Prior to joining Wuxi Dipont School of Arts and Science in August 2022, Brendan was Director General of Misk Schools, where he had responsibility for providing leadership in all aspects of the school. He brings over 35 years of international educational experience and used it to shape and guide his team so that together, they could deliver the school’s ambitious vision for a new paradigm in Saudi education, as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Misk Foundation and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Brendan joined Misk Schools in August 2019 from GEMS Education in Dubai, where he had responsibility for a portfolio of 14 British Premium schools across the UAE and Africa.
Prior to his role at GEMS, Brendan was Director of Education at The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) in Abu Dhabi, and Founding Headmaster of its flagship school, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, which he launched in 2014.
Under his vision and direction, Cranleigh became a multi award-winning school, securing New British International School of the Year 2017 as well as a number of other accolades in recognition of the school’s creative curriculum and outreach programmes. Prior to his time with TDIC, Brendan established and led Brighton College Abu Dhabi as Founding Headmaster. Based on the significance of his work in Abu Dhabi, he was listed as a UAE Education Influencer 2017 by WhichSchoolAdvisor.com.
Brendan began his career in 1985 in South Africa from where he moved to Sweden as Private Tutor to the President of SAAB’s children. His next career step was to the UK and into the independent boarding school sector. He joined Bedford School in 1995 to teach English and Sports, where he also held the roles of Senior Boarding Housemaster and Acting Registrar. In 2003, he was appointed Headmaster at Westbourne House School where, during his eight-year tenure, the school grew by 33% and achieved record results.
A graduate of the Universities of Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, Brendan has specialisms in English and Psychology, holds a Bachelor of Arts and a postgraduate BA Honors in Psychology, as well as a Higher Diploma of Education.
He says: “I’m at my best when I am building teams and galvanizing them behind a shared and inspiring vision. Wuxi Dipont School of Arts and Science has a bold, forward thinking set of goals: I am greatly honoured and privileged to be joining a team that is already delivering innovation in the classroom and to know that together, we are on an extraordinary journey to break new ground in K-12 education in China. Always aspiring for excellence, together we will empower our students to become innovative, collaborative and equipped with a comprehensive worldview and the skills to shape, make and operate on the national and international stage.”