A Message from the Chairman of the Board
Dear LANNA Community,
We are delighted to welcome Mr Neil Matthews as the new Head of School at LANNA. With over 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership across the UK and internationally, Neil brings a wealth of expertise to our community. Most recently, he served as Principal of a leading international academy in Abu Dhabi, where his leadership earned the school prestigious accolades. His extensive background includes senior roles in the UK and the Middle East, a strong commitment to academic excellence, and a passion for fostering a collaborative learning environment. We are confident that under his leadership, LANNA will continue to thrive.
We also want to thank Mr Rob Stewart for his outstanding service in leading LANNA. We are delighted that he has agreed to remain on the Executive Board to assist LANNA in its transition and continue to offer his services to support the school and team in its next stage of development.
Please join me in welcoming Mr Neil to Chiang Mai.
Warm regards,
Dr Howard Stribbell
Chairman of the Board
ABOUT NEIL
We are excited to introduce Neil Matthews as the new Head of School at Lanna International School in Thailand. With over 30 years of experience in teaching and school leadership across the UK and internationally, Neil brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community. Most recently, Neil served as the Principal of a premium international academy in Abu Dhabi, where he successfully led a vibrant community of over 1,300 students. Under his leadership, the school earned prestigious accolades, including re-accreditation as an ‘Apple Distinguished School’ and an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in the UAE National Identity Evaluation in 2023.
Neil’s impressive career, spanning 26 years of leadership in UK and international schools, includes significant experience as a Head of School in England before moving abroad to lead premium international English curriculum schools. His career includes roles such as Principal & CEO of GEMS Wellington Academy in Dubai, recognised for remarkable improvements within the GEMS network, and being an accredited International Evaluator for the Council of International Schools (CIS). Holding a Bachelor of Education and an NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) from the UK, Neil is currently pursuing an MBA in Educational Leadership, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and educational excellence.
He is passionate about high-quality teaching and designing diverse curricula that equip students for future challenges. As a motivational and inspirational leader, Neil is dedicated to empowering our teaching staff and fostering a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement, excellence in the classroom, and a harmonious school-home relationship. Outside of school, he enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with his son, who is currently studying for an International Business Management degree in the UK, and his daughter, who works for Emirates Airline in Dubai. We look forward to the positive impact Neil will make on our community!