HMC/AISL International Leadership Conference - Friday 15 - Sunday 17 May 2026 (Harrow International School Bangkok)
This conference is for current and aspiring leaders of independent schools in South East Asia and China
Description
The conference fee is inclusive of accommodation, catering and all conference materials.
We warmly invite you to register for the International Leadership Conference at Harrow International School Bangkok and to join colleagues from across the region for thoughtful discussion, professional growth, and networking.
Book your place now to take advantage of our multiple bookings discount and bring along your colleagues:
NB: Discounts will not appear on your booking confirmation email but the discount will be applied at point of invoice.
Rates are:
£799 for 1 delegate/school
£749 for 2 delegates/school
£699 for 3 delegates/school
A day delegate package is also available; for all enquiries for the day delegate package please email: hisb@harrowschool.ac.th
Invoicing will be managed by Harrow International School Bangkok (HISB). Delegates will have the option to be invoiced in GBP, USD or THB. After registration, HISB will be in touch to confirm your preferred billing currency.
Conference Programme
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Time |
Session |
Room |
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Friday 15 May 2026 |
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19.00 -21:00 |
Welcome Drinks Reception with canapés Delegates not staying at The Sukhothai may register and collect their Conference Lanyards on entry
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The Colonnade, The Sukhothai Hotel |
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Saturday 16 May 2026 |
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07.00 – 08.00 |
Breakfast |
The Sukhothai Hotel |
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08.00
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Depart Hotel |
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08.45 |
Registration / Networking Delegates arriving Saturday morning may register and collect their Conference Lanyards on entry |
Harrow International School Bangkok |
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09.00 -09.15 |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speakers: James Murphy-O'Connor, Head Master, Harrow International School Bangkok Dr Rosanna Wong, Chairman of Asia International School Limited Ruth Sanderson, Head of International Member Services at HMC
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QEII |
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09.15 – 10.20 |
Keynote 1: Winning Body Language for Leaders In this dynamic keynote, Mark shows how body language can be used for greater presence and clarity, to win trust, gain credibility, and be more influential and persuasive—helping others to make confident decisions on next steps. Delegates will gain skills to better connect with different people and personalities in a range of settings and situations, and to translate complex ideas into simple, clear narratives that support effective communication. Speaker: Mark Bowden, founder of TRUTHPLANE and Communication and Body Language Expert Chair: Charles Ellison, Director of Education at Asia International School Limited |
QEII |
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10:20 – 10.50 |
Refreshment break |
RLC |
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10.50 - 11.35 |
Carousels: Session 1
1A: Placing Professional Development at the Heart of School Improvement
Speaker: Prof. Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development, Evidence-Based Education, and creator of The Great Teaching Toolkit
1B: The Changing Landscape of International Education
International education is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by shifting geopolitics, evolving student expectations, technological disruption, and increased scrutiny. This session explores the key forces redefining the global education landscape and what they mean for schools and the students they serve. The session will also consider how factors such as visa policies, affordability, and global competition are influencing decision-making for families.
Speaker: David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director, Boarding Schools Association/TIOB
What does it mean to be a 21st century school leader in a complex and fast changing educational landscape? Drawing on extensive experience of senior leadership appointments across the independent and international school sector, this session will explore the characteristics associated with effective school leadership, including values led decision making, breadth of experience, and sustainable leadership under pressure. It will also provide insight into recruitment and selection for senior roles, including what interview panels are really looking for and why authenticity and values alignment increasingly matter.
Speaker: Freddie Dennis, Partner and Head, Schools Practice, Odgers
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R007/8
R006
R002 |
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11.35 – 11.40 |
Movement to next Carousel Session
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11.40 - 12:25 |
Carousels: Session 2
2A: Leading Society‑Shaping Impact, and How it Transforms Outcomes for Pupils
School leaders who look beyond their gates and actively shape their wider communities don’t just ‘add value’, they create the conditions for exceptional student outcomes. When leaders forge deep partnerships, influence local systems, and champion social change, they expand the ecosystem around their school, and students thrive within it.
Speaker: Tim Dalton, Director of Shaftesbury Enterprise at Harrow School, London
What does it mean to be a 21st century school leader in a complex and fast changing educational landscape? Drawing on extensive experience of senior leadership appointments across the independent and international school sector, this session will explore the characteristics associated with effective school leadership, including values led decision making, breadth of experience, and sustainable leadership under pressure. It will also provide insight into recruitment and selection for senior roles, including what interview panels are really looking for and why authenticity and values alignment increasingly matter.
Speaker: Freddie Dennis, Partner and Head, Schools Practice, Odgers
2C: Authentic Leadership in an International Context
Authentic Leadership in an International Context: Radical Engagement and Empowerment. We will explore how we have built upon leading research to create radical new ways to lead cultural change, build a shared school vision, and empower, channel and support classroom teachers and middle leaders to lead whole school change.
