Her father was a wine shipper
and her mother was a pioneer as a female entrepreneur in the 1970s, running a catering business which gave the young Fiona a good grounding in people
skills and
crisis management. “Running your own business as
a woman was unusual at this time, so she was a great role model for a working mother,” Fiona says. “It was a very ‘hands on’ childhood. Learning that customer service experience
invaluable.” She took a gap year after school
and then studied for an MA in History of Art and Management Science at
Andrews. She married as soon as she graduated and went
the University of St to
work for Jones Lang Wootton in Australia, with her new husband, who was a teacher. “That
was an amazing
experience, going to live in another country and figuring out married life and living and working so far from home. My story is quite unusual because I got married at 22 and I had four children under the age of six by the time I was 30. My early years were all about family and child raising and I wouldn't change that for a minute. I always felt
that I would have my career
later and, fortunately, that's how it's turned out to be.” On returning to the UK, her
husband became headmaster of Milton Abbey School in Dorset, and Fiona became head of history of art, taking pupils on school trips to Europe to see the galleries. Her understanding of how
schools work, what makes a good educational
experience, and the
important of preparing children for university and later life was honed during these years.
EDUCATION & SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST In 2010, her husband’s job moved the family to Dubai, where he became head of Repton School in Nad al Sheba. At the same time, Fiona became the first female
president of the Rugbeian Society, a role of which she is very proud and which involved focusing on fundraising among the
alumni
and developing an internship programme to give young alumni opportunities for work experience. While she was in the Middle East, she was approached for a role as education consultant and became
director early on has been of Gabbitas
Education before moving to Carfax five years later. “I realised I knew a huge amount
about schools and about parents and education generally, so it was exactly my skillset,” she explains. She set up the Middle East branch of Gabbitas and grew the business, increasing revenue and reach. She then moved to Carfax, where she helps families across a variety of educational sectors. “Navigating the
driving forwards a demanding career, but
there are plenty of
opportunities to explore later in life. “I started my fully fledged
career at the age of 50, and I've really enjoyed it because I have the maturity and the wisdom and confidence that I have gained over many years of lived experience,” she
says. “For the clients I
work with, that experience and practical guidance, knowing that I have raised a family and been deeply immersed in education from a personal and professional perspective, is very reassuring.” Fiona has been
recognised
as a top education adviser by Spears and as the chief editor for the
leading international educational
landscape, especially on a global basis, can be challenging for families and it can be a quite terrifying experience to have to start picking schools and education pathways for your child,” she says. “They look to us for advice on how to plan out their education, what sort of education roadmap they need to be considering. We are here to guide and mentor on that journey and to provide our expertise,” she says. Many of the families from her
global client base want to send their children to UK universities and top academic
institutions in Europe and the US.
LEADERSHIP STYLE & FEMALE CAREERS Fiona describes her leadership style as “very collaborative” and thrives on cooperation and teamwork. For women in particular, it is important to be aware that often our careers are
not linear, but
that moving sideways to gain new skills and experiences can be useful in the long run. “Be open to opportunities and take a risk in your career because that way you progress and grow.” She says it is hard for women with a young family to deliver on
“ I STARTED MY FULLY FLEDGED CAREER AT THE AGE OF 50, AND I'VE REALLY ENJOYED IT BECAUSE I HAVE THE MATURITY AND THE WISDOM AND CONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE GAINED OVER MANY YEARS OF LIVED EXPERIENCE.”
83 schools
guide, ‘The Schools Index’. She is regularly invited to chair panels and contribute to the media on education matters.
THINK WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
