Leading With Experience
and Ambition

David has served as Group Chief Executive Officer since 2018, leading the Group’s transformation into a Global education provider, consistently achieving the highest regulatory ratings while delivering exceptional outcomes for pupils. Under David’s leadership, the Group has successfully expanded its proposition to deliver high-quality education that meets learners wherever they are and whatever their ability, whether through digital, specialist or inclusive independent education, ensuring access to high-quality inclusive education for more pupils around the world.

As Chief Strategy & Investment Officer, Richard has played a pivotal role in driving the Group’s organic growth and strategic acquisitions, helping to establish the Group as one of the UK’s leading education providers that is consistently outperforming competitors. With over 15 years’ experience in the education services sector, Richard now leads the Group’s international strategy, working to expand its global footprint and replicate its model of excellence in new markets to ensure more pupils across all abilities have access to high-quality education.

Mel Hobson is Chief People Officer at OFG Education, where she leads the Group’s people strategy, organisational design and leadership development, supporting continued growth and international expansion. With more than 25 years’ international experience across private equity, technology, financial services and high-growth organisations, she specialises in aligning people, culture and operating models with business strategy. Before joining OFG, Mel worked with TPG Rise Climate, helping portfolio businesses strengthen leadership, organisational effectiveness and performance. She is passionate about building high-performing organisations, creating the capabilities, cultures and leadership needed to deliver sustainable growth and exceptional outcomes.

With over 25 years of experience in education, Mike has led work to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), across education, children’s services and system-level reform. Since joining OFG in 2017 as Chief Education and Quality Officer, Mike is responsible for the quality of education for over 11.500 pupils globally. His work focuses on ensuring that provision is consistently high-quality, evidence-informed and responsive to need, enabling strong and sustained outcomes for all pupils.

Jean-Luc has served as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2012, playing a key role in growing the organisation from 12 specialist schools into a global education group supporting pupils with a wide range of needs. His leadership has helped expand access to high-quality provision, improving outcomes for more children and young people.

With an early background advising Local and Central Government on healthcare and education, he brings a strong focus on quality, access and effective service delivery. He has consistently driven sustainable growth, ensuring expansion is underpinned by high standards and a clear commitment to delivering positive outcomes for all pupils.

An experienced executive, Richard has a strong track record of leading complex organisations across diverse sectors and international markets. Since joining in 2018, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the Group’s education provision and shaping its strategic direction.

Known for his personable approach, Richard focuses on delivering high-quality outcomes whilst empowering teams to perform at their best. He is passionate about continuous improvement, driving sustainable growth and ensuring the organisation consistently makes a meaningful impact.

Guillermo Torres is Chief Executive Officer of OFG Education Iberia, leading the Group’s growth and educational strategy across Spain and Portugal. With more than 15 years’ international leadership experience, he has held senior roles spanning education, technology and organisational transformation. Previously Group CEO of SEK Education Group, he led its global strategy and international expansion. His career also includes executive leadership at African Leadership University and IESE Business School, alongside earlier roles with A.T. Kearney, Amazon EU and Orange. An engineer with an MBA from IESE, Guillermo is also the author of The Human Advantage, exploring the role of human intelligence in an AI-driven world.

Mark Whitfield is Chief Executive Officer of OFG Education – GCC, leading the Group’s growth and educational strategy across the Gulf. With more than 30 years’ international experience across the UK, Middle East and Africa, he has held senior executive, school leadership and consultancy roles, supporting education organisations through growth, transformation and improvement. Mark has extensive expertise in school development, acquisitions, operational leadership and educational quality, having worked with leading international education groups including Nord Anglia Education and International Schools Partnership. He is committed to creating high-performing, inclusive schools where every learner can make meaningful progress and achieve their full potential.

Professor Barry Carpenter CBE is the UK’s first Professor of Mental Health in Education and a leading authority on special education, mental health and inclusion. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he has held senior leadership roles across education and has shaped national policy, research and practice.

Awarded both an OBE and CBE, Barry is widely recognised for his lifelong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

Professor Francesca Happé CBE is a leading authority on autism, with more than 30 years of research exploring social understanding, cognitive differences and mental health across the autism spectrum. Her work has advanced understanding of under-researched groups, including autistic women and older adults.

A Fellow of the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences, Francesca has received numerous honours, including a CBE for services to the study of autism.

Freya is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Outcomes First Group, with more than 20 years’ experience across education, health and social care. She is recognised for her leadership in developing neurodiversity-affirming approaches and improving outcomes for neurodivergent children and young people through evidence-based practice and system change.

Combining clinical expertise, research insight and a strong commitment to lived experience, Freya continues to influence national conversations around inclusive education and support for neurodivergent learners.

Professor Mary Louise Hemmeter, PhD, is Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and a recognised expert in social and emotional development, effective instruction and teacher coaching. Her research has helped shape evidence-based approaches to supporting young children’s social and emotional competence, including the development of the Pyramid Model.

Mary Louise has led numerous federally funded research projects and is widely respected for her contribution to early childhood special education.

Dame Christine Lenehan DBE has dedicated more than 35 years to improving services for disabled children and young people. Beginning her career as a social worker, she has played a significant role in shaping national policy and practice across education, health and care.

Recognised with an OBE in 2009 and a Damehood in 2016, Christine continues to influence SEND reform through her work as a national advisor and advocate for learners and families.

Ritu Kumar has over 25 years of international experience in sustainability, impact and environmental and social governance. She has held senior leadership roles at British International Investment, Actis and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, advising organisations on responsible growth and long-term value creation.

With extensive board experience, Ritu continues to support companies, investment funds and not-for-profit organisations on sustainability strategy and practice.

Dr André Imich OBE served as the Department for Education’s SEN and Disability Professional Adviser for 14 years, advising ministers on improving outcomes for young people with SEND. He has held leadership roles across national and local government and worked as both an educational psychologist and teacher.

Awarded an OBE in 2022, André is widely recognised for his contribution to SEND policy and practice.

Dr Rebecca Lawton has been a leader of schools for over 20 years spanning all ages and both mainstream and special provision. She has inspected for Ofsted and Estyn and was a senior examiner for multiple exam boards and for Ofqual. Her doctorate in inspection practice covers not only the UK but international quality mechanisms and monitoring systems. She is OFG’s nominated proprietor for early years and nurseries and advises the government on education and childcare.