Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born and grew up in the north of England as the youngest of four children. Due to my father’s work, we moved around every few years and I think this sparked my travel habit. I am married to Nicky who is also a teacher and we have two amazing boys, Laith and Jack. Having worked in Jeddah, Qatar, New York, London, and Riyadh, I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity, through teaching, to travel and see many amazing countries and meet interesting people.
How would family and friends describe you?
Most people come to the conclusion quite quickly that I can’t sit still for very long. I have had a lifelong passion for sports although previous injuries and old age are frustrating me at the moment. I have played rugby, football, athletics, cricket, and even completed a few triathlons over the years. Perhaps it is this energy that helps me to drive for constant improvement at King Faisal School which has grown from strength to strength in recent years.
Who or what have been the strongest influences in your life?
My own and extended family have all influenced my life. I had a very happy childhood growing up in Leeds and every day I hope to build a strong future for my own children. For sure, living and working in Saudi Arabia and other countries has broadened my horizons and given me knowledge that I have learned from to hopefully make good decisions. Professionally, I regularly think about Sir Ken Robinson and his TED Talk “Schools Kill Creativity” which helped frame my leadership of schools for the benefit of students.
What brought you to Riyadh?
A large part of my career and life had been spent in international settings and I really enjoy traveling, meeting interesting people from different backgrounds, and learning about other cultures and ways of life. Having spent seven years back in the UK following fifteen years of life as an expat, I began to get ‘itchy feet’ for the international lifestyle. After my first conversation with the King Faisal Foundation, I saw the potential of King Faisal School and was excited to be part of its continuing improvement.
What led you to your career and how has Saudi Arabia helped you in your career goals?
I grew up in a family of teachers. I am the youngest of my siblings with three older sisters, two of whom are teachers and I always enjoyed school as a child. It was an easy and natural progression to study Education at Birmingham University and head into teaching. In 1996, after three years teaching in an inner-city setting, my wife (also a teacher) and I accepted our second jobs at Jeddah Prep and Grammar School. We had eight wonderful years there and grew as teachers and developed a much more global view of the world. Life in Jeddah opened our eyes to lots of new experiences and as a ‘thank you’ to the Kingdom, we gave our first-born son an Arabic name, Laith.
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far?
Fatherhood, my children never cease to amaze me, sometimes even in a good way!
What do you like most about the DQ?
I like the family feel and the people. Everyone has welcomed me very graciously. Whether it’s through work or socially here in the DQ, people have been extremely generous and happy to help.
What is something you wish the DQ had, but currently doesn’t?
Perhaps one or two community leisure facilities, especially indoor ones, would help individuals and families by providing swimming pools, playing courts or yoga rooms for year-round enjoyment for residents. Along with the opportunities it would provide for our own physical and mental wellbeing, it could provide spaces for coaching children and a coffee shop for parents to watch and socialize.
Any tips/recommendations/advice for your DQ neighbors?
Try everything, at least once!
