Welcome to Abitas Group

Martin currently works advising schools on leadership and governance matters and is a Senior Advisor to Saxton Bampfylde’s schools’ practice. He began his career at St Edward’s Oxford before moving to Oundle and then to Reigate Grammar as Senior Deputy Head. He was Head of Wellington School in Somerset for eight years before being appointed as Head of Cranleigh School in 2014, where he served for a further ten. A strong advocate for the benefits of boarding education, he was Chair of the Boarding Schools’ Association in 2017-18 and is now the Chair of the BSA Foundation. He is an Emeritus Fellow of the BSA and a Fellow of the Institute of Boarding. Martin is a Director of Whole Education, a boarding governor at Blundell’s School and a trustee of Go Chatter Studios. He is an inspector for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate.

Bethan is Director of BAISIS and HIEDA and leads on all consultancy and INSET services across Abitas Group as Executive Director, Consultancy. Before joining Abitas in 2017, Bethan was a pastoral lead and houseparent, in state and independent, co-educational and girls’ and UK and international schools. Bethan is a keen advocate for youth opportunity and social mobility worldwide and believes confident, well trained, and supported practitioners can be a positive force for young people and their development.

Mariya is an internationally recognised safeguarding and child protection expert with over 20 years’ multidisciplinary experience. She has held senior advisory, academic, legal, and leadership roles, including serving as Maldives Minister of Gender, Family, and Human Rights, leading reforms in child protection law and policy. Internationally, she has advised UNICEF, UNDP, and ECPAT on child sexual abuse, exploitation, and protection systems. Holding qualifications in law and child psychology, she has published widely on child rights, online safety, and trauma-informed practice. Mariya’s strategic vision, policy expertise, and frontline insight equip her to bring both global perspective and local understanding to SACPA’s mission.

Gaelle is Head of Research Services and Inclusion and joined the BSA in January 2023. She is an experienced senior leader and has worked in a range of state and independent schools. She is a qualified SENCO and holds a Masters Degree in Inclusive Education. Prior to joining the Abitas Group, Gaelle was Deputy Head Pastoral, DSL and Head of Boarding at an all-girls independent school in the South-East.

James has extensive senior leadership experience, including 25 years as Managing Director of a medical device manufacturer, and as an NED Board Member, and spends time volunteering in his local community (Oxfordshire).

Liz McDonald has been with the Abitas for ten years and is responsible for the coordination of the Group Accredited Training Programme. Liz is a former financial services professional, and relishes any opportunity to help and assist boarding staff with their training needs and continued professional development.

Danielle joined Abitas Group in September 2020 and is responsible for providing finance and membership across Abitas Group.

With previous roles at an accountancy practice, a sports governing body and in local government, she brings considerable experience of a range of business sectors and specialist expertise in payroll, admin, pensions and benefits.

Neil joined Abitas Group team in January 2022, bringing a wealth of sales and recruitment experience to the role. Having served with the Army Air Corps, Neil left the armed forces and pursued a career in sales and recruitment, helping ex-forces personnel find work within the civilian market in a variety of sectors.

Neil has worked in various publishing companies on a variety of titles within the military and school sectors becoming a sales director. He is married with four children.

Antonia is Head of Immigration, joining Abitas Group after over 20 years working in Immigration and Global Mobility across a range of industries.  Antonia’s focus has always been on delivering an excellent client service by building strong and trusted relationships with her contacts and understanding their priorities and needs.  She has extensive experience on a range of visa application types and the processes and requirements of the Home Office.  Antonia was particularly keen to join the Abitas Group because her boarding school experience as a child was wonderful and she has always advocated boarding life and the positive aspects surrounding it.

Laura has joined Abitas Group and is deeply dedicated to the field of education, boasting a distinguished career spanning over 20 years in educational sales. Her expertise lies in cultivating strategic partnerships, adeptly managing relationships, and orchestrating substantial commercial sales initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in equipping educational institutions with the essential resources required to enhance the educational experience that positively impact the lives of students.

Lottie joined Abitas Group in February 2022 and is Communications and Engagement Manager for Abitas Group. Having worked in busy marketing offices within both the state boarding and independent school sectors for over eight years, Lottie brings excellent communications experience to the role and manages the provision of digital communications across the group.

Claire is the Business Support Manager at Abitas Group. Claire joined the group in 2021 and has extensive financial and administrative experience making her well-placed to support core business functions and projects across the group.

Romanie brings a background in marketing, PR and communications to her role as Administrative and Marketing Assistant. She is an NCTJ-accredited Journalism graduate, with strong written communication skills, attention to detail and a thoughtful, ethical approach to her work.

In her role, Romanie supports both administrative and marketing functions, including the creation of clear, engaging and creative social media content, which is her passion. Romanie turns long-form content into creative, visually engaging posts about safeguarding that communicate key messages clearly and accessibly, while maintaining professionalism and sensitivity. Her journalism and public relations training has developed a strong understanding of responsibility, confidentiality and accuracy, which aligns closely with safeguarding-focused work, values-led and safer cultures of organisations.

Romanie enjoys supporting teams behind the scenes, keeping things organised and contributing to work that makes a meaningful difference. She is passionate about using communication creatively and responsibly and continues to develop her skills for safeguarding training and safer organisations.

