Welcome to Abitas Group

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.

Nicola joined Abitas Group in September 2024 as Head of Marketing Communications, having previously worked for a global educational charity in various event management, business development and marketing roles. During this time she worked closely with several schools – both independent and state – to help young people access a career in financial services. She is passionate about effective communication and lifelong learning.

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.

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.

Lily joined Abitas Group in October 2022, as Communications Executive. Providing communication and administrative support across the group. Lily worked in the HNW financial industry for four years in the Channel Islands and UK, as Communications and events coordinator. Achieving her CIM Level 6 Diploma in Digital Marketing in 2022, Lily is highly organised and efficient when it comes to communicating and supporting the group.

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.

Laura has joined Abitas Group and is deeply dedicated to the field of education, boasting a distinguished career spanning over 17 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.

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. 

Oscar joined Abitas Group in January 2026 as Business Support Executive. Prior to joining the team, Oscar gained experience in retail management before working as a Legal Assistant in residential conveyancing. At Abitas Group, Oscar specialises in supporting the legal team – managing Child Student Visa applications, conducting compliance file reviews for named sponsor clients and providing legal administration – whilst also supporting the wider Group with business operations and administration.

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.

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.

Lisa brings a mountain of enthusiasm and commitment to The Athena Programme.  Her reputation for her vivacious personality and enthusiasm go before her making her popular with all our customers for her breadth of knowledge and ability to inject fun, humour and fascination into our training.

A retired Detective Sergeant with over 9 years experience in the investigation of child and vulnerable adult abuse cases, Lisa continues to champion Safeguarding. She sees it as her mission in life to improve the lives of children and vulnerable adults, making safeguarding solutions and outcomes sustainable.  ‘It’s not just a 9-5 job, safeguarding is in my blood’ she says.

In 2002 Lisa was part of a multi-agency team that visited Michigan USA to investigate a ground breaking way of dealing with child protection risks whilst allowing the child to remain within the household. She was instrumental in replicating the same model in Blackburn where the framework was adapted to fit local requirements.  Lisa is proud that ‘The Blackburn Family Regeneration Project’ still runs today.

Writing the first Lancashire Constabulary ‘Investigation of Vulnerable Adult Abuse Policy’ made Lisa a leader in her field.  The document received National acclaim as ‘good practice’ by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and on her retirement Lisa was awarded a Police Commendation for her outstanding work in Safeguarding.

Lisa has been a leading member of the Athena team since 2009 delivering a portfolio of training and consultancy services. Her wide-ranging investigative experience provides the ‘reality factor’ in Athena’s safeguarding training delivery and consultancy, and her early enthusiasm for training police recruits lends a captivating edge to her training.

Lisa new role as grandmother in 2016 has provided a new and sometimes ‘tiring’ challenge. Her ‘hands on’ approach to grand parenting has provided her with more energy than ever to deliver the safeguarding agenda in her own inevitable way.

Rebecca joined Abitas Group in June 2026 as Executive Assistant, providing dedicated support to the COO/Deputy CEO and wider leadership team. She brings a strong background in executive and office management, having previously worked across a range of sectors including renewables and the events industry.

Known for her proactive approach and attention to detail, Rebecca thrives in fast-paced environments where no two days are the same. Outside of work, she is a run club leader for She Strides, a women’s running community she runs across multiple locations in Hampshire.

Gavin is Head of Millfield Schools. Gavin joined Millfield from Worksop College, where he delivered academic turnaround. His earlier career included working in schools in Sri Lanka and Argentina before he returned to the UK as the Deputy Rector of The Glasgow Academy.  Gavin has worked in senior management in the maintained, independent, and international sectors.

In his time at Millfield, Gavin’s passion for encouraging students to be disruptors for good has resulted in students taking on active roles in multiple school, national and world-wide issues.

In his own words, Gavin took on the role at Millfield as the school is, ‘distinctively different and not shackled by tradition. It has the resource, the attitude and the capacity to lead the way and define education in the UK, now and in the future’.

Gavin was educated at a boarding school as the recipient of an assisted place and bursary. He believes this education transformed his life chances, for the better! He sees first-hand the positive transformative impact of boarding on lives at Millfield and across the sector.

In addition, Gavin is a member of the Board of Governors, and Chair of the Education Committee, at another leading independent school.

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.