Empowering Education: Unlocking UK-India School Strategic and Brand Partnership Opportunities

Jonathan Batty

Master in Charge of Cricket, Assistant Director of Sport, Caterham School

Since retiring as a professional cricket player in 2012, Jonathan Batty has successfully combined a professional coaching career with teaching at Caterham School. He is currently the head coach for several cricket teams, including Delhi Capitals Women in the WPL, Oval Invincibles Women, and Melbourne Stars Women in the WBBL. At Caterham School, he oversees a thriving cricket program, teaches Geography, and has served as a Year 8 form tutor since 2016. Jonathan holds degrees from Durham University and Oxford University in England.

Jamie Large

Director, Ardingly College International

Jamie Large, with a Theology and Religious Studies degree from the University of Bristol, has extensive experience in education. He joined Ardingly College in 2005 after serving as Head of Philosophy in two London secondary schools and one in Adelaide, Australia. He has provided educational consultancy for schools in China, Kenya, UAE, and Vietnam, ensuring considerable value is added to each school’s unique context. At Ardingly College International, Jamie manages global K-12 school expansions and has overseen the school’s expansion to China and Kazakhstan.

Nicholas Hewlett

Headmaster at St. Dunstan’s College

Nicholas Hewlett serves as Head of School at the prestigious St. Dunstan’s College. He began his career in 2003 at Dulwich College after earning a first-class honour from King’s College, London. In 2014, Nick joined and led St Dunstan’s to win awards “Co-educational School of the Year” (2019) and “Independent School of the Year” (2022). Nick’s firm belief in a broad, value-driven education focused on individuality has gained him national recognition.

Fiona Carter

Director at Wellington College International

Fiona currently serves as International Director at Wellington International, supporting schools within the Wellington family, developing global partnerships, and helping plan the design, operations, and academics in new schools. She began her time with Wellington International in China, where she led their central academic team. Throughout her career, Fiona has provided consultancy to a wide range of educators, from school groups to ministries, and enjoys collaborating and learning from others in the international school business.

Mahender Reddy

CEO of St. Mary’s Educational Society, Hyderabad

Mahender Reddy is the CEO of St. Mary’s Education Society in Hyderabad with over two decades of experience in education management. He has founded multiple institutions, including Sancta Maria International School in Hyderabad which formed a strategic partnership with International Schools Partnership (ISP) in 2022. He also established Navaneeta Public School for underprivileged children and acquired 2 international schools, one in Faridabad, UP and another one in Moscow, Russia. Mahender, an MBA graduate of the University of Hull, has dedicated his life to quality education and innovation in the field.

Dr. Vikram Ramakrishnan

Director, CS Academy School

Dr. Vikram Ramakrishnan currently serves as co-founder and director of the CS Academy schools, where he plays a pivotal role by providing comprehensive career guidance, fostering industry connections, and leading the school’s expansion and infrastructure development. His focus on providing a holistic education that balances academics, sports, and extra-curricular activities has helped CS Academy grow into a leading education institution in South India. Dr Ramakrishnan earned his MBBS from the Madras Medical College, FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons and later completed an MBA from INSEAD Business School, France.

Praveen Raju

Senior Vice-President, ARISE; Founder, Suchitra Academy

Praveen Raju holds a bachelors degree in engineering from Osmania University, a certification in school management & leadership from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. He is the founder of Suchitra Academy, an international school in Hyderabad, India and coordinator of Nexus of Good (Nexus of good.org.in), Hyderabad Chapter. Praveen has been featured amongst “25 Leaders Reinventing K-12 Education” and has been recognized in Fortune and Forbes for his innovative approach to education. He has also held leadership roles at Indus International School and TIE Hyderabad.

Chandru Iyer

British Deputy High Commissioner Bengaluru and Deputy Trade Commissioner for Investment, South Asia

Chandru Iyer is the Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala. He was appointed in November 2022. In addition, he is also His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Investment for South Asia with a mandate to further strengthen and promote the UK as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment from India and the wider region.

Chandru previously worked with leading global professional services firm Grant Thornton as Head of Business Development for its South Asia Group. He is an international business development specialist with extensive experience in international trade and investment.

Chandru holds an undergraduate degree in Electronic Engineering and an MBA in International Business.

Vipul Bhargava

Partner at Novistra Capital

An alumnus of Delhi University and the London Business School, Vipul Bhargava is a partner at Novistra Capital with over 15 years of experience in the global education industry. He co-founded Novistra’s education practice in London and founded GILT Education, a consulting firm specializing in the cross-border growth of education companies. Vipul also served as a specialist advisor to the UK’s Department for International Trade and was Global Vice President at Education First (EF),
where he helped grow the world’s largest online language learning business across multiple regions. He holds an MBA from London Business School and undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. Vipul is based in London.

Ripun Jai Mehta

Partner at Novistra Capital

Ripun Jai Mehta is the founder and managing partner at Novistra Capital. He has advised large multinationals such as Genpact, EDS, and Max across the healthcare, IT, and BPO industries. Ripun established the firm’s cross-border M&A practice between India and the US and has closed over 50 M&A and PE transactions in healthcare, education, media, and technology. He also co-founded 5By7 and ArtNouv and was a co-founder at Kyma Capital. Ripun holds a bachelor in commerce from
SRCC, Delhi University, and an MBA from the London Business School, where he was a Sumantra Ghoshal Scholar.