First Management Team (ID 1308)

• Pathana Panyathip
  President / Executive Advisor
  Pathana Panyathip

  Welcome to Panyathip British International School! It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our school in Vientiane. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Founder and Director of Panyathip British International School, which I first established in 2001.

  Over the past 23 years, our school has grown into an Early Years, Primary and Secondary International School, now spanning four campuses in Vientiane. Panyathip was the first international school in Laos to be accredited by the Cambridge Curriculum. We are also proud to serve as a Cambridge Examination Centre, offering the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. Additionally, we were the first school in Laos to implement the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).

  For our Lao students, we provide the Lao national curriculum and examinations, ensuring that we meet the needs of our diverse international and Lao community. I am proud that Panyathip offers such a broad and inclusive curriculum, catering to the educational aspirations of all our students.

  Thank you for considering our school for your child(ren). I hope you enjoy your visit to Panyathip British International School.

• Palinyakone Panyathip
  Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  Palinyakone Panyathip

  Palinyakone is a Lao national and the current CEO of Panyathip British International School in Vientiane. She has extensive experience in education, having held roles such as Assistant General Manager, Deputy Director, and Group Safeguarding Lead before becoming CEO in 2022. She holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Bath and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Media, Communication and Cultural Studies from the University of Queensland.

  Palinyakone is a recipient of the Australia Awards Scholarship (2016) and the Chevening Scholarship (2020). She is a trained Child Protection Officer and has played a key role in developing significant child protection policies at her school.

  In addition, she has been a guest speaker at leading educational conferences and is a strong advocate for student and staff wellbeing.

• David Bant
  VP Strategy & Transformation
  David Bant

  David has over 30 years of experience in senior change management leadership positions in consulting companies (Deloitte, BDO, etc.), various clients and industries (banks, insurance, asset management, etc.), and different functions (finance, accounting, risk management, marketing, etc.). He holds an MBA degree from ESCP Business School (Europe), a Master of IT for Business Administration from EPISEN (France), and a BBA major in Finance and Accounting from IUT of Paris (France).

  David's strong change management competencies, combined with his experience in several other areas in international companies, will make an important contribution to supporting the positive development that PBIS has achieved in recent years.

• Zayne Essop
  Head of Secondary Campus
  Zayne Essop

  Zayne Essop is the Head of Secondary at Panyathip British International School, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience to the role. With a proven track record in successfully managing educational institutions, Zayne is dedicated to creating environments where both students and teachers can thrive. His leadership is guided by a clear vision, determination, enthusiasm and adaptability which are essential qualities for managing a modern school and raising academic standards.

  As a COBIS Peer Accreditor and holder of the NPQH qualification, Zayne is committed to enhancing the school's strengths while identifying new opportunities for growth. Currently pursuing a Master's in Business Management and Administration, he strives to cultivate a balanced environment where academic excellence is complemented by strong pastoral care, ensuring that both students and staff feel supported, valued and inspired.

  Passionate about collaboration with teachers, support staff, parents, governors and students, Zayne believes that learning is an exciting journey that should inspire and enrich young lives. He is dedicated to encouraging students to understand the value of lifelong learning, aiming to make their school experiences both meaningful and enjoyable.

• Neil Hugo
  Head of Early Years and Primary
  Neil Hugo

  Neil Hugo, an experienced educator who is passionate about helping young minds grow, is currently the Head of Primary and Early Years at Panyathip British International School. With over 40 years of experience in education, Neil is deeply committed to creating a caring and engaging learning environment for students.

  Neil's international education journey began in Kuwait, where he taught in Primary school and developed a strong understanding of early childhood development. This early experience laid the foundation for his career in primary education. Neil's strong dedication to supporting the development and well-being of young learners has been a key motivation behind his work in teaching and leadership roles.

  Neil holds himself to high standards and expects the same from the staff, parents and children at the school. Throughout his career, Neil has been a strong advocate for creative teaching methods and innovative curriculum design to improve the learning experience for students. He strongly believes in a well-rounded approach to education, which has inspired him to introduce programs that focus not only on academic success but also on the social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. Having served as a school principal, head teacher, and school director over the past 30 years, Neil is recognised for his collaborative leadership style. He works closely with teachers, parents, and the school community to build a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Neil's ability to motivate and inspire others has played a crucial role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence at Panyathip British International School.