Speakers: Dr Michael Reddish, Deputy Headmaster & Emma Rickard, Director of Teaching and Learning, Harrow International School, Bangkok
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R002
R007/8
R006 |
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12.25 – 13.15 |
Lunch
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Dining Hall |
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13.15 – 14.20 |
Keynote 2: How Leaders Affect Outcomes for Pupils Speaker: Prof.Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development, Evidence-Based Education, and creator of The Great Teaching Toolkit Chair: Dr Ahmed Hussain, Chief Education Officer at Asia International School Limited |
QEII |
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14.25 - 15.10 |
Carousels: Session 3
3A: The Changing Landscape of International Education
International education is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by shifting geopolitics, evolving student expectations, technological disruption, and increased scrutiny. This session explores the key forces redefining the global education landscape and what they mean for schools and the students they serve. The session will also consider how factors such as visa policies, affordability, and global competition are influencing decision-making for families.
Speaker: David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director, Boarding Schools Association/TIOB
3B: Lumina: Changing the Lives of Vulnerable Children.
Lumina was created with a bold ambition: to transform the life chances of vulnerable young people through personalised tutoring and meaningful mentorship for children in care. In this session, I’ll share how this sector‑leading programme came to life: its design, its evolution, and the profound impact it has had on both the young people we serve and on Harrow School itself.
Speaker: Tim Dalton, Director of Shaftesbury Enterprise at Harrow School
3C: Making Your Communication Count Following on from Mark's keynote, this interactive and practical workshop will give delegates an excellent opportunity to try out the techniques introduced in the keynote and further build on them. The group is encouraged to bring their most pressing questions around communication, and Mark will help everyone to effectively integrate the new techniques into varying circumstances to best address their challenges, and ultimately cement their ability to build trust and gain credibility every time they speak.
Speaker: Mark Bowden, founder, TRUTHPLANE and Communication and Body Language Expert
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R007/8
R002
R006 |
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15.10 – 15.25 |
Refreshment Break |
RLC |
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15.25 – 16.10 |
Carousels: Session 4
4A: Authentic Leadership in an International context
Authentic Leadership in an International Context: Radical Engagement and Empowerment. We will explore how we have built upon leading research to create radical new ways to lead cultural change, build a shared school vision, and empower, channel and support classroom teachers and middle leaders to lead whole school change.
Speakers: Dr Michael Reddish, Deputy Headmaster, & Emma Rickard, Director of Teaching and Learning, Harrow International School, Bangkok
4B: Making Your Communication Count
Following on from Mark's keynote, this interactive and practical workshop will give delegates an excellent opportunity to try out the techniques introduced in the keynote and further build on them. The group is encouraged to bring their most pressing questions around communication, and Mark will help everyone to effectively integrate the new techniques into varying circumstances to best address their challenges, and ultimately cement their ability to build trust and gain credibility every time they speak.
Speaker: Mark Bowden, founder, TRUTHPLANE and Communication and Body Language Expert
4C: Placing Professional Development at the Heart of School Improvement Speaker: Prof. Rob Coe, Director of Research and Development, Evidence-Based Education, and creator of The Great Teaching Toolkit
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R006
R007/8
R002 |
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16.20 |
Return to Hotel
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17.00-18.00 |
Free Time |
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18.00 – 18.30 |
Drinks Reception
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The Ballroom Foyer, The Sukhothai Hotel |
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18.30 |
Conference Dinner Speaker: Jaideep Barot, HMC Vice Chair and Headmaster, Bristol Grammar School |
The Ballroom, The Sukhothai Hotel |
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Sunday 17 May 2026 |
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07.00 – 08.00 |
Breakfast |
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08.00 |
Depart Hotel
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08.55-09:45 |
International Heads Panel Discussion
This session will feature a panel of experienced heads from across the region who will share their expertise on the International Education Market and where they think it is heading.
Chair: Jaideep Barot, HMC Vice-Chair and Headmaster, Bristol Grammar School.
Speakers:
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QEII |
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09:45-10:15 |
Refreshments |
RLC |
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10:15-11:20 |
Keynote 3: Accelerating Leadership Growth: Aligning Your Compass, Your Lens and Your Bridge What if the key to greater leadership impact isn't adding more to your toolkit - but seeing more clearly what's already driving how you lead? In this interactive closing keynote, Dr Robinson-Tomek applies the LIFE Model™ framework for understanding how your Mindset, Insight, and Rapport shape the way you navigate Confidence, Conditions, and Conversations. Drawing together threads from across the weekend, delegates will leave with actionable insight to enhance how they connect with, and lead, those around them - starting Monday morning. Speaker: Dr Elicia Robinson-Tomek, UN Leadership Specialist & Coaching Psychologist Chair: James Murphy-O'Connor, Head Master, Harrow International School Bangkok
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QEII |
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11:20-11:30 |
Closing Remarks Speaker: Charles Ellison, Director of Education at Asia International School Limited
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QEII |
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11:30-12:30 |
Optional School Tour / Takeaway Lunch |
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12:30-13:30 |
Lunch |
RLC |
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13:30 |
Buses depart to airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) |
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