The Team

Mr. Barry Kan is a seasoned business leader with nearly 30 years of regional management experience. He is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Secura Group Limited, a Singapore-listed security services company, and also serves as Executive Vice Chairman and Director of TMC Life Sciences Berhad, a publicly listed healthcare group in Malaysia.

Previously, Mr. Kan was Managing Director of the Prestige Division at Wearnes Automotive, where he led some of the world’s most distinguished marques, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Bugatti and McLaren.

He later served as Chief Executive Officer of Fastrack Iskandar, where he led the development of an integrated automotive and lifestyle hub in Iskandar Malaysia, in partnership with UEM Sunrise Berhad - a Bursa Malaysia-listed property development group majority-owned (via UEM Group) by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Barry is also Director and Governor of the Wellington College Education Singapore Group, contributing to strategic development and governance across its schools in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Dr. Lim Lai Cheng is an independent education adviser with extensive leadership experience in the Singapore education system and international education networks. She served as principal of three schools, including Raffles Institution, Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious school, and held senior positions at the Ministry of Education in corporate communications, curriculum planning, and policy development.

Internationally, Dr. Lim plays a prominent role in advancing positive education and sustainability in schools. She is a Board Member of the International Positive Education Network, Chair of the Singapore Positive Education Network and Co-founder of the Global Alliance of Leading-Edge Schools for Sustainability, a network of more than 30 schools worldwide. She also contributes as an adviser to several education foundations in Johannesburg, Bratislava, Moscow, Cyprus, Stockholm and Indonesia, and chairs the Advisory Board of Principals Academy Inc. Singapore.

In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Ministry of Education in 2012. As a member of the Board of Governors for WCESG, she brings deep expertise in school leadership, policy and international collaboration to guide the group’s educational vision and governance.

Mr. Paresh Thakrar is Managing Director at Wellington College International (WCI), bringing a distinctive blend of experience across finance, government and education. His early career in investment banking and subsequent roles in the UK Government equipped him with deep expertise in strategy, operations and global affairs, which he now applies to leading WCI’s international growth and institutional excellence.

Mr. Paresh’s academic foundation was laid at Cambridge University, where he graduated with First Class Honours in Natural Sciences and Management Studies. He began his career in investment banking in London before moving into public service, holding senior roles at the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. His government work included significant overseas postings and policy experience across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

On returning to the UK, Paresh completed an MBA at London Business School, graduating in the top 10% of his cohort. He then joined McKinsey & Company, advising financial institutions before moving to Hiscox, where he became Head of Strategy and later Chief Operating Officer of the company’s largest division. In 2020, Paresh transitioned into the education sector as Bursar of Winchester College, one of the UK’s most historic independent schools. There, he played a pivotal role in the College’s move to coeducation, expanded student enrolment and financial aid and led £100 million in capital development. His leadership at Winchester reflected both a strategic mindset and a deep, personal connection to education - rooted in a family of teachers.

Ms. Fiona Carter is International Director at Wellington College International (WCI), where she leads new school development across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. She also oversees the quality of Early Childhood and Primary education, ensuring it is academically rigorous and child-centric. Fiona supports leadership development, recruitment and succession planning and convenes cross-regional networks of leaders in Primary and Early Years education.

She began her career in Sheffield as a primary school teacher, later joining Forces Education in Germany and advancing into school leadership. Back in the UK, she contributed to school improvement teams and led large-scale government initiatives in SEND, Early Years and school planning and inspection.

Ms. Carter’s passion for international education took her to Early Excellence, where she led consultancy, training, and international school design. In 2018, she became Director of Academics for Wellington College China, based in Shanghai, and later led their Central Office Institute of Learning, supporting bilingual and international schools across China.

A regular international speaker, Ms. Carter is a committee member of the ECIS Special Interest Group for Early Childhood Education. She enjoys building networks across the WCI community and beyond. Outside of education, Ms. Carter is a keen equestrian.

Mr. Tan Wee Han is the Chief Executive Officer of Wellington College Education Singapore Group (WCESG), where he provides overall leadership, strategic direction and governance for the group’s operations across Southeast Asia. He is responsible for guiding WCESG’s mission to establish world-class Wellington College International schools in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, ensuring that each school reflects the distinctive heritage and ethos of Wellington College. 

Educated in Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic, Mr. Tan went on to earn a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and an MBA from the University of Dubuque (USA). His career spans leadership across start-ups and listed companies on the Singapore Exchange, with broad experience in the food and beverage, wholesale and distribution, media, event management and security industries.  

An entrepreneur at heart, Mr. Tan has built and led businesses that balance growth with innovation. At WCESG, he combines this entrepreneurial acumen with his passion for children’s growth and education, driving the group’s ambition to deliver schools that nurture future-ready, well-rounded learners. 

A committed Christian, Mr. Tan’s leadership is grounded in faith, values and a dedication to purpose-driven education and service.

Ms. Lesley Wong brings extensive international experience in operations and project management, having held senior roles at Ford Motor Company, American Express and PwC Consulting. Her career has been defined by driving business growth, implementing large-scale projects and optimising performance across complex organisations. As Director of Operations for Wellington College Education Singapore Group (WCESG), she leads regional operations and oversees planning and development initiatives across Southeast Asia. 

Fluent in English, Chinese and Cantonese, Ms. Wong is adept at navigating diverse cultural and business contexts, enabling her to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. 

She holds an MBA from Cranfield University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, providing her with a strong academic foundation in finance, strategy and international business that underpins her leadership in the education sector.