Rob Paler Joins UK Trade Mission to Southeast Asia

As the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the U.K. approaches, and following the recent encouragement from Thai Commerce Minister Khun Pichai Naripthaphan for U.K. businesses to invest in Thailand, it was both an honour and privilege for Rob Paler, Director of Education and Global Partnerships at West Buckland School, to participate in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) mission to Southeast Asia.

The mission was supported throughout by the expertise and guidance of the DBT and FCDO teams in both Malaysia and Thailand. The U.K. Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, delivered a positive keynote address, underscoring the many opportunities for further collaboration between the two nations.

Special thanks are due to Duncan Stonehouse and Bruce Grindlay, who generously shared their insights and highlighted the role of ISAT in the sector. The contributions from Thai representatives of OPEC and the Ministry of Education were particularly valuable in facilitating meaningful discussions with potential investors.

Visits to KING HENRY VIII COLLEGE MALAYSIA and KCS Bangkok demonstrated the energy and ambition already invested in the British education sector in the region. Despite significant growth in British schools over the past decade, there is still considerable potential for both cultures and their educational approaches to evolve together in the coming years.

A special mention goes to Thea Wiltshire for her steadfast enthusiasm throughout the mission, and to Deb Sherwood (Williams), Yvonne Mitchell, Marya Akhtar, James Dale-Adcock, John Jones, and Helen Pike for their perspectives and company during the trip.

With a personal connection to Bangkok, having spent a number of happy years there, Rob Paler looks forward to returning in two weeks to continue conversations with investors sparked during the recent mission.