Caven Wagstaff
Bsc (Hons)
I've had the pleasure of being a housemaster having worked in both co-educational and single sex boarding schools across the UK. During my time I developed a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the importance that education plays in each child's life.
During my years as a housemaster I saw a need for a more personal approach to the consultancy world. Families often felt unsupported throughout the process of finding the right school and I wanted to change that. Having lived and worked in these unique environments, I bring real, firsthand insights to help guide families not just in choosing a school, but in understanding what life is truly like within it.
As a housemaster, I worked closely with children and parents to understand their individual needs and requirements. Most importantly I recognised that one size does not fit all when it comes to educating children and I have been privileged over the years to help many parents ensure that they find the right school for their child to move on to.
I have seen firsthand how finding the correct environment to suit each child's specific needs enables them to reach their full potential and flourish as they move through their school years.
If you have concerns about any aspect of the private education system, please get in touch and we will work together to find the best solution.
Mark Richards
BMus (Wales) MMus (King’s, London) Research Fellowship (Cardiff), FRSA, MCCT
Mark won an open scholarship to read music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth studying with Professor David Wulstan. Mark secured a First and then went on to successfully complete an MMus in Theory and Analysis at King’s College, London, supervised by Professor Arnold Whittall. Further research in the music of Webern continued at Cardiff University.
Mark has tutored at several universities, but his main focus has been school teaching and senior leadership having latterly closed a sixteen year period of service as Senior Deputy Head at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. Prior to Queen Anne’s, Mark was Director of Studies and Head of Sixth Form at Saint Martin’s School in Solihull. Mark is a governor of three schools and one university, is a trustee of the Society for Music Analysis and the Society for Minimalist Music and is a member of the Society for Musicology in Ireland.
Mark also teaches Music to undergraduate level, is an experienced school inspector and A Level and IB music examiner; he has also written several books and articles associated with A Level Music.
When away from educational activities, Mark enjoys North Devon coastal walks with his wife, Claire and their three golden retrievers Monty, Rufus and Gideon.
Edward White
BA, MA.
Edward read Modern History at Mansfield College, Oxford and Cultural History at Goldsmiths, University of London. He has worked for many years in the British television industry, including several years at the BBC's Arts and History department. He is the author of three works of biography. His most recent book, Dianaworld: An Obsession, was published by Penguin Random House in 2025.
John Hung
John is both an educator and entrepreneur with extensive experience in education advisory. For over a decade, he has represented the University of Notre Dame in student admissions and mentoring. He holds a dual degree in MBA and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame and has furthered his studies at Harvard and Yale School of Management.
As a business leader, John serves on the committees of the American Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His vast professional network allows him to secure internships for students at various levels and help graduates find employment.
John's passion for mentoring young people and his insights into global education make him an exceptional educational practitioner. He is dedicated to developing future leaders through holistic education, mentoring, and career planning. Over the past decade, he has successfully placed numerous students in reputable universities, arranged summer internships, secured jobs at international corporations, and assisted students in navigating their careers on a global scale.
Astrilia Lawandra
Lia is a dedicated professional with a strong background in customer service and hospitality, where she developed a deep understanding of how to create positive, supportive experiences for people from all walks of life. Lia's career as a cabin crew member equipped her with exceptional interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to anticipate people’s needs, resolve concerns under pressure, and ensure that every individual feels heard, valued and cared for.
Lia now wants to bring these skills into a new and meaningful context: supporting families as they make one of the most important decisions in their children’s lives, the decision to study in the UK. This is a significant step for any family, filled with both exciting opportunities and complex challenges.
Chinyere Emeruwa
Chinyere joins our team in Lagos to support Nigerian families in choosing the right UK boarding schools for their children. With over 15 years of experience spanning education, business management, healthcare and technology, Chinyere brings both expertise and empathy to this important process.
Her background includes leading large-scale education projects, fostering international partnerships and guiding organisations through strategic growth. She is known for her ability to connect with people, simplify complex decisions and provide parents with clarity and confidence when making school choices for their children.
Chinyere’s combination of professional excellence and genuine care makes her an invaluable guide for families navigating the UK boarding school landscape.
