Governance

Dubai Heights Academy has a Board of Governors who meet regularly, using their varied expertise to evaluate progress and support the school in its journey. They are well informed about the school and actively support our leaders to meet the school's compelling vision. Our Governors can be contacted at [email protected]

Istiqama Al Riyami
Deputy Chair of Governors / Owner’s Representative

When Dubai Heights Academy first opened in 2017, Istiqama’s vision was to establish an inclusive school that delivers an excellent standard of British Education. She is proud to say the school has grown immensely in all aspects, and has achieved a “Good” rating in its very first KHDA inspection. The school’s success is testament to the hard work and dedication of its faculty and staff, as well as the support of the community and the calibre of its students. Istiqama is sure the school will continue to grow and develop and she is delighted to be a part of this wonderful journey.

Daniel Van Otterdijk
Group Chief Communications Officer

Daniel is the DP World Group Chief Communications Officer.

He is accountable for building and delivering the Group’s global brand and communication strategies, across all stakeholder groups and communications disciplines. A member of the global leadership team, Daniel advises the Group Chairman and CEO on all matters related to company-wide re-positioning and the Purpose-led strategy for the DP World Masterbrand.

Daniel is a seasoned brand and communications specialist with a wealth of international experience spanning over 20 years across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia. He has worked in various markets and industries including Energy, Oil and Gas, Medical, Retail and Technology.

Prior to joining DP World, Daniel worked for Royal Dutch Shell for 17 years as a communications specialist, advising on corporate brand-building, reputation management and internal and external communications. He has served as a Non-Executive Director in the Communications industry.

Daniel has a BSc in Science from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. He is a Dutch national, but has spent 12 years in New Zealand, 18 years in the UK and the last 5 years in Dubai, UAE.

Marc Ferreira
GM of Finance, Seven Tides

With over a decade of experience, Marc Ferreira is the Head of Finance at Seven Tides, taking responsibility for the financial accuracy and reporting of sales, leasing, Owners’ Association and Dubai Heights Academy. Marc was previously commercial manager after being promoted from financial manager for a large organisation from the Durban Metropolitan Area in South Africa, having started his career as an auditor at international accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton in Johannesburg.

Jonathan Price
Former Principal / Chief Education Officer, 10K Schools

Jonathan has been involved in the successful running of international British schools since 1998. He is a founding member of the Events Committee of the British Schools of the Middle East; with project management experience with input into design, procurement, FFE and financial planning. Jonathan is a board member of two international schools and is a qualified BSO inspector. He now drives change in safer recruitment practices across international schools.

Jim Stearns
Principal, Victoria International School of Sharjah (VISS) Khorfakkan

Jim opened VISS Khorfakkan as Principal in August 2022, having been Deputy Principal and Head of Secondary School at VISS since August 2014. VISS is a collaboration between the Government of Sharjah and Victoria, Australia and is Australian Curriculum K-10 and then International Baccalaureate. Jim has taught in several UK state and independent schools in his 25+ year career, including over five years as Headmaster of Shoreham College, an all-through primary and secondary school near Brighton, England. A trained physics teacher, Jim has also specialised in the use of IT in education, serving on national advisory committees. During his UK headship he has been an active member of the Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) serving on the national executive and chairing its Academic Policy Committee through a period of extensive curriculum change in the UK. He has been an Apple Professional Learning Specialist and has spoken at many conferences on various issues around leadership and digital strategy.

Aisling Keaveney
Head of Inclusion, Dubai Heights Academy

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