Harrow-based Headmaster Kevin Riley has gained international recognition from the country’s top independent schools organisation.

The award of international membership of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) comes as Mr Riley prepares to leave The John Lyon School in Harrow on the Hill this summer to take the helm at Harrow International School in Bangkok. Both schools are members of the Harrow School Foundation, which also includes Harrow School itself, Harrow International School Beijing and John Lyon’s Charity.

HMC represents 250 Heads of the UK’s leading independent schools – including Harrow and Eton – and also has around 60 international members.

Mr Riley, who has been a UK HMC member for some years, said: “International membership is a personal recognition of a Head’s accomplishments by HMC, so this is a great honour and a tremendous boost as I take up my new post.

“In every survey, HMC schools come out as some of the top schools in the world, so it is very useful to be in membership of that professional body and to have access to that expertise.”

Current HMC Vice-Chairman Dr Bernard Trafford, who is Headmaster of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “Kevin Riley and I worked together in the Midlands in the 1980s and became firm friends. Ever since he first became a Head in 1994 he has been a steadfast colleague and a wise mentor to many Heads, including me.

“I am delighted that HMC has elected him to international membership. He may feel honoured: the truth is, I think, that we need people of his quality to maintain and add to the calibre of HMC.”

ENDS

Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School

MEDIA CONTACTS: Mr Kevin Riley on 020 8872 8400