Governance

DIA Barsha is an international IB school in Dubai for children aged 3 to 18, offering PYP, MYP, DP & CP. Covering 23 acres, the centrally-located campus provides outstanding sport and performance facilities, allowing a broad education of academics, skills development and character education.

About Us
Governance

board & Advisory Council

Governance at DIAB comprises of the Board of Directors (Board) and an Advisory Council.

The Board includes the owners and an independent member. It is involved in all strategic areas including the school’s philosophy and objectives, policies, appointment and review of the leadership team, managing key relationships, ensuring quality infrastructure, resources and financial stability.

Board of directors
Avishesha ( Avi ) Bhojani - Managing Director Avi leads businesses across marketing services, media, education, real estate investments, and government sectors. At the helm of BPG Group since 1991, he consolidates operations across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management, and digital platforms throughout the MENA region. He has played a key role in shaping landmark Dubai initiatives, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Quality Award, and the development of Dubai’s knowledge economy hubs. An alumnus of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore, Avi is Managing Director of Innoventures Education. Widely regarded as one of the GCC’s most influential expatriates, Avi has been honoured by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and recognised by Forbes ME and Arabian Business. Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair - Director Abdulla is a UAE national and third-generation member of a prominent business family, bringing deep cultural insight and strong commercial acumen to the organisations he is part of. His experience spans marketing services, education, contracting, building materials, retail, and ceramic tile manufacturing. Abdulla serves on the board of Majid Al Futtaim Real Estate and is Chairman of BPG Group, a leading marketing solutions provider across the MENA region. H.E. Dr. Anwar mohammed Gargash - Director His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash previously served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and currently acts as Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE. An academic by training, he taught political science for more than a decade at UAE University and has an extensive scholarly background. Dr. Gargash also serves on several government and advisory boards. Until recently, he was Executive Director of Gargash Enterprises, the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. He studied political science at George Washington University and earned his doctorate from King’s College, Cambridge University.

Board of directors

Avishesha ( Avi ) Bhojani - Managing Director

Avi leads businesses across marketing services, media, education, real estate investments, and government sectors. At the helm of BPG Group since 1991, he consolidates operations across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management, and digital platforms throughout the MENA region. He has played a key role in shaping landmark Dubai initiatives, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Quality Award, and the development of Dubai’s knowledge economy hubs. An alumnus of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore, Avi is Managing Director of Innoventures Education. Widely regarded as one of the GCC’s most influential expatriates, Avi has been honoured by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and recognised by Forbes ME and Arabian Business.

Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair - Director

Abdulla is a UAE national and third-generation member of a prominent business family, bringing deep cultural insight and strong commercial acumen to the organisations he is part of. His experience spans marketing services, education, contracting, building materials, retail, and ceramic tile manufacturing. Abdulla serves on the board of Majid Al Futtaim Real Estate and is Chairman of BPG Group, a leading marketing solutions provider across the MENA region.

H.E. Dr. Anwar mohammed Gargash - Director

His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash previously served as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and currently acts as Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE. An academic by training, he taught political science for more than a decade at UAE University and has an extensive scholarly background. Dr. Gargash also serves on several government and advisory boards. Until recently, he was Executive Director of Gargash Enterprises, the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. He studied political science at George Washington University and earned his doctorate from King’s College, Cambridge University.

In addition to the below permanent members, the Advisory Council will comprise of the school leadership team, teachers, parents and students from both Primary and Secondary sections.

