Education

GEMS Education has announced the appointment of Nicola Huggett as Executive Principal of GEMS Wellington International School (WIS), effective April 2026. The move marks a significant leadership transition at one of the flagship schools within the Wellington brand.

Nicola brings over 30 years of senior leadership experience across leading independent and international schools in the UK. She will oversee the school’s strategic, educational, and operational direction while working closely with current Principal and CEO Andrew Jenkins, who will remain in his role until January 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.

Prior to joining GEMS, Nicola served as Head of Cheltenham College in the UK, where she led more than 1,100 students across junior and senior levels. During her tenure, she drove curriculum innovation, digital transformation, and academic excellence, with the institution achieving its strongest A Level results in a decade.

In her new role at WIS, Nicola will focus on maintaining the school’s consistently high standards, including its 17-year Outstanding rating by Dubai’s education regulator and its strong performance in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, where students have achieved perfect scores in recent years. She will also support the introduction of A Levels, expanding academic pathways for students.

Nicola’s leadership experience spans multi-school environments, governance, staff development, and student wellbeing. Her previous roles include Head of Blundell’s School and Deputy Headmistress at Downe House School, alongside senior leadership positions at Haileybury.

Dino Varkey praised the appointment, highlighting Nicola’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusive leadership. He noted that her experience positions her well to lead WIS into its next phase of growth while maintaining its strong academic and community-focused culture.

He also acknowledged the contributions of Andrew Jenkins, who has led the school since 2017, delivering Outstanding inspection outcomes and strengthening academic performance and institutional direction.

Commenting on her appointment, Nicola said she is inspired by the UAE’s vision for education and looks forward to building on WIS’s strong foundation. She emphasised her commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing student voice, and strengthening Arabic and Islamic education within the school’s diverse international community.

Beyond her school leadership roles, Nicola is an active contributor to the wider education sector. She currently serves as Chair of the Professional Development Committee at the Heads’ Conference (HMC), a prominent UK-based association representing leading independent and international schools.

The appointment reflects GEMS Education’s continued focus on strengthening leadership across its network as it advances educational excellence and innovation in the region.

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