes and associated print and packaging.
I made a series of acquisitions throughout the years to enhance our range of services including Think Tank Media, Breed Media, and Modo Design . We now serve a growing number of industries, providing a one stop shop for creative design and manufacturing of bespoke physical product. In 2006, whilst on holiday in Nicaragua, following another passion , this time sustainable travel , I bought an island and subsequently built a luxury sustainable hotel called Jicaro island Ecolodge which opened in 2010 and is a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. The last few years has seen me working with Leeds University as one of their Leaders in Residence, as well as mentoring students and doing talks at local schools also providing a bursary and mentoring students at Tileyard Education. Despite a fear of public speaking, which I am conquering, I have spoken and been on panels at many events, TV, and radio. I am an avid learner and regularly attend seminars and courses in order to increase my knowledge which helps my leadership skills and enables me to keep driving successful businesses.
Michael Matias
I am an engineer and entrepreneur at heart, deeply motivated by people and products that make a positive impact on the world. Currently an investor at J-Ventures (early-stage Venture Capital fund) and previously a Software Engineer at Hippo Insurance (unicorn) while studying Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University. Graduated from 8200 Cybersecurity Unit in the IDF as an Officer (First Lieutenant), where I founded and led a machine learning research team. A Forbes `30 Under 30` and Forbes `18 Under 18` honoree, TEDx speaker, Birthright Excel alumni, founder of Hacking Generation Y and Any Meal and host of the `20 Minute Leaders` talk show. Author of Age is Only an Int: “Lessons learned by a Young Entrepreneur”.
Sherry Moran
I am naturally drawn to entrepreneurial challenges, innovation and supporting and growing a talented team. This requires a blend of hard business skills, softer people skills and creativity. Since moving to London from New York in 1990, I have created and managed three very different businesses serving different business sectors. Change is GOOD. It allows one to continue to learn and naturally apply the wisdom of the past in new situations.
Ali Ayub
A seasoned investment professional developing, acquiring, and financing power and water transactions across MENA and Asia. I have closed over 3GW of wind and solar projects and 15GW of thermal power generation. In addition, I have underwritten over $3B in infrastructure debt in emerging markets. Experience includes under-writing across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Nelofar Currimbhoy
It is a privilege to be the President of the iconic company my mother pioneered. My role in the company is fairly wide today but my special interest remains Research and Development. I believe that it is essential to stay ahead of the competition by developing path breaking products. The 24 Carat Gold range is one such product created by me, and it is today the company’s top seller. The use of ‘Swarna’ as it is referred to in Ayurveda is an ancient anti age remedy, presented in a jar for the consumer by Shahnaz Herbals .I believe that the future will see a move as never before to nature and holistic care . I am also deeply involved with Business development , opening new avenues, and creating fresh business channels. Shahnaz Herbals . The Companies next aim will be to make a major impact in the International Market. I also take care of the Marketing and Distribution Net Work of the company which I call the lifeline of the company. Now for my passion, that certainly is writing. My first book was a biography on my mother’s life; ‘Flame,’ The Inspiring Life of my mother.’ It has been translated into Hindi, Bengali and Tamil . The Hindi copy was released at ‘ The Jaipur Literature Festival.’ My second book is simmering, and I hope to get it out there into the world by the middle of next year. I am also committed to my philanthropic work, and I run an NGO called ‘Bridges’. I feel that social responsibility for Companies is essential in the Indian context.
Belinda Castles
A passionate and high performing pharmaceutical professional with 9 years of industry experience across Australia and New Zealand in market access, medical and sales roles. Australian Registered Pharmacist.
Helen Jamieson
I believe that life is an adventure. I find that every day, week, and year brings new opportunities and I try to grab hold of most of them. I have been involved in giving back projects in Ethiopia and Nepal this past year as well as the usual UK things and I am wondering what opportunities will present in the next year – if you have any volunteering ideas for me or work opportunities then I would love to hear about them. I am the Founder of both Jaluch and Jaluch International – two businesses in the HR and training field. Innovation and quality are my passion. Calling a spade, a spade is my ‘brand’! Check out the 3 websites I run below – all visible evidence of my hard work and sleepless nights. Another passion is supporting people around the world who are not in a position to gain employment through usual channels. Self-employment is the route to financial self-sufficiency, and I can help with that. Author of My Business, My Success, a guide for female entrepreneurs and I am a keen, but sometimes outspoken, blogger.
