Board Members (ID 1369)

• Pathana Panyathip
  Chair Board
  Pathana Panyathip

  Welcome to Panyathip British International School! It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our school in Vientiane. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Founder and Director of Panyathip British International School, which I first established in 2001.

  Over the past 23 years, our school has grown into an Early Years, Primary and Secondary International School, now spanning four campuses in Vientiane. Panyathip was the first international school in Laos to be accredited by the Cambridge Curriculum. We are also proud to serve as a Cambridge Examination Centre, offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. Additionally, we were the first school in Laos to implement the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).

  For our Lao students, we provide the Lao national curriculum and examinations, ensuring that we meet the needs of our diverse international and Lao community. I am proud that Panyathip offers such a broad and inclusive curriculum, catering to the educational aspirations of all our students.

  Thank you for considering our school for your child(ren). I hope you enjoy your visit to Panyathip British International School.

• Palinyakone Panyathip
  Board Member
  Palinyakone Panyathip

  Palinyakone is a Lao national and the current CEO of Panyathip British International School in Vientiane. She has extensive experience in education, having held roles such as Assistant General Manager, Deputy Director, and Group Safeguarding Lead before becoming CEO in 2022. She holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Bath and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Media, Communication and Cultural Studies from the University of Queensland.

  Palinyakone is a recipient of the Australia Awards Scholarship (2016) and the Chevening Scholarship (2020). She is a trained Child Protection Officer and has played a key role in developing significant child protection policies at her school.

  In addition, she has been a guest speaker at leading educational conferences and is a strong advocate for student and staff wellbeing.

• David Bant
  VP Strategy & Transformation
  David Bant

  David has over 30 years of experience in senior change management leadership positions in consulting companies (Deloitte, BDO, etc.), various clients and industries (banks, insurance, asset management, etc.), and different functions (finance, accounting, risk management, marketing, etc.). He holds an MBA degree from ESCP Business School (Europe), a Master of IT for Business Administration from EPISEN (France), and a BBA major in Finance and Accounting from IUT of Paris (France).

  David's strong change management competencies, combined with his experience in several other areas in international companies, will make an important contribution to supporting the positive development that PBIS has achieved in recent years.

• John Gwyn Jones
  Board Member
  John Gwyn Jones

  John Gwyn Jones, MBE, is the CEO of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), overseeing nearly 100 British International schools across 19 countries. With over 35 years of experience in education, he has held leadership roles in international schools throughout Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos.

  John began his career in banking before transitioning to education in 1976 after earning his teaching qualification from Trinity College in Carmarthen. He received several prestigious awards, including a Leadership Award from former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

  An active speaker at educational conferences such as Bett Asia and IPSEF, John continues to support the development of schools and educational programmes across Asia.

• Phongsavanh Phomkong
  Safeguarding Governor
  Phongsavanh Phomkong

  Phongsavanh is a Lao national and the Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Office in Lao PDR. He holds an MBA from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, a Master's in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from ESCP-EAP in Paris, a post-graduate degree in Finance and Banking from Boston University, and a Bachelor's in Pharmacy from the University of Laos.

• Saleumsackda Khantivong
  Health & Safety Governor
  Saleumsackda Khantivong

  Sam has over a decade of experience in senior project management and leadership roles across various companies and industries. He has held key positions such as Project Executive at KST Group and Head of Development at Viengthong Pharmaceutical Group, where he had large-scale operational improvements and project oversight.

  Sam holds an MBA from the University of Bath (UK) and a Bachelor's degree in Business and Commerce from Monash University (Australia).

  His strong background in project management, operations and leadership will be valuable in supporting and enhancing the safety and well-being of the PBIS community.

• Soudalath Silaphet
  Board Member
  Soudalath Silaphet

  Soudalath is a Lao national and a Project Operations Specialist with extensive experience in World Bank investment operations. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Northumbria in the UK and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

  She has received the British Chevening Scholarship and the Australian Development Scholarship.

  Currently, she supports project operations and manages high-level dialogues as a consultant with the World Bank's Country Management Unit.

• Dzung Nguyen Kim
  Legal and Compliance Governor
  Dzung Nguyen Kim

  With over 23 years of experience in legal consultancy, Ms. Dzung has played a key role in shaping foreign investment in education, medical services, and the automobile industry. She currently serves as the Director, Legal and Government Affairs for British University Vietnam (BUV) and Apollo Vietnam.

  
  Ms. Dzung is a specialised lawyer in the education sector. Officially appointed by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, she has made significant contributions to law-making, successfully advising on laws and policies that shape higher education and foreign investment regulations in Vietnam. Her contributions to Vietnam's education sector are significant, having influenced key legislative reforms, including the 2019 Education Law and 2018 Higher Education Law. She was recognised in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist 2024, highlighting her influence in the legal community.

• Zayne Essop
  Ex Officio Member
  Zayne Essop

  Zayne Essop is the Head of Secondary at Panyathip British International School, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience to the role. With a proven track record in successfully managing educational institutions, Zayne is dedicated to creating environments where both students and teachers can thrive. His leadership is guided by a clear vision, determination, enthusiasm and adaptability which are essential qualities for managing a modern school and raising academic standards.

  As a COBIS Peer Accreditor and holder of the NPQH qualification, Zayne is committed to enhancing the school's strengths while identifying new opportunities for growth. Currently pursuing a Master's in Business Management and Administration, he strives to cultivate a balanced environment where academic excellence is complemented by strong pastoral care, ensuring that both students and staff feel supported, valued and inspired.

  Passionate about collaboration with teachers, support staff, parents, governors and students, Zayne believes that learning is an exciting journey that should inspire and enrich young lives. He is dedicated to encouraging students to understand the value of lifelong learning, aiming to make their school experiences both meaningful and enjoyable.

• Neil Hugo
  Ex Officio Member
  Neil Hugo

  Neil Hugo, an experienced educator who is passionate about helping young minds grow, is currently the Head of Primary and Early Years at Panyathip British International School. With over 40 years of experience in education, Neil is deeply committed to creating a caring and engaging learning environment for students.

  Neil's international education journey began in Kuwait, where he taught in Primary school and developed a strong understanding of early childhood development. This early experience laid the foundation for his career in primary education. Neil's strong dedication to supporting the development and well-being of young learners has been a key motivation behind his work in teaching and leadership roles.

  Neil holds himself to high standards and expects the same from the staff, parents and children at the school. Throughout his career, Neil has been a strong advocate for creative teaching methods and innovative curriculum design to improve the learning experience for students. He strongly believes in a well-rounded approach to education, which has inspired him to introduce programs that focus not only on academic success but also on the social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. Having served as a school principal, head teacher, and school director over the past 30 years, Neil is recognised for his collaborative leadership style. He works closely with teachers, parents, and the school community to build a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Neil's ability to motivate and inspire others has played a crucial role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence at Panyathip British International School.

  In his role as Head of Primary and Early Years, Neil leads by example, ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world. His commitment to positively impacting the lives of young learners solidifies his position as a respected leader in the field of education.