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.”
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.”
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.
“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.”
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. Contributing to a diverse, inclusive team with inspiring leadership is something I truly value.”
Emma Penhallurick
Recruitment Specialist
Emma brings nearly 20 years of teaching experience to her role in matching exceptional educators with premium international schools.
Her background in law and education gives her a sharp eye for what makes a great teacher – not just the qualifications on paper, but the pedagogical excellence and cultural adaptability that matter in international classrooms.
Having taught at A-Level and degree level herself, Emma knows that exceptional teaching goes beyond subject mastery. It’s about connecting meaningfully across cultures and thriving in diverse environments.
Extensive global travel has deepened her understanding of different educational systems and school cultures. She acknowledges that each school partnership requires an understanding of what makes the school unique, from their academic philosophy to their community values.
This blend of classroom experience, analytical thinking, and international insight makes Emma a trusted partner to schools building outstanding educational communities.
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.”
Francis Arcilla
Marketing Assistant
Francis supports Lucy across chk Education’s content and communications work, from drafting candidate-facing resources to liaising with the recruitment team on advertising and promoting live roles. He manages all newsletters, keeping schools and candidates informed and engaged.
His background is in hospital administration, where he built a meticulous approach to document control and quality assurance over ten years. That attention to detail now shows up in the accuracy and consistency of chk’s content, from job adverts to candidate communications.
Francis works closely with Emma and Rachael to make sure opportunities reach the right people at the right time, and he keeps the team’s marketing output running smoothly day to day.
“Working at chk Education is incredibly fulfilling. I love being part of a team with strong leadership and genuine support for one another. Being able to help communicate opportunities that lead teachers to their next role internationally gives me real satisfaction. With chk’s growth, I’m motivated to keep supporting our candidates’ journeys and our marketing work.”
