Leadership Team

Ciaran Harrington became Principal of The BSA in 2025. A career teacher and leader, he has worked in and led schools across the globe. Moving from London in 2008, Ciaran has an international headship career in British International Schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, and most recently Stockholm. A great believer in evidence-informed practices, Ciaran has driven initiatives to achieve the best outcomes for every young person in schools. An advocate for staff professional learning, he has also chaired a committee for staff development within a federation of more than 100 schools. Ciaran advocates for a growth mindset and encourages his students and staff to pursue continuous improvement, every single day.

Bas van Haver joined The BSA in 2019, initially working on the Havenstraat building project before becoming Bursar on the Management Board. In this role, he oversees school operations, risk management, compliance, and community engagement, utilizing his Dutch nationality to strengthen local relationships. Before The BSA, Bas held financial and leadership positions in international companies, including Reed Exhibitions and Orangina-Schweppes, in both the Netherlands and China. He holds a master’s degree in business economics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a post-master’s in Finance & Control from the UvA – Amsterdam Business School.

Originally from the UK, Claudia trained in Brighton and lived and worked in Bristol before relocating to the Netherlands. This year marks her 31st year of service at the school. Claudia has worked in a variety of educational roles at The BSA but it is within the Early Years School where her passion truly resides. The school serves not only as a professional hub but also as a vibrant social community, fostering enduring friendships among its members. Claudia considers working with families from across the globe one of the most fulfilling aspects of her position.

Melanie Fidge brings extensive experience in creating nurturing environments for young learners, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to academic excellence. A Cambridge University graduate in Modern Languages, she began her career in the voluntary sector, leading fundraising teams at VSO and Save the Children. After completing her teacher training at Goldsmiths University, she gained teaching experience in London and at international schools in Thailand and the UAE. Returning to the UK, she worked in both state and prep schools before bringing her diverse expertise to The BSA.

Judy Bakker has a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years, she boasts expertise in various facets of general and financial management. Judy’s career highlights include serving as the General Manager at Bouchard Finlayson (a renowned wine farm in South Africa), Head of Finance at Abagold Ltd (based in South Africa), and spearheading the Deloitte Sport, Media, and Entertainment division in South Africa for a tenure of 5 years. Additionally, she has contributed her financial acumen as the Finance Manager at M-Net, a premium broadcaster listed in South Africa.

Rosanna Russo has served as Operations Manager at The BSA since 2019, bringing 18 years of experience in school business management and 15 years in corporate administration. She holds a specialized certification from the National College of School Leadership in the UK. Rosanna has refined her expertise through diverse roles in prominent organizations across South Africa, including The Board of Executors, Marriott Property Group, NBS Bank, and Gestetner. Her extensive background equips her to effectively manage operations and contribute to the success of The BSA.

Zee Mirza joined The BSA as Head of Technology in August 2023, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in educational IT. His diverse background includes roles supporting individual schools and guiding Academy Trusts through IT transitions. Zee is committed to revolutionizing learning environments with innovative solutions and has earned recognition for his contributions to school innovation and exceptional customer service. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has a strong passion for technology, AI, and home automation, while also valuing time spent with family and friends.