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Shane Wilkinson

Managing Director

Shane graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1975, with an honours degree in Modern Languages. He entered the English language teaching profession, living and working mainly for International House and the British Council in the Far East, North Africa, Spain and England.  In 1983 he graduated from Reading University with a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics.  Throughout his career he has performed many roles including teacher trainer, director of studies, centre director and marketing director.  He founded BBSI in 1992, in order to create an academically credible specialised English language teaching centre, and had worked ever since to ensure that the School remains true to its founding principles and ethos.

As Principal and Managing Director of BBSI, Shane is a director and a partner in the Company. His responsibilities include overseeing the running of the College, and for both establishing and maintaining BBSI's quality management, academic ethos, style and culture as a quality and highly-accredited training institution. Shane is responsible for non-corporate business development and related business strategy. He is also responsible for maintaining and developing BBSI’s network of overseas representatives and partners, and ensuring that they are continually notified of developments at the School.

Ian Gault

Executive Director

Ian was formally a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, having completed 30 years' service as a military aviator in both the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force, with extensive experience as a commando helicopter pilot; senior air traffic control officer; Ministry of Defence staff officer, at Headquarters National Air Traffic Services; and latterly as a tutor at the Royal Air Force Staff College.  Ian also has experience as an industrialist, performing management roles in both production and logistics' capacities.  His vocational experiences have included extensive training in a variety of capacities at various levels and in many different fields, and World-wide travel in a wide range of challenging appointments related to military and government service, management, aviation, training services and international business development.

As Executive Director of BBSI, Ian is a director and partner in the Company. His responsibilities include the effective management of all promotional and presentational aspects of the Company, including marketing strategy and business development; overseeing the Company's operational management function and management procedures; directing the Company's administration function, quality systems and management information systems; and overseeing the development, design and direction of all professional, vocational and specialised training at BBSI. Ian also serves as consultant to and point of liaison for our many international clients in professional and specialised training fields.

Lourdes Saunders

Finance Director

As Finance Director of BBSI, Lourdes is a director and partner in the Company. Her responsibilities include the effective management of all commercial and financial aspects of the Company.  She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the administration and commercial functions. Lourdes also liaises with clients and students on a daily basis, and assists students in establishing their financial affairs in the UK when necessary.

Elaine Spark

Administration Manager

Elaine graduated from Uxbridge Technical College in 1986 with a LCCI PSC (Private Secretary's Certificate). The Certificate incorporated secretarial and business studies with shorthand in French and English and typing and business studies in French, English and Spanish.  In 2007, Elaine completed a City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Adult Leaner Support. She had previously worked as a Senior Editor in London and from 1997 to 2004, Elaine worked as the Shore Excursions Manager for P & O Princess Cruises, where she travelled the world with the sole responsibility of running the onboard tour office, serving between 1000 and 2000 passengers. From 2004, Elaine worked as a Sales Negotiator and was then promoted to Senior Sales Administrator in Southampton.  Elaine joined BBSI in April 2007.

As the BBSI Administration Manager, Elaine is a member of the Senior Management Team, and her role is central in the context of providing quality of service to students at the College. Her responsibilities include overseeing and supervising the day-to-day work of the administrative team in their respective responsibilities and ensuring that her team works efficiently, whilst ensuring that the highest standards of quality are maintained at all times. Elaine also oversees the coordination and effective implementation of Company marketing strategy and the effective ongoing promotion of all Company products and services. Elaine has also undertaken the role of maintaining the Company computer database of both client and student records.

Gill Wood

Director of Studies

Gill graduated from Manchester University in 1978, with an honours' degree in Education.  After some years in state education, and setting up work experience programmes, she entered the English-language teaching profession, and went on to take the Diploma in English Language Teaching. Gill worked in Milan for a number of years, both as Director of Studies, and as Centre Manager.  Consequently her work included teacher training, and support, and consulting with a wide range of organisations, including blue chip companies regarding their training requirements. Her experience includes training in various areas of management and business development. Gill has been a Cambridge ESOL examiner for many years.

As Director of Studies, Gill is a member of the BBSI Senior Management Team and is responsible for overall management of the Academic Department and for the implementation of all those BBSI academic quality systems that specifically relate to the tutorial and learning processes. Her responsibilities include the recruitment, induction and ongoing management and development of effective tutorial staff; lesson observation, for the purposes of quality control and standardisation of training; and student academic counselling. Gill meets new students on arrival, and continually monitors their progress to ensure they meet their training objectives, and optimise their learning experience in the UK.

Claire Butler

PA to the Executive Director

Claire graduated from Kingston Maurward College in 2000 with an RSA Diploma in Administrative and Secretarial Procedures. The Diploma incorporated Business Administration, Administrative Procedures, Stages II and III RSA Diplomas in Text Processing, IBTII, RSA II shorthand transcription and NVQ Level III in Health & Safety. Claire has previous experience of working as a Personal Assistant at director level and previously worked in private accountancy and within the education sector. Since 2001, Claire has also acquired qualifications in Internal Auditing Techniques, Fire Safety in the Workplace, First Aid, and FrontPage and Dreamweaver IT training to Advanced level. Claire joined BBSI in 2001. 

