Meet the Team
With over 90 years' combined experience within the British boarding schools' sector, our team comprise sector experts who have the knowledge, experience and drive to find solutions to the challenges faced by our members. We are passionate about what we do and always strive to go the extra mile to support and care for our diverse global community of members.
Suzanne Rowse
Director
Suzanne has almost 30 years' experience of working in boarding schools' marketing. She founded the company in 2006, following eight years as Marketing Director at a leading British boarding and day school in Kent. Prior to this, after studying Business at university, she gained extensive experience in international marketing roles within the digital publishing, software, and events industries. During her time in schools, Suzanne successfully implemented an international marketing strategy that increased pupil numbers by 30% and broadened the diversity of nationalities within the boarding community, reducing reliance on a small number of markets. She particularly valued building strong partnerships with overseas agents. A firm advocate for the vital role agents play, Suzanne is committed to ensuring they have a recognised voice within the sector. With a deep understanding of the challenges schools face in overseas marketing, recruitment, and budget management, Suzanne established the British Boarding Schools’ Network to provide schools and agents with the Contacts, Knowledge, and Support they need to fulfil their roles. Her vision is to help both parties achieve this in a cost-effective and time-efficient way.
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. As well as managing all the visual aspects of the BBSN brand, Antony also leads the technical side of the Network – constantly developing the members' portal, the website, services and events. He has a drive to ensure our company exceeds the expectations of our members and his creative flair - and love of technology, lighting and design - add the touches of magic which ensure our events have a professional, yet welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.
Melissa Gabbott
Head of Approved Agent Membership Programme
Melissa has over 16 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 has led on successful rebranding, prospectus, website and filming projects. Melissa works full-time, focusing on supporting agent members and heading up the Approved Agent Membership Programme. Having managed the development and implementation of the new Programme in October 2022, Melissa is responsible for managing all new agent member applications. Together with Suzanne, she interviews all new agent member applicants and manages the rigorous process of research and reference-checks to ensure agents qualify for Approved status.
Jayne Grigg
International Recruitment Adviser
After nine years in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, based at different Embassies around the world, Jayne joined Truro School in Cornwall (a co-educational day and boarding for ages 3-18) in 1992. After developing and leading the Admissions and Marketing team, with sole responsibility for the recruitment of international students, she joined the Senior Leadership Team in 2015 as Director of Admissions and Development. Jayne travelled to many key recruitment markets and enjoyed working with agent partners. She regularly attended the BBSW to represent her school and hosted agents as part of our Fam Trips. She learned how to implement creative strategies to overcome the challenge of marketing a school that was not close to London! Jayne joined the BBSN team in 2021 and provides one-to-one support for school members, ensuring they get the most out of our services. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with members and often acts as a confidential sounding board for those who want an impartial opinion on ideas and strategy. Each year she conducts more than 150 approved agent member review meetings from which she gathers vital 'on the ground' market intelligence, which is shared with school members via the portal.
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 BBSW. During this time, Lisa attended the BBSW events at Heathrow, supporting the BBSN team. In 2021 Lisa joined the BBSN team and works full-time. Led by the Directors, Lisa is responsible for managing event operations of the two large-scale BBSW events each year in March and November, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel. She also organises the Fam Trips for groups of agents to visit schools after the Workshops, which involve a significant amount of planning and event management, booking transport and hotels, and liaising with the host schools to ensure everything goes smoothly. Lisa also helps with the member Networking Days, which normally take place in the summer term and are hosted at one of our member schools.
Becki George
Membership & Digital Operations Manager
Becki joined BBSN in 2022 after 6½ years as Assistant Registrar, Marketing and Compliance Coordinator at Etherton Education, a company that is a member of the BBSN. Becki attended the BBSW many times to represent Etherton and to promote their range of academic summer courses. She is therefore familiar with working with international families, agents and partner schools. Becki also brings valuable experience from previous roles in the travel and hospitality industries, with particular experience in customer service and event management. She holds the AMCIS Diploma in Schools’ Marketing and has a particular interest in digital marketing. Becki has been pivotal in helping members' get the most out of our digital members' platform. She also manages and oversees the Support Team.
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 co-educational 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. Sue joined the BBSN team in 2022 as part of the Members' Support Team. She played a vital role in the launch of the new Approved Agent Membership Programme in October 2022, moving all agent members through the process to gain Approved Agent status. Her work involves a significant amount of agent reference-checking, keeping our members' database up to date and providing support to members.
Chloe Mahoney
Members' Support Team
Chloe started her career working in an Early Years education setting, qualifying and working her way up to Supervisor. Her organisation and communication skills led her to seek more admin-based roles and Chloe joined us with a strong background in fast-paced customer services, most recently with Nationwide Building Society. Chloe joined our Members' Support Team in 2022 and plays an important role in ensuring our database is kept up to date so that members have access to accurate contacts and data. She also enjoys supporting our members with access to, and use of, the vast range of contacts and resources available on the portal.
Ollie Rowse
Digital & Events Assistant
Having grown up with the family business, Ollie has been attending the BBSW since he was 14, helping with event set up, photography, video production and tech support. He is currently studying for a BA Hons degree in Business & Events Management and alongside his university studies he runs his own music events company. Ollie enjoyed his time as a weekly boarder at an independent boarding school in East Sussex where he attended senior school. He continues to be part of the BBSN team, working part-time on digital projects and attending events as part of the technical crew.