Meet
the Team

BA (Hons) History & Politics, University of Lancaster, UK

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), University of Cambridge, UK

Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Educational Leadership and Management, University College London, UK

Michael has worked in education for more than three decades, holding senior leadership positions across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He is currently Director of Education and Regional Head of Schools for Orbital Education, with responsibility for educational quality, safeguarding, wellbeing, governance, accreditation and school improvement across the Group. He is also a member of the senior executive leadership team and supports Principals, Boards and school leaders across the Orbital network.

Prior to joining Orbital, Michael served as Principal, Headmaster and Housemaster in the Middle East, Europe and the UK. He has also worked as an educational adviser and consultant specialising in accreditation, inspection, governance, strategic planning and professional development.

Michael is a recognised leader in safeguarding, governance, inspection and international school improvement. He has served as a Board member, governor, senior inspector and accreditation team chair and is an accredited trainer in safeguarding, health and safety and mental health.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys travelling, history, walking his dogs, sport and spending time with family and friends. He is passionate about helping young people develop the knowledge, character and confidence to thrive in an ever changing world.

BSc Psychology, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK

PGCE, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, UK

Marie grew up in the south-west of England in a large industrial town called Swindon. Having studied in Bristol, she remained in this vibrant city for 7 years, working in a variety of schools in Swindon and inner-city Bristol.

Then, to fuel her appetite for adventure, Marie took a position in Bangkok, Thailand, where she spent time exploring Asia. She developed a fascination with the rich culture and history of China and moved to a large international school in Suzhou in 2008, where she later gained the position of Deputy Head of Junior School.

Despite being somewhat accident prone, Marie enjoys a variety of sports and activities such as football, badminton, netball and cycling. Marie joined the Britannica family in 2016 and has subsequently had a daughter, Eve Violet, who now attends nursery and is doing much better than Marie at learning Hungarian! When she is not playing with Eve or exploring Budapest, Marie is often found with her nose buried in a good book.

Marie is proud to be part of such a wonderful and welcoming community and to be working with such a fantastic group of children, staff and parents.

BSc (Hons) Mathematics, University of Cardiff, Wales

PGCE (Mathematics), University of Wales Institute Cardiff, UK

MA in Education, University of Liverpool, UK

NPQH, National College of School Leadership (NCSL), 2009

Steve started his career in 1998 as a Mathematics teacher in Cardiff, Wales, before moving into international education, where he has held a range of senior leadership positions across the UAE, Indonesia, Hungary, France and Thailand. During his career he has served as Deputy Head, Head of Sixth Form, Acting Head of Secondary, Head of High School and Deputy Director of Studies, leading school improvement, curriculum development, inspection readiness, safeguarding and academic achievement.

Prior to joining Britannica, Steve held leadership roles at the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, the British School Jakarta, the British International School Budapest, the International School of Nice and King's College International, Bangkok. He is passionate about developing high performing teams, evidence informed teaching and creating the conditions in which students can thrive both academically and personally.

Outside of school, Steve enjoys spending time with family and friends and keeping active. A keen sportsman, he has completed an Ironman triathlon, cycled around Lake Balaton and tackled several Alpine cycling climbs. He is also an enthusiastic baker, enjoys supporting school co-curricular activities and has volunteered with local charitable initiatives supporting the homeless.

MA, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary, Accounting and Finance

Balázs was born in a small town at the lovely Lake Balaton, where he finished a local primary school, then the secondary school in Veszprém. He graduated at Corvinus University of Budapest, specialized in Accounting and Finance. After finishing his studies in 1991, he started his career joining multinational companies, where he gained experience in several industries, such as chemical, automotive, seeds research and production, IT distribution, including expat stay in the Netherlands.

Balázs has two children; his “small” daughter is 26, married already and attending university; his “big” son is 19 and finishing the secondary school. In his free time he loves riding the bike or the motorbike, visiting the gym and caring of his internal self-development, like meditation.

Balázs is excited to join the Britannica community from November 2019 and look forward to working in the private educational sector.