  In his role as Head of Primary and Early Years, Neil leads by example, ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world. His commitment to positively impacting the lives of young learners solidifies his position as a respected leader in the field of education.

• Vanvira Singhavara
  Chief Operating Officer
  Vanvira Singhavara

  Vanvira Singhavara is the Chief Operating Officer at Panyathip British International School.

• Mohanasundram Muniandy
  Director of IT Services
  Mohanasundram Muniandy

  Mohanasundram (Kumar) is the Director of IT Services at Panyathip British International School, bringing over 20 years of expertise in technology leadership, systems management and digital transformation. He leads IT operations across four campuses, driving innovation and modernising infrastructure to set new standards in educational technology.

  Currently pursuing a Master’s in ICT Management, Kumar draws on his extensive knowledge of IT infrastructure, networking and stakeholder collaboration to deliver impactful solutions that enhance the educational experience. His commitment to streamlining operations and advancing innovation plays a pivotal role in shaping a future-ready learning environment for students, staff and the wider school community.

• Phetphaivanh Inthisane
  HR Manager
  Phetphaivanh Inthisane

  Phetphaivanh Inthisane (Tookta) is an accomplished HR leader with over 15 years of senior leadership experience across education, banking, mining, and FMCG sectors in Laos. As HR Manager at Panyathip British International School, Tookta excels in aligning innovative HR strategies with business objectives, fostering talent, and driving organisational success.

  With advanced HR leadership qualifications from Australia and a proven track record in impactful roles, she brings expertise, cultural fluency, and a passion for empowering people. Tookta’s unwavering commitment to excellence, ability to inspire teams, and leadership have helped create a supportive and thriving school community, benefiting students, staff, and families alike.

• Hoa Pham Thi Phuong
  Chief Finance Officer
  Hoa Pham Thi Phuong

  Hoa Pham is a finance professional with extensive expertise in financial and business budget planning, management reporting, and accounting systems. With a strong background in financial KPIs, variance analysis, and internal auditing, she has effectively supported organisations in achieving their financial objectives while ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Hoa Pham is highly skilled in establishing and maintaining robust accounting systems, managing risk through careful reviews and mitigation strategies, and implementing strong internal control frameworks to safeguard financial integrity.

  Holding an MBA and professional certifications including CPA Vietnam and ACCA, Hoa Pham has a proven track record of leading finance teams and providing strategic financial guidance. As CFO at PBIS, she has led numerous financial initiatives, driving improvements in operational efficiency and organisational financial health. Passionate about staff development, Hoa offers training and coaching in financial management, risk management frameworks, and fraud prevention to contributing to long-term organisational success.

• Thitchinda Langsy
  Head of Administration
  Thitchinda Langsy

  Thitchinda (Ana) is the Head of Administration and Admissions at Panyathip British International School. With extensive experience in customer service, administration, and leadership, Ana manages all administrative operations and oversees the admissions process across the school’s three campuses. She ensures efficient workflows and effective communication with parents, students, and staff.

  Ana is committed to streamlining processes, upholding high service standards and promoting collaboration within her team.

  She takes pride in leading a dedicated team that plays an integral role in delivering a positive experience for parents and students while supporting the smooth operation of the school community.

• Nanefa Thoummaly
  Head of School Registrar & Deputy Head of School Administration
  Nanefa Thoummaly

  Nanefa Thoummaly (Fa) is the Head of School Registrar and Deputy Head of Administration at Panyathip British International School. With a decade of experience in data management and systems, she oversees the efficient operation of registrar services and administrative processes.

  Her expertise in optimising workflows and improving systems supports efficient campus-wide coordination, contributing to a seamless experience for students, staff and the wider community.

• Houngchaleunxay Kenesane
  Head of Student Recruitment & Communication
  Houngchaleunxay Kenesane

  Houngchaleunxay Kenesane is the Head of Student Recruitment and Communications at Panyathip British International School.