As Personal Assistant to the Executive Director, Ian Gault, Claire is a member of the BBSI Senior Management Team and her role is central in the context of the overall provision of quality and service to Company clients at executive level. Her responsibilities include assisting and acting as confidential secretary to Ian in all aspects of his operational, administrative and commercial functions within the Company. Moreover, in Ian's absence, Claire coordinates all the administrative aspects of professional training within the College. Claire is also the BBSI Quality Manager, Fire Officer, Maintenance Manager, Health & Safety Officer and Security Officer.

Jed Brazier

Assistant Director of Studies

Jed graduated from Bournemouth University in 1993 with an honours' degree in Business Studies. He entered the ELT profession in 1995 after gaining an RSA/Cambridge CELTA qualification and went on to gain extensive experience as a tutor in numerous disciplines, including English-language communication skills, Business English, Business Skills, Management and Logistics. Jed joined BBSI in 2001.

Having progressed as an academic tutor, senior tutor and academic coordinator, Jed was promoted to the position of Assistant Director of Studies (ADOS) in May 2005. He is responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day running of the Academic Department and is one of the key academic counsellors for all students in respect of their general academic progress and wellbeing. As ADOS, Jed also interfaces with all the BBSI national accrediting bodies; these include University of Cambridge ESOL, the Chartered Management Institute, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & transport. Jed is also an examiner for the Cambridge ESOL Business English Certificate and the International Certificate in Financial English.

Marian Davies

Coordinator, English Training

Marian achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Philosophy and commenced employment at BBSI in January 2001. She is well-travelled, familiar with many different cultures and has 6 years' experience in the Travel & Tourism industry. Marian was appointed Coordinator, English Language Training at BBSI, following a period as both a tutor and senior tutor. She recently attained her Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
 
As the Coordinator, English Language Training, Marian is involved in managing all aspects of English-language training at BBSI and for supervising the performance of all those tutors concerned. Marian is also responsible for the induction of new tutors, for organising and overseeing the extensive and ongoing Training & Development programme for all BBSI academic staff, and assists with academic reporting and standardisation. Marian also has a teaching commitment, which enables her to keep abreast of new teaching methodologies and resources.

Dale Rickard

Coordinator Business Training

Dale graduated from Aston University in 1989 with a combined honours' degree in Business Administration & Ergonomics. He joined the consultancy division of a large International Engineering group, working on Business Process Redesign projects across the UK and, in 1993, moved into English-language training and academic-skills training after completing a postgraduate teacher-training course. Dale has held coordinating and course development positions in several major language training institutes and has worked for extended periods in Singapore and Slovakia. Dale has also travelled extensively in South East Asia, India, Australasia, North and South America and West Africa. He has a wide interest generally in ongoing international business developments.

As Coordinator, Business Training at BBSI, Dale works with academic managers and senior tutors to design, develop and deliver academic and professionally orientated courses aimed at young professionals and students seeking a career or further study in subject-specific fields that require proficiency in English. He is also responsible for academic quality control in accordance with the requirements specified by BBSI's numerous national and international accrediting bodies.

Julie Hugo

Student Services Officer

Julie attended Bournemouth College and qualified as a Bi-Lingual Secretary in 1969. Her first position was working within the Travel Department of a local English Language School for 2 years. In 1974, however, after relocating to London for 3 years, Julie worked as a PA for the Chairman and Deputy Managing Director of a well-renowned British Advertising Agency, prior to travelled to South Africa to serve as Assistant to the Export Manager of a large clothing manufacturer in Cape Town. On her return to the UK in 1989, Julie returned to the training environment and has specialised for some 18 years in overseeing the needs of students in respect of travel arrangements, accommodation and welfare. In 1996, Julie acquired the ARELS Welfare Officer's Certificate and the First Aid at Work qualification.   

As Student Services Officer at BBSI, Julie oversees all aspects of student accommodation and maintains a vast portfolio of quality local host families. Her task involves the quality control of host-family accommodation, student domestic welfare, and student airport transfer arrangements. Julie also inducts new arrivals to BBSI to ensure a smooth and efficient settling-in process, and she advises students regarding visa and immigration matters. Julie also serves as the 'emergency contact' for BBSI students in the event of any travel or welfare difficulties, or in the event of emergency situations.

Lorna Watson

School Placement Officer

Lorna graduated from St Andrews University in 1986 with a Masters' degree in French and German and then spent several years working in the Travel & Tourism industry for a large UK tour operator. During this time, Lorna worked in many destinations overseas including Greece, Spain, France, India and the Dominican Republic assisting customers, training resort staff and overseeing resort operations. She subsequently returned to the UK, studied TEFL and obtained her CELTA qualification prior to joining BBSI as an academic tutor in 2005.
 
As School Placement Counsellor, Lorna is responsible for assisting and advising students throughout the UK university application process. She provides advice and information concerning UK universities, UK university courses and their entry requirements, and guides students through the university-application process. Throughout that process, Lorna keeps students fully informed of the status of their respective applications by means of regular meetings. Lorna also liaises with universities on behalf of students and arranges visits so that students can make an informed choice in respect of their future studies. In addition, Lorna is responsible for those students at BBSI who undertake professional work-placement programmes.