Andy Homden
Andy Homden has worked in some of the most prominent international schools in the world, both as a teacher and leader Service includes headships at the Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur, Enka Schools Istanbul, Bangkok Patana School and in Dubai with Taaleem LLC, as Principal of Dubai British School and founding Principal of Jumeirah Baccalaureate School.
The establishment of new schools and in-service teacher training have been central to his career as an educator.
Andy founded Consilium Education in 2014, and he now advises start-up, new and growing international schools. Recent assignments have included studies for new projects in Japan, Russia, Latvia, and China. He is the international educational adviser to DPS-STS Schools in Dhaka and the editor of International Teacher Magazine.
Ronald Stones
Ronald hails from Britain but has been resident in South-East Asia for thirty years. His entire career has been spent in education. He led three of the region’s prestigious international schools – Tanglin Trust School, British International School Jakarta, and British School Manila. He also spearheaded the development of a new paradigm in education which changed the distribution of prosperity in the developing world. Ronald has been awarded several honorary positions, including Fellowship of RSA and recognition by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for services to education. Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Strong professional skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Early Childhood Education, Educational Consulting, and Lecturing.
Former Director of Green School Bali, and currently Chairman of the Green School Governance Council.
Michael Roulston
Educated at Madeley College and Ulster University, Michael was Headmaster of Dulwich Prep London for ten years, from 2009 to 2019, a time of substantial expansion and outstanding achievement for the school. He previously served as Headmaster of Cranleigh Prep School in Surrey for eight years, overseeing a significant increase in scholarships and pupil numbers. Michael’s first Headship was at The Model School, Derry-Londonderry, which he established as an informally religiously ‘integrated’ school and as a result, was awarded the prestigious BP Gulbenkian Citizenship Award for Northern Ireland. From The Model School, Michael moved to The British School in Tokyo, where he was Principal, and was awarded the MBE in 2000 for his work in Japan.
Michael has pioneered a personalized approach to the 360 evaluation of independent and international school leaders, while recent work for Consilium Education includes a feasibility study visit to Latvia for a new project in Riga and leading our team preparing a detailed feasibility study for a new international school in Tokyo.
Isabel Tobias
Mrs. Tobias, an English graduate of New Hall, Cambridge University, qualified as a teacher in 1988 following an initial career in publishing. she is often known, was appointed Head of the former Red Maids’ School in September 2001, from her previous role as Deputy Head at Royal High School, Bath. She continued as Head of Redmaids’ High School following the merger with Redland High in 2016. Her many achievements while at the school include:
- Leading a school that educates the largest number of girls in the independent sector in Bristol.
- Introducing the International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2008, in addition to A Levels, to provide more choice for Sixth Formers.
- Creating opportunities for talented students from all backgrounds through a substantial scholarship and bursary Programme.
- Instigating investment in the school’s facilities, the most recent of which are a brand-new library, modernized dining hall and reception area and state-of-the-art performance hall. By Summer 2021, we expect to unveil new, world-class sporting facilities at the 16-acre site near Cribbs Causeway which we acquired in 2017.
- Developing an extensive curriculum, with a strong emphasis on science and other STEM subjects, but equally focused on the humanities, the arts – creative and performing – languages, technologies, and sport.
Sandj Wilderspin
Sandj Wilderspin, MBE Retired enthusiastic educator who never stops learning. Sandj has Held management roles since 1977 both in England and abroad. Head Teacher in England and former independent international school. Chair of FOBISIA. Chair of BISW British International Schools Worldwide (embraced by COBIS). OFSTED Inspector. School Governor local school in Cornwall.
Ann McDonald Obe
Ann McDonald, OBE Former Principal and CEO of Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong. Currently a Board Member of The Kellett Foundation, an independent charity supporting education.
Andy Dadekian
Andy is a creative editor, producer and actor working in Hollywood. He has been editing and sound designing trailers for some of the biggest movies from the past 20 years. In addition, he has created memorable sonic mnemonics and music for major studio logos and brands. Andy is also an actor. Making use of an acting background he carries with him from Emerson College and Second City, he provides voice acting for animation used in many of the trailers he has finished and performs at Second City Hollywood as well as various film, video, and commercial projects around Los Angeles. He is an avid fan of improvisation – which has been integral to his success in all fields. In his spare time, he loves being with his wife and three daughters in beautiful downtown Burbank where he volunteers his time at the public schools and is acting Vice-President of the John Burroughs Vocal Music Association, one of the top public school music programs in the country.
