New Head appointed at Aga Khan Academy Mombasa

Colin Webster has been named as the new Head of Academy for Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and will join in August 2023.

The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa is a private, non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational, day and residential school for students in Grades 1-12 offering an IB continuum curriculum. The accredited IB World School is part of the Aga Khan Academies (AKA), an integrated network of schools being established in countries across Africa, South and Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The large network comprises of over 200 schools and serves over 96,000 students. The Mombasa Academy provides students with education of the highest standard in order to prepare them for lives characterised by leadership and service, and is a beacon for IB provision schools globally.

The Head of Academy role requires an experienced education leader, with an affinity for the International Baccalaureate, exceptional team development qualities, and experience working in the global south. The search was truly global, and school leaders from across Africa, Aisa, Europe, and the Americas were introduced to Aga Khan as part of the process.

Colin is an experienced school leader and educator with over 25 years of experience and vast knowledge of the International Baccalaureate, and all three programmes it encompasses. Previously, Colin served in various leadership positions across renowned education institutions around the world, including Eritrea, Thailand, Syria and more, as principal, director of curriculum and head of school. Colin joins the Academy in Mombasa from George Washington Academy in Morocco where he served as the head of school since 2020.

Speaking about the search and appointment, Dr Graham Ranger, Academic Director at AKA commented “SOCIETY offers us a very customised support and a partnership in an executive search. They work to understand our schools, and what is needed in each cultural context. Their communications are strong, they keep in touch throughout and come from a  strong, ethical values base. If we have a question, such as needing to know more from a referee about x or y, they are responsive and take initiative. Candidates often inform me how well looked after they feel in the selection process”.

Colin emerged as the successful candidate from a highly competitive field. His strengths working with the IB in the global south set him apart in the selection process, and AKA are delighted he’ll be joining Mombasa Academy this year, continuing the academic and service leadership of this outstanding institution.