Governing Board Elections 2024

Biographical Data

Patrick is a Maltese, British, Australian national that has lived in Geneva on and off for most of his life.

He is an alumni of La Chataigneraie class of 2010, and as a fun fact, every decade since 1970 there has been a member of his direct family at one of the Ecolint campuses.

Currently as a Regional Director for Benevity, a tech Unicorn in the CSR space, he works on connecting global businesses to charities all around the world. His current focus being UKI and the DACH region.

Before returning to Geneva he worked in London in legal tech at CrowdJustice and in Human Rights and Consumer law at Leigh Day. He holds an LLB and an LLM in International law which he read at Durham and UCL respectively.

Beyond work Patrick's enjoys tennis, skiing, hiking, and golf (when golf likes him back), alongside his cherished roles as dog dad and husband to his pregnant wife.

What does Ecolint mean to you?

Ecolint is and has been integral to my past, present and future.

For my past - growing up in a country where neither of your parents are from, Ecolint represented a community where as kids we could simply and easily belong, without question.

For my present - Ecolint is the origin of my own family; where I met my wife over 20 years ago!

For my future - Ecolint represents where my children will learn to be global citizens and grow to be the best versions of themselves.

What skills/expertise can you bring to the School?

I have subject matter expertise in relation to CSR, ESG, DEI, Sustainability, impact measurement and employee engagement.

My career experience lies primarily in the application of tech to forge and strengthen corporate social responsibility and sustainability in multinational organisations around the world.

I work for an organisation in the tech industry. What this means in practice is that in order to stay relevant, competitive and continue to grow or scale successfully we are obliged to be early adopters of new working trends and any relevant technology. Consider topics like employee engagement, DEI or sustainability - and technologies such as AI in the workplace.

As such I am able to take this practical knowledge and distill any elements that are be relevant to the Governing board. I provide a current vantage point filled with insights into what a huge proportion worlds economy, in particular the private sector, are expecting from future recruits - namely the job market into which our students are headed.

Furthermore, I also offer a unique perspective as someone who has been through the Ecolint schooling system myself - as such I am well placed to as someone who understands the strengths and weaknesses of the system and its ability to prepare students for adulthood.

Understanding that the Governing Board focuses on long-range and strategic issues, and not specific management, personnel, or curricular issues, how would you support the Ecolint Mission if you were elected to the Governing Board?

I have sat on the leadership team of an early stage tech start-up, a tech scale-up and now currently of a tech Unicorn (+$1bn valuation).

My area of expertise is growth and/or expansion through setting and executing long term strategies regardless of the topic. In this regard I am well positioned to support the board in the planning and execution of the long term vision.
 

The Ecolint Governing Board is the key governance body of the International School. What is your understanding of the tasks you are called upon to perform in this context? And, what particular skills and experience would you draw on to fulfil this role?

I understand that the Governing Board’s has some key focus areas for the near future and these include: 

Developing a new 6 year strategic plan which aligns with the Foundation’s existing financial plan. Strengthening relations with local external stakeholders. Planning and execution around the centenary. Hiring of key roles. Trust building between the board and the campuses.

In my capacity as Regional Director I am required to design and implement long term strategies for the business, as such I plan to draw on my experience in both strategic planning, I also have deep expertise in relationship management and so hope to be able to contribute substantially when it comes to this topic with stakeholders. 

Finally, I have subject matter expertise when it comes to sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion which I know are central to the mission and goals of the Board.
 

Fair and equitable access to an education of excellence such as that of the International School of Geneva is at the heart of the objectives on which the Governing Board must focus. What might your thoughts be on this matter at this time? Do you have any particular expertise that you could draw upon in such societal matters?

Access to education is a cornerstone of our society. That Ecolint, as an educational institution, should hold this at the heart of the objectives for the Governing Board, to me is a non negotiable. Fair and equitable access to an education of excellence to my mind covers two or three main areas (and likely more). First, financial accessibility - which is to be address through scholarship or grant programmes. Second, physical access - to be addressed through modernising our campuses. Third, cultural, and neurodiversity with the understanding that each child is unique and may learn differently to the next. This should be supported through supporting and empowering our incredible teaching staff to do what they do best.  

As mentioned I have experience working in DEI. I similarly have extensive experience on the topic of Grants and Scholarship programmes similar to the Ecolint Scholarship Programme and so hope to be able to review and positively impact the strategy of Ecolint on this matter.
 

Ecolint aims to ensure a framework that serves to provide a distinctive high quality international education through which all students are helped to develop their abilities to the highest level of the potential. In your opinion, what are the different elements that are critical to this framework (buildings, interior and exterior spaces; technical supports and equipment; management team, teachers, and administrative staff; or others...)?

To my view the teachers are the most critical component to this framework. Depending on their age, a child will spend anywhere between 700-1200 hours each year in contact time with their teachers. Most of us will remember the teachers that inspired us, held our attention in class and that we looked up to.
Teachers act as mentors and role models to the students, they impart their passion and curiosity for learning, they personalise learning for their classroom.

At Ecolint, that we should attract and retain top talent when it comes to teachers from around the world should be our number one priority. Without exception.

Second, I see curriculum to be extremely important. The formation of the IB diploma is what started Ecolint’s journey apart from the traditional education of national programmes. We need to continue to be ahead of the curve, and ensure that what, and how we are teaching our children truly serves the outcome desired. To form well rounded, global citizens that are prepared for the world in which they will ultimately find themselves.
 

Ecolint embraces diversity and honours the unique voice and personal experience of all members of the community. What do you think of this statement in terms of your experience as a member of the community? In your opinion what should be the role of the Governing Board in strengthening inclusion of diversity in the Foundation?

Based on my own personal experience, as well as what I have observed over the past two decades, I strongly agree with the statement that Ecolint embraces diversity. I have seen first hand how the school acts as a safe haven for a diverse community, have been impressed at the strides that campuses have taken with respect to Learning Support and Extended Support Programmes.

That being said, I recognise that my experience at Ecolint with respect to diversity is completely different to that of others. To this end, the Governing Board acts as a representative of the Ecolint community as a whole, and as such should seek to listen closely to all voices as and when areas of concern are voiced.

Moreover, I feel that it is the responsibility of the Governing Board to be ahead of the curve where possible, understand what is required in this area and set the standard to ensure that the school takes proactive measures to permeate changes throughout. 

This must be the case in relation to all aspects of the Ecolint community and operations. Meaning diversity amongst Ecolint employees, the student body, teaching styles, course content etc. as well as extra-curricular offerings whether its sport, music, or guest speakers.
 

Are you aware of the financial information related to the Foundation? While efforts have been made, what else can be done in your opinion, to make the Foundation more sustainable in the long term continuing to ensure affordable fee structures while providing qualitative inclusive education in an effort to make global citizens and optimum capital development efforts?

I will happily put my hand up and say that beyond managing a PNL sheet for my own team, I am not a financial expert. As such I am glad to defer to the wisdom of the experts such as Nakshatra Pachauri, the Treasurer of the Governing Board, when it comes to complex questions.

I have however spent some time reading the Ecolint Annual Reports and so have a good base of understanding of the finances of the Foundation. From the financial reports key areas of importance emerge: Enrolment statistics, controlled and audited spending, robust financial planning, and new, innovative alternative revenue schemes.

I think that the efforts made around bringing in new revenue has been commendable, but I suspect that an institution such as Ecolint, with the assets and strengths at its disposal, can continue to do even more in this regard. I will be happy to lend a further entrepreneurial eye to coming up with new ideas for revenue generation.
 

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