Outside of work, Romanie loves spending time with her family, going on holidays, and is a full-time dog mum to her Frenchie, Stitch.

Jess joined Abitas Group in April 2022, taking up the role of BEDS (Boarding and Education Services) Manager. Prior to that, she spent nine years in the entertainment industry working on cruise lines, holiday parks and television, and enjoyed a spell as an Administrator for a golf signage company.

Emily joined Abitas Group in March 2023 as Senior Finance and Administration Executive. Emily has a background in finance, administration and early years education, making her well placed to support our members.

Leigh joined Abitas Group as Immigration Executive for BSA Group Legal Services Ltd. Having previously held the position of Registrar at an independent boarding school, Leigh has a deep understanding of the intricacies of sponsor licence compliance. Through her expertise, Leigh ensures that member schools are supported in all areas of UKVI sponsor licence compliance, including the intricacies of sponsor duties, CAS management and international student visa support.

Ella has a background in finance and credit control, as well as a degree in English Language and Communication. In her previous role, she received the Bathroom Manufacturer Association’s 30 Under 30 Award in recognition of her contributions to the industry.

Geri joined Abitas Group in January 2026 as Business Support Executive. Geri has 10+ years experience in administration, accounts and logistics. A year of that was running her own business as a Virtual Assistant. 

Harriet is a dedicated safeguarding professional with a strong background in law enforcement and community welfare. With over a decade of service as a Safeguarding Police Constable, she has worked to protect vulnerable individuals, responding to complex situations with professionalism and compassion. Her experience in risk assessment, crisis management, investigation and safeguarding procedures has helped her support individuals in need.

Harriet is passionate about keeping people safe and continuously developing her skills to provide the best possible support.

Outside of work, Harriet is a devoted mum of four who loves spending quality time with her family. On top of her busy schedule, she is a swimming instructor and Safeguarding Lead for a local swimming club. In this role, she applies her safeguarding expertise, promotes best practices and helps create a safer environment for young swimmers.

Natalie is an experienced executive leader with a passion for helping organisations and their people thrive. She specialises in people, culture, organisational transformation and operational effectiveness, and has worked closely with Boards and leadership teams through periods of growth and change.

Much of Natalie’s career has been within education and purpose-led organisations, alongside experience in consultancy, membership, corporate and SME environments. She brings a broad commercial and people-focused perspective, with a particular interest in creating strong cultures, effective leadership and organisations where people can do their best work.

Natalie is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leadership, and holds an MBA with HR, awarded with Distinction.

Emma is a linguist who was educated at the Universities of Liverpool and Birmingham. She was Headmistress of the Royal School Bath from 1994-97 and took up her appointment as Headmistress of Downe House in 1997. She has a great deal of experience as a Governor of a variety of independent Senior and Prep Schools and was a member of the Independent Schools’ Examination Board and was a Trustee of the Prep School Baccalaureate. She was Chair of the Prep Schools Trust, is a Member of GSA, HMC and BSA and a Fellow of the RSA. She is married and has two sons. When time allows, she enjoys travel, the theatre and cinema, and spending time with her family.

Verity Davidge is the Director of Public Affairs at Make UK, representing and championing manufacturing in the UK. She leads in directing the organisation’s policy and government affairs work, raising the profile of manufacturing and ensuring that the views of Make UK’s members are heard by the Government and wider policy makers.  She regularly represents Make UK in the media and in Parliament, appearing before Select Committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups, as well as sitting on Government led boards and advisory groups. She also oversees Make UK’s information and research work, including its annual survey programme and accompanying reports. Prior to this role, Verity led on Make UK’s influential education and skills policy. Previous to working at Make UK, Verity worked at the London Chamber of Commerce and in a public affairs agency. She has a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics as well as an MSc in Public Affairs and Lobbying.

Sue is the first female headteacher of Lichfield Cathedral School – an independent day school in Staffordshire established in 1942 but with a lineage that traces back to the 14th century. She completed a degree in English Language and Literature, studied in part at the University of Innsbruck, Austria; an MA in the Political Economy of the Media Industry, and a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) from Birmingham University. She went on to qualify as a solicitor, then returned to teaching. In 2009, she was recruited to establish a new sixth form at Lichfield Cathedral School where she was made head in 2015. In 2019 she ‘travelled through time’ as the Headteacher in the BBC History Series ‘Back in Time For School’ and can often be seen as an education commentator on television news channels.

Chris Wheeler has been Principal of Monkton Comb in Bath since January 2016. He was elected Vice Chair of HMC for 2019-20 and has served on HMC’s Inspection Sub Committee. He previously served as Principal and CEO at Hillcrest International Schools in Kenya, Headmaster at St Christopher’s, Hove, and has variously been Deputy Head, Housemaster (day and boarding) and Head of English.

In addition to his work at HMC, he is an ISI Team Inspector and a trustee of the Lywood Colley Academy Trust. He has previously served as a Trustee with the Palladian Academy Trust, a member of the Court of the University of Bath, an examiner at GCSE and A-level for both English and Literature and often speaks at churches and chapels across the country.