advisory council
Avishesha ( Avi ) Bhojani Avi's 40+ year career spans marketing services, media, education, private equity, real estate direct investments and government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group (www.bpggroup.com) since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region. Avi has also assisted in the conceptualisation and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas). An alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is the Managing Director of Innoventures Education; General Partner of Montana Capital Ltd, the holding company of Ramusake and Copper Dog in Dubai, AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. He is also on the Board of Governors of The International Institute of Tolerance by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the VP/ PM of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Avi is widely recognised as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honoured by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognised by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company. Alan Egbert Alan has been a Teacher, Teacher Educator, Educational Consultant, and currently is General Manager of the Australian Council for Educational, Dubai office and is responsible for the direction of a wide national and international programs in the UAE and Middle East region. He has extensive experience in working with schools and developing effective assessment programs for students and schools. Alan is currently also Project Director for the UAE National Assessment Program (UAENAP 2015). He is also a parent at DIA. Ben Bailey Ben has worked for the University of Birmingham since 2015, currently as its Campus Director and moved to Dubai in January 2018. Ben’s early career was in social care with local authorities in the UK after graduating from the University of Nottingham. He has held senior roles in Student Services in UK universities for over 15 years and was also formerly Chair of the UK’s national Student Services organization, AMOSSHE. Ben has also held significant partnership roles with national Higher Education bodies on areas of national policy and strategy affecting Student Services. Alongside professional life Ben was a Governor of an Independent Day School in the UK for 7 years and was the Chair of its Governing Board. Ben believes in the transformative power of education and research and the positive impact it can have on improving outcomes for people. His professional and voluntary work has been dedicated to enabling people to reach their potential. Poonam Bhojani Poonam is an Economics Honours Graduate with an MBA from India's premier business school, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Prior to envisioning and cofounding Dubai International Academy, Poonam has had significant industry experience working on leading edge technology solutions with a range of organizations across India, Hong Kong, USA, Belgium, Sweden, The Netherlands, Oman and UAE. She is the CEO of Innoventures Education and has served as the President of the Middle East IB Association of Schools and is the Secretary of the Dubai Private Schools Group. Michael Stephen Michael Stephen is a Chartered Accountant with a Diploma in Portfolio Management and has worked across consulting, industry, and academia. He was a core member of the founding team at Innoventures Education and played a key role in establishing Dubai International Academy. He began his career in audit, tax, corporate law, and advisory services, and has since built strong expertise in business strategy, financial structuring, operations, and investments. Michael is particularly focused on business and financial modelling, strategic partnerships, and executing new ventures. In 2005, he co-founded Eternus Foundation in Chennai, supporting underprivileged children with education and healthcare. He is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants (UK) and has served on the faculty of a business school in Dubai.
James Roberts
James has over 20 years of senior leadership experience across a diverse range of schools and educational organisations. He was previously CEO of one of the largest education services companies in the UK, leading the initial launch and establishment of this company as a profitable, growing business. He is a vastly experienced executive education leader who works with the CEO and school teams to drive forward the group’s performance agenda and secure the highest quality outcomes for every student. As well as a degree in Biochemistry, James has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management, along with the National Professional Qualification for Headship. He firmly believes in unlocking the potential of every child academically, personally and socially through a continuous and relentless drive for sustained improvement in the quality of education.

advisory council

Avishesha ( Avi ) Bhojani

Avi's 40+ year career spans marketing services, media, education, private equity, real estate direct investments and government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group (www.bpggroup.com) since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region. Avi has also assisted in the conceptualisation and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas).

An alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is the Managing Director of Innoventures Education; General Partner of Montana Capital Ltd, the holding company of Ramusake and Copper Dog in Dubai, AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. He is also on the Board of Governors of The International Institute of Tolerance by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the VP/ PM of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Avi is widely recognised as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honoured by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognised by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company.

Alan Egbert

Alan has been a Teacher, Teacher Educator, Educational Consultant, and currently is General Manager of the Australian Council for Educational, Dubai office and is responsible for the direction of a wide national and international programs in the UAE and Middle East region. He has extensive experience in working with schools and developing effective assessment programs for students and schools. Alan is currently also Project Director for the UAE National Assessment Program (UAENAP 2015). He is also a parent at DIA.

Ben Bailey

Ben has worked for the University of Birmingham since 2015, currently as its Campus Director and moved to Dubai in January 2018. Ben’s early career was in social care with local authorities in the UK after graduating from the University of Nottingham. He has held senior roles in Student Services in UK universities for over 15 years and was also formerly Chair of the UK’s national Student Services organization, AMOSSHE. Ben has also held significant partnership roles with national Higher Education bodies on areas of national policy and strategy affecting Student Services. Alongside professional life Ben was a Governor of an Independent Day School in the UK for 7 years and was the Chair of its Governing Board. Ben believes in the transformative power of education and research and the positive impact it can have on improving outcomes for people. His professional and voluntary work has been dedicated to enabling people to reach their potential.

Poonam Bhojani

Poonam is an Economics Honours Graduate with an MBA from India's premier business school, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Prior to envisioning and cofounding Dubai International Academy, Poonam has had significant industry experience working on leading edge technology solutions with a range of organizations across India, Hong Kong, USA, Belgium, Sweden, The Netherlands, Oman and UAE. She is the CEO of Innoventures Education and has served as the President of the Middle East IB Association of Schools and is the Secretary of the Dubai Private Schools Group.

Michael Stephen

Michael Stephen is a Chartered Accountant with a Diploma in Portfolio Management and has worked across consulting, industry, and academia. He was a core member of the founding team at Innoventures Education and played a key role in establishing Dubai International Academy.

He began his career in audit, tax, corporate law, and advisory services, and has since built strong expertise in business strategy, financial structuring, operations, and investments. Michael is particularly focused on business and financial modelling, strategic partnerships, and executing new ventures. In 2005, he co-founded Eternus Foundation in Chennai, supporting underprivileged children with education and healthcare. He is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants (UK) and has served on the faculty of a business school in Dubai.

James Roberts

James has over 20 years of senior leadership experience across a diverse range of schools and educational organisations. He was previously CEO of one of the largest education services companies in the UK, leading the initial launch and establishment of this company as a profitable, growing business. He is a vastly experienced executive education leader who works with the CEO and school teams to drive forward the group’s performance agenda and secure the highest quality outcomes for every student. As well as a degree in Biochemistry, James has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management, along with the National Professional Qualification for Headship. He firmly believes in unlocking the potential of every child academically, personally and socially through a continuous and relentless drive for sustained improvement in the quality of education.

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Governance | About Us | DIA Al Barsha | Dubai, U.A.E

GOVERNANCE