Governance

Board of Governors

The governance of The International School of Penang (Uplands) is established by the Constitution of The I.S.P. Schools Association and overseen by a Board composed of Patron Governors and Parent Governors. This Board provides strategic leadership and corporate oversight, meeting regularly throughout the year to guide the school’s long-term direction and ensure its continued success.

Supporting the work of the Board are several dedicated committees that help ensure responsible stewardship of the school’s finances and operations. The principal committee is the Executive Committee (EXCOM), which meets monthly and works closely with the School Principal to implement the Board’s strategic vision within the day-to-day operations of the school. The Principal is supported by the Senior Management Team, which includes the Head of Primary, Head of Secondary, Head of Administration, Head of Finance, Head of IT, Head of HR, and other senior academic staff.

Additional Board committees include the Trustees Committee, the Executive Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee (ARCO), and the Development Committee. These committees are primarily made up of Board members, although independent experts may also be invited to contribute their specialist knowledge. The school’s financial matters are carefully monitored by the Head of Finance and subject to regular audits by an independent external auditor.

To view the Association’s bye-laws, please click the link here.

Mr. Frank Poulsen has been a board member since May 2015 and serves as a patron member. He has held the position of Chair of Governors since August 2020 and currently works as a General Manager.

Mr. Frank PoulsenChair of Governors

Mr. John Patrick Baskett, MBE, has been a board member since September 2009 and is a Patron Member. He serves as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, Chair of the Trustee Committee, and a member of the Development Committee. Mr. Baskett brings extensive experience from his former roles as Managing Director of four large plantation companies in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. He also previously served as the British Honorary Consul and the Belgian Consul in Medan, Sumatra. Additionally, he was the Chairman of Medan International School and currently represents the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) on the Board of Governors.

Mr. John Patrick Cyprain Baskett, MBEChair of Trustee Committee

Mrs. Leigh Pratt has been a board member since October 2008 and is a Patron Member. She currently serves as Chair of the Executive Committee and is also a member of the Development Committee. Previously, she held the position of PTA Chairperson for four years. Now retired after a successful career in banking, Mrs. Pratt continues to contribute her expertise to the school community and is actively involved in supporting the SafeSchool initiative. Her child attended The International School of Penang (Uplands) from Reception through to the completion of the IB Diploma at age 18.

Mrs. Leigh PrattChair of Executive Committee

Mr. Tilo Hildebrandt has been a board member since 2022 and serves as a Parent Member. He is a member of the Executive Committee and the Audit & Risk Committee, and also represents the Board in the Parent Teacher Association Committee.

Mr. Tilo HildebrandtChair of Audit & Risk Committee

Mr. Tan Kee Chin has been a board member since July 2013 and is a Patron Member. He has served as the Chair of the Development Committee since 2020 and is currently the Managing Director.

Mr. Tan Kee ChinChair of Development Committee

Mr. M. R. Chandran, KMN; FISP., has been a board member since 1982 and is a Patron Member. He held the position as the Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1993 to 2009. Currently serves as a member of both the Trustee Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. Mr. Chandran holds directorships at Incorporated Society of Planters, ISP Management Sdn Bhd, Saraya Hygiene Japan, 27 Advisory Sdn Bhd, IRGA Sdn Bhd & Tun Raja Alias Foundation Bhd. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman of the Malaysian Oil Scientists’ & Technologists’ Association and acts as a Corporate Consultant/Adviser to the agro-commodity industries and sits on the Board of Commissioners of PT. Agro Indomas, Indonesia; Advisor to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and as a Trustee of The Planters Benevolent Trust of Malaysia & Tan Sri Bek-Nielsen Foundation. His previous roles include Director and Head of Plantations at Socfin Co. Bhd and Chief Executive of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association & Director Of IJM Plantaions Bhd.

Mr. M R Chandran, K.M.N.Patron Member

Mrs. Liu Minjuan (Serena) has been a board member since December 2017 and serves as a Parent Member. She is a member of both the Audit and Risk Committee and the Executive Committee, and she also represents the Board in the Parent Teacher Association Committee. Previously, she was the Vice Chair of the UPTA. With a strong background in education, Mrs. Liu was formerly an Associate Professor and teacher at Hunan University and Beijing Foreign Studies University in China. She also worked as an editor for Tsinghua University Press and served as an IELTS and BEC examiner.

Mrs. Liu Minjuan (Serena)Parent Member

Mrs. Jennifer-Anne Sheppard has been a board member since January 2021 and serves as a Parent Member. She is a member of the Executive Committee and acts as the Board Representative to the Parent Teacher Association Committee. From 2015 to 2021, she served on the UPTA Executive Committee. A retired Chartered Secretary, Mrs. Sheppard brings extensive management and communication experience from her work in the financial services and health sectors. She has a strong background in compliance, along with analytical, planning, interpersonal, and business development skills. Previously, she served on a high-profile board and fundraising committee in Hong Kong and remains actively involved in fundraising efforts for several charities based in Penang.

Mrs. Jennifer-Anne SheppardParent Member

Mr. Lim Chin Seong (Kevin) has been a board member since 2022. He is a member of both the Executive Committee and the Trustee Committee, and serves as the Board Representative in the Parent Teacher Association Committee. Professionally, he is the Drilling Engineering Manager for South East Asia and has held roles as a Project Manager in Directional Drilling and as a Directional Drilling Engineer. Notably, he was a Special Mention Winner in NASA's Lunar Loo Challenge for the Artemis Mission in 2020.

Mr. Lim Chin Seong (Kevin)Parent Member

Dr. Mary Ann Harris has been a board member since June 2023 and is a Patron Member. She serves on both the Trustee Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. Professionally, she holds the position of Group Chief Financial Officer.

Dr. Mary Ann HarrisPatron Member

Michel Van Crombrugge is the Managing Director of Paramit Malaysia, part of the Tecan Group, with over 35 years of experience in Electronic Manufacturing Services and High Tech industries. Based in Penang for more than 22 years, his three sons attended The International School of Penang (Uplands). He serves on the main Board and ARCO Committee and is active as a Board member of AMMI and national Vice-President of MICCI. Michel is also involved in community service through the Rotary Club of Penang and holds the Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Penang. With extensive international experience across multiple countries and advanced degrees in electro-mechanical engineering and acoustics, he brings valuable expertise to the Board.

Mr. Michel Alphonse L. Van CrombruggePatron Member

Wing Commander Edmunds is the Australian Defence Force Head of Post for Butterworth and Commanding Officer of Airbase Operations at RMAF Base Butterworth. She has a diverse background in strategic planning, risk management, international engagement, military airbase operations, and national crisis coordination. She also serves as a Not-For-Profit Board Director for an Australian company supporting veterans and their families. Leading a multinational team in Malaysia, she enjoys exploring the country with her husband and daughters. Wing Commander Edmunds sits on the main Board as well as the ARCO and Trustee Committees.