Outside of work, she enjoys mentoring, networking, reading, traveling and spending time with her family, especially her three children. Her love for continuous learning and her vibrant, people-focused personality shine through in everything she does.
John Padley
John has been teaching in the Independent School sector for 28 years and for 20 of these, John has been a Director of Music in various schools. As a result, John has a wide experience of music in Independent Schools and the music scholarship application process. In 2016, Part of Johns role has been recruitment of students and has close contacts in Hong Kong and South Korea where he has held music scholarship auditions and represented his school at Schools' Exhibitions. At Queen Anne's, John developed the music facilities and helped to create a modern and top quality department building.
John performs regularly in the London area as an organist and pianist and has been an examiner for GCSE and A Level Music and in 2016 was President of the MTA (Music Teachers' Association). John moved to Hong Kong in July 2024 and has been very happy to contribute to the church and musical life of this City.
Ritu Mohindra
I am a seasoned overseas education consultant and freelancer with over 14 years of hands-on experience guiding students through the complex landscape of international admissions. I specialise in helping students and families navigate middle and higher education pathways across top global destinations, including the USA, UK, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, Australia, and India’s leading Liberal Arts institutions. Over the years, I’ve mentored more than 500 students from high schoolers to applicants for undergraduate, MBA, Master’s, and PhD programs, offering personalised, end-to-end support that is both strategic and compassionate.
Having lived in Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, and Hong Kong and as a mother of two grown-up children, I bring not only deep professional insight but also personal empathy to the table. I understand the hopes, anxieties, and decisions that shape each family’s educational journey.
I’ve partnered with CJE as a freelance consultant, representing India and select international markets. In this role, I also help families identify the right-fit UK boarding school, powerful platforms that nurture independence, critical thinking, and holistic development, while strengthening students’ pathways to top universities around the world.
Yixuan (Cozy) Cai
With a unique blend of cultural insight and educational expertise, Cozy brings a deep understanding of both Chinese academic priorities and the values of the UK boarding school system.
Cozy truly Understands Chinese Families. A native bilingual in English and Mandarin, Cozy has lived the international education journey – making her a trusted advisor for families navigating it for the first time.
From selecting the right schools to managing applications and visas, Cozy ensures a smooth experience. Her previous leadership of a 10+ member consulting team guarantees seamless execution.
Cozy is very much looking forward to connecting and meeting with families in China who are seeking excellence in UK education!
Zihan (Suzie) Xi
Suzie holds a Master of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Macau, complemented by immersive academic experience at the University of Chester in the UK. She brings a globally informed perspective, blending deep cultural insight with hands-on expertise in advisory, recruitment, and digital engagement.
Suzie’s background spans impactful roles across education and consulting -from working as a STEAM teacher at Macau Science Center, where she fostered creativity and critical thinking, to consulting at KPMG China, and supporting international student placements at Choose U Education and Meris Education (UK). At Meris Education, she contributed to refining virtual education strategies alongside notable leaders like Nick Pettingale. Suzie’s experience navigating complex admissions processes and delivering bilingual instruction underscores her empathetic and precise approach to cross-cultural communication.
Central to Suzie’s philosophy is her commitment to cultivating students’ passions and interests, helping each learner discover and develop their unique strengths. She is dedicated to guiding students toward realising their greatest potential - not only academically, but as confident, curious, and resilient individuals.
Beyond education, Suzie is passionate about advertising, branding, and social media strategy, fields where data-driven insights meet creative storytelling. She excels at understanding diverse audiences, building meaningful connections, and crafting narratives that resonate across classrooms, boardrooms, and digital platforms.
Inspired by visits to institutions across the UK and Ireland including a unique opportunity to participate in a choir performance at Robinson College, Cambridge Suzie appreciates how tradition, creativity, and pastoral care combine to nurture student growth. This ethos guides her work at CJE, where she helps families identify schools aligned with their values, aspirations, and cultural backgrounds.
Now based in China, Suzie is eager to explore the local education market and help more families benefit from British-style education. Whether through personalised consulting or strategic storytelling, she is dedicated to supporting students and families on meaningful journeys of growth, discovery, and success.