Meet The Team
We are proud that the private schools in our country remain world-leading institutions. Between us we have taught, worked, and forged relationships both in the UK and beyond and it is our privilege to work in a sector which welcomes and connects the future generations.
Our commitment is to ensure that every child enjoys a life-changing, positive experience in the best-fitting school. We achieve this by offering expert, impartial and personal advice.
Les Webb FCII – Founder and Chairman
Les founded Education Advisers in 2004. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of history of schools, governors, Heads, and boards within British private education.
Mary Banks-Murayama - MA, QTS - Managing Director
Mary is our Managing Director and oversees the company’s strategy and the team’s day to day activities. Mary holds overall responsibility for our school consultancy and enrolment services.
After reading German and History at Oxford, Mary spent several years in Japan where she taught English and advised Japanese students on study abroad programmes. She has undertaken projects in Europe and Africa for schools and parents. She joined Education Advisers after spending many years as a teacher and leader of Modern Languages and international programmes at a large grammar school. Mary has over 10 years experience of working with families to support their children’s school approach.
Allison Pettitt – School Placement Consultant and Summer Schools Coordinator
Allison has a wealth of experience in the education sector, as a qualified teacher of English as an Additional Language and Events Manager for major independent school shows.
Having lived overseas, she has first-hand experience of what is involved in relocating a family and searching for schools. Allison works with our families to help students find the best-fitting schools, supporting them throughout the process. Allison plays a key role in managing summer school enrolments, and supports our communications with schools.
Heather Clanfield – Cert Ed, QTS – Office Manager
Heather is a fully-qualified teacher and has taught in both the state and private sectors as well as being a former Director of Admissions at a state boarding school. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of UK independent schools and many years' experience of helping parents find the right school for their child.
Heather regularly consults families on school choice, whilst managing the company's accounts. Heather is also responsible for compiling our annual league tables.
Luke Beaton - BEd (Hons), PGDip, QTS - Education Consultant
Luke is an experienced prep school teacher who has worked in the UK, China and the UAE. He has an in-depth knowledge of the independent school system and is uniquely placed to understand the challenges faced by children and their parents when considering the best schools to apply to.
