About

A Group
Built to Last

Message
from our Founder

When we began, our belief was a simple one: that education is the most powerful investment any society can make, and that every learner, whatever their circumstances, deserves the chance to realise their potential.

From our roots in Qatar, that belief has grown into something I could scarcely have imagined: a group of schools, a university and a professional academy, and partnerships that now reach from Doha to Scotland and beyond. Yet through all that growth, what unites our institutions has never changed. It is a commitment to care, to challenge, and to purpose in everything we do.

I am proud of how far we have come, and even more excited by what lies ahead. Whatever brings you to ACES, whether as a parent, a student, a partner or a colleague, you are joining a family that believes, deeply and practically, in the difference education makes.

Welcome.

Natra Abdulla Founder and Chairperson of the Board
Artan Holding
Natra Abdulla

ACES began in Qatar thirty years ago as a single, pioneering education enterprise. From those roots we have grown steadily and deliberately into a global education group, owning and operating institutions in Qatar and operating schools of distinction in the United Kingdom, while advising partners across the world.

Ours has never been growth for its own sake. Each step has been guided by the same belief that started us, that every learner's journey matters, and by a determination to do things properly, and to last. It is a story we are still writing.

Doha British School opens in Qatar

Doha British School
opens in Qatar

Message from
Director of Education

Welcome to ACES.

At ACES, our mission is simple: to deliver exceptional educational outcomes through excellence in teaching, leadership, innovation, and operational performance.

As Director of Education, I am privileged to lead a diverse and ambitious portfolio that spans schools, professional and vocational education, and higher education. Through our schools, Qatar Skills Academy, and City University Qatar (CUQ), we provide learners with a seamless pathway from early education to professional qualification and lifelong success.

Across our portfolio, our focus is unwavering: ensuring every learner achieves their full potential. We combine high expectations, evidence-informed practice, strong governance, and system-wide accountability to create environments where students, staff, and institutions flourish. This commitment has enabled us to build a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable excellence across all our educational enterprises.

What distinguishes ACES is our ability to unite educational excellence with operational excellence. Drawing upon extensive international experience in school improvement, educational leadership, and organisational transformation, we support our institutions to deliver outstanding outcomes while maintaining efficiency, scalability, and long-term sustainability.

Our ambition extends beyond individual institutions. We are building a connected educational ecosystem where schools, skills development, and higher education work together to prepare young people and professionals for success in an increasingly dynamic global economy. Through Qatar Skills Academy and City University Qatar, we ensure that learners have access to qualifications, professional development opportunities, and career-focused education that respond directly to the needs of employers and industry.

For investors, partners, and stakeholders, ACES represents a trusted platform for educational growth and impact. Our commitment to robust governance, disciplined execution, and measurable outcomes creates an environment where educational and commercial objectives are aligned, delivering value while remaining firmly centred on learners.

As we look to the future, our vision is clear: to establish ACES as a leading international education group recognised for outstanding learner outcomes, transformative school improvement, operational excellence, and meaningful contribution to the communities we serve.

Thank you for visiting ACES. We invite you to discover our schools, Qatar Skills Academy, City University Qatar, and the talented people who make our mission a reality.

Hugh Hegarty Director of Education - ACES
Hugh Hegarty

Hugh Hegarty

Director of Education

Lynette Grant

Lynette Grant

Director of Curriculum and
Quality Standards

Carolyn Bailey

Carolyn Bailey

Director of Schools

Dr. Luke Cheater

Dr. Luke Cheater

DBS Ain Khaled Principal

Andrew Michael Hurst

Andrew Michael Hurst

DBS Al Wakra Principal

Robnawaz Khan

Robnawaz Khan

DBS Rawadat Al Hamama Principal

Prof. Dr.Faris Gorashi

Prof. Dr.Faris Gorashi

President of City University Qatar

Magdelena Riley

Magdelena Riley

Vice President Operations & Quality

Dr. Dimitrios Diamantis

Dr. Dimitrios Diamantis

Vice President, Academic Affairs

Mohamed Aboushanab

Mohamed Aboushanab

Qatar Skills Business Manager

Daniela Terzic

Daniela Terzic

DBS Operation Head

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