Membership of the CGS Governing Body
Mr Christopher Stacey, Chair of Governors, CEO and Company Director
Prior to joining the CATS Group in 2012, Chris held senior finance posts at Roche Pharmaceuticals and Activision Blizzard focused on sales effectiveness, finance system integration and BI reporting. He has held a number of roles at CEG/CATS, including working in China (Beijing) as General Manager for 18 months where he was accountable for one third of the group’s global revenue. More recently he has been managing the groups global finance department. He was responsible for day-to-day finance, audit, month/year end, tax, board reporting and financial/management accounting, ahead of taking up the CFO post for CATS Colleges prior to his position now as Chief Executive Officer.
Dr Craig Wilson, Managing Director Schools and Safeguarding Governor
Craig read Chemistry at the University of Oxford obtaining a first class degree and stayed on to study for a DPhil. Following a PGCE, he became a Head of Chemistry in the UK before moving to an international school in China as Head of Science then Deputy Head, with responsibility for student tracking, intervention and academic target setting. Craig has been working for CEG/CATS since 2013, initially as Director of Education, coordinating the three UK CATS Colleges’ academic activities. He became Executive Principal in 2019 and Managing Director in 2022 with his role also covering operations and property. He was Principal of CATS Cambridge from January 2016 to December 2019. Craig was previously DSL at CATS Cambridge and last attended DSL training in May 2022. Craig chairs the CGS Cross-Group Designated Safeguarding Lead meetings.
Mr Dominic Tomalin, Principal CATS Cambridge
Dominic joined CATS Cambridge as its Vice Principal in August 2016. He has extensive experience as a teacher having taught Economics, Business, Physics and Mathematics at A Level. This reflects his eclectic academic background; Dominic holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and Masters’ degrees in Economics and Education. Before joining CATS Cambridge, Dominic worked as a boarding Housemaster, Head of Department and he has been a school lead for university applications. Prior to becoming a teacher in 2005, Dominic worked in a range of senior roles in the logistics and telecommunications sectors, having previously served as an Officer in the British Army’s Corp of Royal Engineers. Dominic is a serving ISI CTI. Dominic chairs the CGS Cross-Group Vice Principal meetings.
Dr Ian Gross, Principal The Worthgate School
Ian was appointed Principal of The Worthgate School from August 2023. Over the past two decades, Ian has held several senior academic leadership positions at prominent international schools worldwide, including Bahrain, Thailand, Egypt, Argentina, and, most recently, Malaysia. He joins with in-depth knowledge of delivering GCSE, A Level, and International Baccalaureate programmes to international students. Ian holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD), an MA in Educational Leadership and Management, both from the University of Bath, and a PGCE Secondary Science from the University of Greenwich. Ian has been a visiting team member for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA). Ian is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT) and believes all students should be inspired and empowered to achieve and reach their full potential in all that they do.
Ms Carmel O’Dolan, Headteacher Guildhouse School
Prior to starting at Guildhouse School in August 2023, Carmel has been a teacher for over 25 years, 12 of which are as a Head Teacher. She has held senior leadership positions at independent and international schools in the UK and Kenya and has in-depth knowledge of delivering the British National Curriculum. With a whole-school approach, Carmel ensures that life in boarding is enriching, homely, and supportive, with systems in place to promote pupil and staff welfare.
Carmel holds a BEd (Hon) in Business Education from Manchester Metropolitan University, a Master of Arts: School Development from Canterbury Christ Church University and also has a National Professional Qualification in Headship.
Mr Jason Lewis, Principal Bosworth Independent School
Jason has nineteen years’ experience in education, with nine years as Headmaster and Principal. He is originally from North Wales and read Geography at Aberystwyth University before completing his PGCE and embarking on a career in education. From 2014-2020, Jason was the Principal of Rainbow International school in Kampala, Uganda and has extensive experience of school development and embedding a culture of sustainable growth and academic success. He firmly believes that every student should be taught a curriculum that inspires, challenges and stimulates in a safe and secure environment. Jason was a school inspector with the ISI and a Lead Improvement Partner with the Council of British International Schools. He is now an ISI TI.Jason chairs the CGS Cross-Group Assistant Principals Pastoral meetings.
Ms Anna Coakley, Director of School Operations
Anna joined Cambridge Education Group as Director of Operational Quality in November 2016. Anna has 20 years of experience in customer service environments including eight years at The Savoy Hotel in London and managing front of house and event spaces within investment banks and law firms in the City of London. During her time with the company she has worked closely with the Operations Management team to drive standards and challenge practices to enhance the student experience outside of the classroom. She aims to act as a central voice promoting the group ethos when in the schools and a voice of the schools and the customer when within the central team. Anna chairs the CGS Cross-Group Heads of Boarding meetings as well as the CGS Cross-Group Student Services meetings.
Mr Joe Butterfield, Head of Finance
Joe joined the company in 2014. Initially leading the analytics team before progressing through the Financial Planning and Analytics (FP&A) department, and most recently to the position of Head of Finance. Joe studied Economics at Newcastle University and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Throughout Joe’s career at the company, he has been at the forefront of commercial decision making and is currently responsible for all aspects of finance performance including: the group audit, statutory reporting, management reporting & commercial analytics.
Mr Tim Gladston, People & Engagement Director
As head of the Human Resources function, Tim brings with him over 20 years’ worth of hands-on experience through his work in a range of sectors and environments (including marketing, entertainment and retail). Tim combines a strategic and operational leadership approach, delivering results through effective business objectives, collaborating with senior management, improving organisational performance and implementing a wide spectrum of advisory, contractual, and administration practices and processes.
Dr Sue Brindley, Part-time Chief Education Advisor
As well as working as our Chief Education Advisor, Sue Brindley is a University Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge. Her current interests are working with teachers and schools on professional development through practitioner research (CamSTAR). She is particularly interested in the legitimisation of professional knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism through research. CamSTAR brings her into contact with substantial numbers of teachers working across a wide range of areas, and she is now working on a cross school project (with ten schools) on Conditions for Excellence.
Ms Kay Smith, Independent Governor
Kay recently retired from the role of Head of Bournemouth Collegiate Prep School after 12 successful years. Her career spans over 30 years in education having worked in both state and independent schools, as teacher, senior leader and Head. Kay has a wealth of knowledge and experience in leading and developing schools, and a commitment to ensuring the highest standards in education and the very best outcomes for all students. To achieve excellence, Kay promotes ‘education with character’, where academic achievement is enhanced by rich culture, strong values, broad opportunities and a sense of community and social responsibility. She holds an ILM Level 7 qualification in Executive Coaching and has worked in partnership with many senior leaders to transform their leadership. She has also worked with schools to promote a coaching culture within their organisation.
Mr Michael Spens, Independent Governor
Michael read Natural Sciences at
Cambridge and then had a brief spell in the food industry before embarking on a career in teaching. In 1993 he was appointed Headmaster of Caldicott Preparatory School and in 1998 moved to be Headmaster of Fettes College in Edinburgh Michael was Headmaster of Fettes College for 19 years and during that time oversaw a major development programme including the growth of the school from 460 pupils to the current 750 pupils and the introduction of the IB Diploma programme in the Sixth Form. Michael stepped down from Fettes in 2017 and has since worked in consultancy and held a variety of governor roles.
