Governance comprises the Board of Directors (Board).
The Board includes the owners and an independent member. It is involved in all strategic areas including the school’s philosophy and objectives, policies, appointment and review of the leadership team, managing key relationships, ensuring quality infrastructure, resources and financial stability.
Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair - Chairman
Abdulla is an UAE national and a third generation member of a prominent business family. He brings an acute understanding of local culture and business acumen to organizations. His interests span marketing services, education, contracting, building materials, retailing and ceramic tiles manufacturing. Abdulla also serves on the boards of Majid Al Futtaim Real Estate and is the Chairman of BPG Group, a leading marketing solutions provider in the MENA region.
H.E. Dr. Gargash Anwar - Director
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs of the UAE. Having taught political science for over a decade at the UAE University, he has a long and rich background in academics. He is also a member of several government and advisory boards. He was, until recently, the Executive Director of Gargash Enterprises, the authorised dealers for Mercedes-Benz in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Earlier in his career, Dr. Gargash studied political science at the George Washington University in Washington DC, USA and got his doctorate from King's College, Cambridge University, UK.
Avishesha (Avi) Bhojani - Managing Director
Avi's 40+ year career spans Marketing Services, Media, Education, Private Equity, Real Estate Direct Investments and Government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Avi has also assisted in the conceptualization and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas).
An Alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is also the Managing Director of Innoventures Education the operators of Dubai International Academy and various Raffles Schools & nurseries etc.; General Partner of AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner/ Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. Avi has held several Board positions including the Founding Boards of Endeavor UAE and International Institute of Tolerance.
Avi is widely recognized as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognized by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company.
Avishesha (Avi) Bhojani
Avi's 40+ year career spans Marketing Services, Media, Education, Private Equity, Real Estate Direct Investments and Government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Avi has also assisted in the conceptualization and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas).
An Alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is also the Managing Director of Innoventures Education the operators of Dubai International Academy and various Raffles Schools & nurseries etc.; General Partner of AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner/ Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. Avi has held several Board positions including the Founding Boards of Endeavor UAE and International Institute of Tolerance.
Avi is widely recognized as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognized by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company.
Alan Egbert
Alan has been a Teacher, Teacher Educator, Educational Consultant, and currently is General Manager of the Australian Council for Educational, Dubai office and is responsible for the direction of a wide national and international programs in the UAE and Middle East region. He has extensive experience in working with schools and developing effective assessment programs for students and schools. Alan is currently also Project Director for the UAE National Assessment Program (UAENAP 2015). He is also a parent at DIA.
Ben Bailey
Ben has worked for the University of Birmingham since 2015, currently as its Campus Director and moved to Dubai in January 2018. Ben’s early career was in social care with local authorities in the UK after graduating from the University of Nottingham. He has held senior roles in Student Services in UK universities for over 15 years and was also formerly Chair of the UK’s national Student Services organization, AMOSSHE. Ben has also held significant partnership roles with national Higher Education bodies on areas of national policy and strategy affecting Student Services. Alongside professional life Ben was a Governor of an Independent Day School in the UK for 7 years and was the Chair of its Governing Board. Ben believes in the transformative power of education and research and the positive impact it can have on improving outcomes for people. His professional and voluntary work has been dedicated to enabling people to reach their potential.
Poonam Bhojani
Poonam is an Economics Honours Graduate with an MBA from India's premier business school, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Prior to envisioning and cofounding Dubai International Academy, Poonam has had significant industry experience working on leading edge technology solutions with a range of organizations across India, Hong Kong, USA, Belgium, Sweden, The Netherlands, Oman and UAE. She is the CEO of Innoventures Education and has served as the President of the Middle East IB Association of Schools and is the Secretary of the Dubai Private Schools Group.
Michael Stephen
Michael is the Director, Finance & Administration at Innoventures Education. He is a Chartered Accountant and has a Diploma in Portfolio Management with over 20 years' experience in consulting and industry. He was part of the core team of Innoventures Education that set up Dubai International Academy in 2005. Michael started his career in an accounting firm focused on audit, tax, corporate law, and business and investment advisory services. He is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, UK and has been on the faculty of a business school in Dubai.