Coleen Hoare
Founder & Managing Director
Coleen brings 17 years of experience working in the education and recruitment sectors, including 8 years of international experience, she has successfully completed projects in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, South America, and Australia. She is a people-led leader whose passion is to build a company that people genuinely want to work in or with.
As Managing Director, Coleen drives strategic growth, secures contracts globally, and leads operations. With a focus on client-centric service, Coleen ensures smooth relocations, supporting new and expanding school projects for teachers and executive candidates worldwide.
“I wanted to create a trusted, mission aligned recruitment company where educators’ welfare and student success and safety is paramount.”
Connect with Coleen
coleen@chkeducation.com
Helen Kavanagh
Partner & Director
Helen brings over 30 years of global educational advisory experience, including two headships in England and overseeing 1,500 school inspections. She was International Business Director for Wellington College, CEO of Wellington College China, and has supported school operations in countries such as India, the UAE, Vietnam, Kenya, the US, Qatar, and Jordan.
As Partner and Director at chk, Helen spearheads the company’s mission to set new benchmarks in recruitment. These include elevating standards for teacher and executive search services and empowering visionary international schools and education groups with top-tier talent acquisition and service provision.
“Students should be centre stage and offered the chance to access world-class academic opportunities, take on new challenges to further develop themselves, and connect with international friends through the gateway of education. This can only be achieved if the right people are recruited to the right jobs.”
Connect with Helen
helen@chkeducation.com
Alicia Asbury
Executive Search Consultant & Account Manager (Middle East)
Alicia brings a fountain of knowledge, extensive agency and internal recruitment experience to the team. She has over 12 years of experience in education recruitment across the UK and UAE. She launched Prospero Teaching’s first international branch in Dubai, overseeing recruitment for the MENA and East/Southeast Asia regions, and later led corporate hiring and school expansion for Taaleem, leading greenfield projects and including twelve new schools during its IPO.
Now at chk, Alicia adds valuable consultative insights to our service offering. She combines her expertise in school expansion, executive search, and recruitment strategy with a passion for educational excellence, supporting institutions in achieving their growth goals.
“I’m excited to return to my passion for matching top talent with transformative schools at chk. My expertise includes school expansion, executive search, manpower planning, and efficient recruitment policies. I joined chk because its values and vision for international education align with my own, and I’m inspired by the team’s skills and exceptional women in leadership. I look forward to continuing my journey in shaping the future of international education.”
Connect with Alicia
alicia@chkeducation.com
Shona Morgan
Recruitment Specialist
Shona is a passionate Recruitment Consultant with eight years of global travel experience, dedicated to connecting exceptional educators with schools worldwide.
Her deep commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for young people inspired The BetterThanThis Foundation, reflecting her belief in doing better for families. Now with chk Education, Shona channels her resilience and positivity into shaping the future of education through meaningful connections. Shona’s passion for creating safe environments and her belief in supporting families align perfectly with chk’s values.
“I love working at chk because it’s a female-led, family-oriented company with strong values and a student-centric approach. My role is about finding the right fit for both teachers and schools to ensure happy teachers create better learning environments. I support teachers throughout the process and build strong relationships with schools to foster tight-knit teaching communities. It’s not just a job; it’s a rewarding lifestyle where I can truly make a difference.”
Connect with Shona
shona@chkeducation.com
Lucy Swindells
Marketing & Communications
Lucy is an exceptionally talented creative with over 10 years of marketing experience. Her versatility and design expertise span blogs, podcasts, websites, and more, enabling her to craft compelling content that resonates with diverse audiences. A natural storyteller, Lucy combines her creative skills with in-depth research and audience insights to ensure every piece of work reflects chk’s mission and values.
Since joining chk Education, Lucy has been instrumental in elevating the brand, increasing visibility, and fostering meaningful connections between schools, teachers, and chk. Lucy’s’ focus is on highlighting the integrity and expertise at the heart of what we do through.
“I love working for a people-focused company and admire chk’s strong ethics and values, constantly striving to do better. There is mutual respect between colleagues and clients. It feels great to be part of a company that values transparency and is truly committed to bettering education on a global scale.”
Connect with Lucy
lucy@chkeducation.com
Rachael Morphew
Recruitment Specialist
Rachael brings 14 years of teaching experience across state, independent, and further education sectors, alongside a degree in International Business and extensive global travel experience. Her deep understanding of cross-cultural communication and education enhances our ability to connect schools with the right talent, ensuring quality and care in every placement.
With a meticulous approach to recruitment, Rachael leverages her expertise to strengthen our screening processes and promote safer working practices in schools. As a former teacher and dedicated personal tutor, she is passionate about creating supportive environments that prioritise children’s wellbeing and success, reflecting chk brand values.
“I was drawn to chk’s vision for the business. Having worked with owner-founders and startups before, I know how exciting and fluid that environment and journey to growth can be. Working closely with Coleen, the owner-founder, allows me to see the business vision clearly and provides an opportunity for me to develop skills by learning from her decision-making. Working in an all-female team is really appealing and something I truly value.”
Connect with Rachael
rachael@chkeducation.com
Christina Arcilla
Recruitment Vetting and Screening
Christina is a highly resourceful and detail-oriented team player who has been a key contributor to chk’s growth. With 12 years of experience in HR, Christina brings a wealth of recruitment and vetting knowledge, supporting consultants and ensuring the smooth running of administrative processes. Her dedication to her work is appreciated by the entire team.
As a seasoned Recruitment and Sourcing Specialist, Christina leverages her training in safer recruitment from the Safeguarding Alliance to guide schools and teachers through thorough vetting processes, ensuring all necessary references and checks are in place. She also assists consultants in sourcing top-tier candidates for chk’s educational needs. Christina’s extensive expertise includes managing recruitment, payroll, psychometric exams, employee training and development, and ensuring compliance with DOH standards.
“Working at chk is incredibly fulfilling for me, thanks to the strong sense of teamwork and collaboration that defines our work culture. I find immense satisfaction in supporting both our candidates and consultants, knowing that my contributions could help drive the success of the team and our candidates’ journey in their career. I really feel a genuine sense of accomplishment in helping our consultants achieve their goals, and it’s gratifying to know that my efforts make a meaningful impact. This collective mindset not only keeps me motivated but also ensures every day is productive and rewarding.”
Connect with Christina
christina@chkeducation.com
“I wanted to create a trusted, mission aligned recruitment company where educators’ welfare and student success and safety is paramount.”
Coleen Hoare, Founder & Managing Director