Brief us about the inception of your career? What were your ambitions as a teenager?
I was born on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia and like most youth at the coast had a love of sport and the outdoors. Australian Rules Football and Golf were my passions and as a teenager I soon reached the elite level in both. I represented my state as a schoolboy footballer and I was also a single figure handicap golfer. Torn between both sports I see-sawed between the two before finally focussing on my professional career and a decision to become a teacher. My ambitions were easily summarised however as having a very determined work ethic and an ambition to be the very best I could be in something that I had a passion for. As an educator I saw the potential to have significant impact on others and to develop young people through my craft as a communicator, coach and mentor.
From an early age I became a student of leadership and personal development and have spent my life focussed on self improvement as well as developing the potential in others.
From a humble and working class background to now operating a global company. To visiting 63 countries of the world and leading projects in most regions.
What are the aims and ideals that guide you as you run your company?
Our company was founded with very strong beliefs and values that we should bring the highest quality of education to all corners of the globe. We wanted to bring equitable access and to find ways that we could maximise impact. Education does not teach young people what to think however it helps young people to become informed decision makers who can, with the greatest skills, knowledge and abilities, create impact.
Our company sets up and operates schools on behalf of investors and developers. We also work with schools that plan to expand overseas as well as existing school groups. We have the team and the expertise internationally that most investors and schools don’t have.
We have led education projects in 16 countries including setting up schools, managing schools as well as teacher training and development. We do market research and feasibility studies, business planning and financial modelling. We are a full service, one stop shop for new and existing schools. We launch but also improve educational institutions.
As an innovative leader, how do you manage to inspire your team to innovate and think outside the box?
I believe that innovation is an essential quality for this and future generations. Innovation happens when we refuse to accept that an obstacle is too big and also with a belief that there is a better or different way. Innovators find new solutions by automatically assuming there is an alternative way. It is only when the status quo is ruled out that we can see unique solutions.
I tend to say “yes we can” by default and then find the way. I refuse to accept that there is not a way or a new way, a better way and a path towards best practice.
I am very down to earth. I don’t have a personal assistant. I make my own coffee and I don’t expect anyone to do anything that I am not prepared to do myself. I share knowledge and skills with others and hope that by developing others skills that we all benefit as a team. I learn from others as much as they might potentially learn from me.
I have a very strong focus on being authentic and living a life of integrity. My word is my honour and I will always set out to under promise but over deliver. You just can’t fake quality and you can’t fake authenticity. I play the long game. I want to build long term relationships and organisations that are sustainable. There is no ego. Results and outcomes prove themselves.
What were challenges and obstacles you faced along the way?
We launched our company outside our own respective home countries. We were launching an enterprise in unique and challenging cultural contexts. Our determination refused to allow us to see the obvious challenges but now in hindsight we realise how unique our plan was. To create a global company that sets up and operates schools in many countries, other than our own is incredibly difficult. Navigating the relationships and learning to change education paradigms is an enormous challenge. We created unique skills in our ability to understand different cultures both to manage a successful business as well as deliver curriculum, teaching and learning in unique contexts.
We first launched our company with projects in India and China. As humble educators from Australia and America we now look back on how extraordinary this was. We worked very hard and never heard the negatives. I cannot tell you those stories that others share where friends and colleagues said “you are crazy and that can’t be done.” I guess they either believed in us too or I just didn’t hear them.
What sets your company apart from the rest of the market? Do you believe in diversifying?
Our company has a reputation in being niche in the market. We have developed the abilities to be both international education experts as well as international business specialists. Rarely can leaders or companies do both very well. Education and business are considered quite different fields however we are described by many as the invaluable bridge between them. Educators are often wary of for-profit schools believing that they are too commercially focussed. While educators rarely understand business. We often say that “Without money there is no mission. Without Mission there is n money.” Both are incredibly important.
We have always focussed on maintaining that balance. We understand all curriculums and best practise in teaching methodology. We understand business, marketing and operations.
We are innovators and out of the box thinkers but we filter all new ideas and directions on the guiding question of “Will this new idea, technology, strategy or service accelerate outcomes for children.” If it does not pass this simple test then we push it aside. We focus on data and evidence to guide decision making. Proof of concept and proof of success is very important.
Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person and organisation?
We have been fortunate to be recognised individually and collectively as a company with many awards.
Individual Awards:
- In 2007 I was awarded the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership as one of the the highest performing Principals in Queensland, Australia.
- 2006 Regional Showcase Award for Industry and Community Partnerships
- 2005 – Regional Showcase Award for Leadership
- 2005 – ICT Innovation Award and grant for innovative and flexible curriculum delivery
GSE as a company:
- Award Winner – Top Ten Best Education Solutions (2018)
- Award Winner – Best Global Brand in International Education (2016)
- Award Winner – Best Global Brand in Secondary and Vocational Training (2015)
- Award Winner – Asia Pacific Corporate and Social Responsibility Award in Education (2015)
Partner and Co-founder, Shanna Parry:
- Business Woman in Education to Watch, Leadership (2022)
- Most Successful Businesswoman to Watch (2021)
- Top 30 Global Guru in Education (2019, 2018)
Where do you see your organisation in the years to come? How do plan to respond to the lows that followed the pandemic?
We plan to have schools operating under our management brand in all major continents and regions of the world. By 2030 we expect to have 20 schools operated by GSE across several regions but concentrating on Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
We decided several years ago that our mission was to become the voice of international education. We wanted to be the company that people come to when they need specialist expertise and best practice in the field of setting up and operating international schools. “The loudest and most respected voice in the room.”
We have published more than 200+ articles on all areas of international education. It was always a strategy to intentionally give back to others but also to “walk the walk.” There is no sense just telling people that you are the market leader. You must genuinely show people. Our articles have become an essential resource for others and they demonstrate our elite and exceptional knowledge in the key areas that are important for setting up and managing schools well.
The pandemic was a challenge however we actually launched several new projects and schools during that time. Clients needed our expertise and although travel was a barrier we successfully started several new schools under the challenging circumstances and without the ability to travel and meet in person. Out global reach expanded with very high numbers of enquiries and an extraordinary number of investors, developers and clients engaging us in their early planning. As the pandemic implications began to ease our new projects are now launching out of a gate that was very ready to be open.
We also know that to maximise our impact through education we must improve the quality of teaching delivery. That must include teacher training. We are set to launch expanded teacher training and development programs but ons that are truly impactful. They are programs that are sustainable and deliver genuine reform and change. Sadly most training, conferences and workshops have little impact beyond the coffee and cakes at break time. We have developed training systems that deliver on the investment.
What is your advice to budding entrepreneurs who wish to kick start their careers?
Firstly you need to find something that excites you and that you are passionate about.Then you need to become the very best you can be at that.
You need to find good mentors. Not just one but several. Learn all that you can from others. Test and apply these things in your own way. Discard ideas and skills that don’t match but concentrate and focus on the areas that you find have the greatest impact for you.
Be patient but consistent. Success happens in waves but not in response to small inconsistent efforts. When you least expect it the large waves will carry you to places you may never have predicted.
