Our Team

Board of Trustees President Jonathan Siklos joined the Board in 2019, chairing the HR subcommittee until becoming President in September 2024. Outside of his responsibilities to DESS, he is Managing Director - Middle East for online reputation and digital risk advisory firm Digitalis, and former chairman of the UAE’s oldest community theatre company, Dubai Drama Group. Jonathan has been in the UAE for 17 years, is a non-native Arabic speaker, and is the father of two proud DESS students!

Real estate and construction expert Patrick Rouse was responsible for the full development lifecycle of the Downtown Dubai and Zabeel masterplans.

Gerard McHugh brings over 20 years of leadership experience in investment banking, infrastructure advisory and corporate governance. Currently a Managing Director and Board Member at Tribe Infrastructure Group, Gerard advises on major regional corporate finance transactions. He lives in Dubai and is the proud father of three children at DESS College.

Alexis Waller also joined the Board in 2023 and is a highly regarded real estate and hospitality lawyer providing advice to education sector clients on all aspects of their business.

Nisha Patel-Wakerley has over 15 years’ experience leading change and transformation across a range of sectors, with particular expertise in strategy, data and analytics. Having grown up in Dubai, Nisha has a longstanding connection to the city and its community. She lives here with her husband and son, an enthusiastic DESS College student. Nisha joined the Board in 2023.

Prof Hannah al Ali went through DESS Oud Metha and DESS College, before gaining her bachelor’s degree maths at Brunel University in London and then achieving her Master’s degree and a PhD in maths at Coventry University. In doing so, Hannah became Dubai’s first female maths PhD holder. She is currently Dean of the School of Mathematics and Data Science at Emirates Aviation University. When she joined the Trustees in 2020, Hannah has also followed in the DESSC Board footsteps of her mum Sophia Panayotou, who was a DESS Trustee from 2002 – 2013.

Mother of three past and present DESSC (as it was known) students Dr Lames Abdul Hadi is a Higher Education Inspector at the Ministry of Education in the UAE and a certified accreditation evaluator from the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Father to two daughters at DESS Oud Metha, Andrew is Deputy Consul General at the British Embassy in Dubai. Before this role he worked at the British Embassy in China and has worked extensively across the British government back in the UK. He joined the Board in 2026.

DESS parent Darren Clarke is currently the Chief Financial Officer at the Commercial Bank of Dubai and joined the Board in 2019.

Dr Nicholas Hoque is a paediatrician, child development specialist and Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. He has advised UAE government health authorities, helped shape national healthcare policy and led pioneering child screening programmes. A DESS parent, Nick brings valuable experience in education, governance, wellbeing and inclusion.

Carlin Naidoo is a strategy and sustainability executive with over 18 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa. He is currently Vice President of Sustainability at DP World, where his work spans sustainability strategy, sustainable finance, climate risk, governance and corporate reporting. Carlin has lived in Dubai for over 15 years and is a DESS parent.

Miet Saelens is a senior communications and PR leader with 20 years of international experience, including 16 years in the Middle East and Africa. She has a proven track record in leading integrated communications, partnership marketing and brand campaigns for global organisations, including Marriott International. Miet is experienced in building high-performing teams, delivering award-winning results and driving strategic communications across diverse audiences and markets.

DESS alumna Lauren Savill joined the Board in 2026, bringing a background in marketing and public relations across hospitality and retail. As Co-Owner and Content Director of British Mums, Lauren has seen first-hand the impact that a strong sense of belonging can have, something she feels was instilled in her during her own years at DESS.

DESS parent Charlie Simpson is currently the Vice President Head of Region for Africa & Middle East at Airbus Defence & Space and joined the Board in 2026.

Francesca Sullivan is the Chief Legal Officer of Image Nation Studios, an Oscar and BAFTA award-winning film and entertainment studio. With over 17 years' experience in corporate and entertainment law, Francesca brings strong strategy, governance and risk oversight expertise to the Board. During her 10 years in the creative industry, she has supported major international film and television productions filming in the UAE. She has a particular interest in talent development and is a proud DESS parent of four children.

One of the first Governors (as they were then) of DESC (as it was then) when it opened in 2006 with 250 Students, Dame Maggie Thorne joined the combined DESSC Board in 2010. In 2018, she was appointed Community Trustee, reporting to the Board on Primary and Secondary school community activities. Among her many achievements, she and other governors wrote the Articles of Association for DESS; which have remained unchanged since.