Schools to more easily and cost-effectively recruit international pupils – so they have a happy and thriving boarding community that comprises children from a diverse range of countries.
 

Educational agents to know, and have excellent relationships with, a broad range of British boarding schools, so they can place their students in schools that best fit their needs.
 

Marketing & admissions staff to have easy-to-use tools to hand to help save them time in their busy role, as well as being up-to-date in their knowledge of the sector, so they can confidently make decisions to direct their activities for best return.
 

Bursars and business managers to manage their international recruitment budgets in a cost-effective  way – through our Network, the costs of overseas trips can be mitigated or maximised for return on investment (ROI).
 

Our international recruitment community to more effectively communicate and collaborate. To work together to place pupils in the right British boarding schools at a time when geo-political divisions, global competitiveness and the impact of the pandemic are all ongoing concerns for the sector.
 

Excellence – We advocate, and personally uphold, the highest standards of excellence in everything we do.

Ethical – We put honesty, integrity and professionalism at the heart of all that we do, including our commitment to social responsibility.

Innovative – We are forward-thinking, embrace change and continue to improve and develop the Network with passion.

Leadership – We are leaders in our field and strive to be the most knowledgeable and dependable source of up-to-date intelligence for the boarding sector.

Compassionate – We go the extra mile to support and care for our diverse global community of members, partners and employees. We are sensitive to different cultures and treat everyone with equal respect.

Customer-Focused – We strive to offer the very best services, support and value for money.

Suzanne Rowse – Director

Suzanne has worked in the British boarding schools' sector for 25 years. She founded the company in 2006 after working as the Marketing Director at a British boarding and day school in Kent, having held previous marketing roles in international companies. During her eight years at the school, she successfully implemented an international marketing strategy, helping to grow pupil numbers by 30% and achieving the school's aim to diversify the nationalities of boarders. During her time at the school, she built and developed partnerships with overseas agents, visiting agents in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She is an advocate for the valuable work that agents carry out and is passionate about providing agents with a voice in the sector.

Suzanne understands the challenges school staff face in overseas marketing and recruitment. She also knows the pressures of the job – the demands on small teams and the need to achieve admissions targets. She has developed the British Boarding Schools' Network to offer all the contacts, knowledge and support needed for schools and their international recruitment staff. It is the Network she wished she could have benefited from when she worked in a boarding school.

Antony Rowse – Director

Antony co-directs the company alongside Suzanne. Before establishing the company in 2006, Antony was a successful freelance technical illustrator and graphic designer, working for a range of commercial clients across the world.

Antony is involved in all aspects of the business and, as well as managing the visual aspects of the BBSN brand, Antony also leads the technical side of the Network – constantly developing the portal and online events to be both easy to use and of great value to members.

Melissa Gabbott – Head of Member Services

Melissa has over 17 years’ admissions and marketing experience from various roles in a co-ed, 3-18 years, day and boarding school in East Kent. She holds the AMCIS Diploma in Schools’ Marketing and and won the 2016 TES Independent School Award for Marketing and Communications Campaign of the Year. Melissa has led on successful rebranding, prospectus, website and filming projects. 

 

Lisa Scott – Events Manager

Lisa has been at the forefront of events and hospitality for the past 26 years, including three years at Trinity Event Solutions, a company which specialises in organising and supporting large corporate events, including the BBS Workshop.  She is a full-time member of our team and is the first point of contact for members and delegates in relation to our events. 

Sue Mahoney – Members’ Support Team

After a successful 20 years in customer service roles in banking, Sue moved to the education sector as an Examinations Officer for eight years. In 2014 she joined St Lawrence College in Ramsgate (a boarding school in Kent) as Assistant Registrar, taking on the role of Registrar from 2019 to 2021. Sue holds the AMCIS Certificate in Admissions Management.

 

Jayne Grigg – Members’ Support Team

After nine years in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, based at different Embassies around the world, Jayne joined Truro School (a boarding school in Cornwall) in 1992, initially as Headmaster’s PA. She developed and led the Admissions and Marketing team, with sole responsibility for the recruitment of international students, joining the Senior Leadership Team in 2015 as Director of Admissions and Development.

 

Chloe Mahoney – Members' Support Team

Chloe started her career working in an Early Years setting, qualifying and working her way up to Supervisor. Her organisation and communication skills led her to seek more admin-based roles and Chloe joins us with a strong background in fast-paced customer services, most recently with Nationwide Building Society.

 

Becki George – Members' Support Team

Becki joined BBSN after 6½ years as Assistant Registrar, Marketing and Compliance Coordinator, at Etherton Education. Becki is familiar with working with international families and agents. She holds the AMCIS Diploma in Schools’ Marketing and has a particular interest in digital marketing. Becki also brings valuable experience from previous roles in the travel and hospitality industries.

Ollie Rowse – Digital and Events Assistant

Having completed his A levels in 2021, Ollie has been assisting the team with digital projects and event management until taking up his place at university to study Business in September 2022. He has been attending the BBS Workshops and events since 2017 as part of the technical crew, helping with set-up, photography and video production.