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Who's who in ESB
Executive
Office
Christabel Burniston MBE
The Founding President of ESB, Mrs Christabel Burniston MBE, died peacefully on 27th October 2006, at age 97. Christabel founded the English Speaking Board in 1953 and was its President until her death in 2006. A Founder member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators - she was made honorary life member. She was a Vice President of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Adjudicator to the British Federation of Festivals 1947 to 1991. Christabel had pioneered education in oral skills and the language arts in the UK and various parts of the English speaking world. For this she was awarded, in 1979, the MBE. In October 1999, she was given a reception in the House of Lords to celebrate her 90th birthday. In addition to examining for the English Speaking Board, her former appointments include: County Drama Organiser for Lancashire 1945 - 1950; Principal of the North West School of Speech and Drama 1950 - 1968. External Examiner in Spoken English to the Education Institutes of the Universities of Aberdeen, Cambridge, Durham, Leicester, Newcastle and Nottingham. Her lecture, adjudication and examining tours abroad included: Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Swden, South Africa and Zimbabwe. <back to topLesley Cook
Lesley was appointed Chief Executive of ESB in September 2006, and combines the role with that of Chief Examiner. After a first career as an RAF Officer, where she practised and examined oral communication as an Air Traffic Controller, she taught History, English and of course ESB. She built business experience in a Project Management consultancy role in Oxfordshire, before joining ESB as an assessor in the nineties. She has been in charge of all examiner training since 2001. She says, "I am acutely aware of the privilege it is to be entrusted with upholding the vision conceived and fulfilled by Christabel Burniston over 50 years ago, as well as by her successors. We have a brilliant team, determined to spread her ideas and philosophy as widely as possible. Everyone in ESB knows how effective our assessments are at building individual confidence and standards of spoken English. Why not contact us to see how you can benefit too?" <back to topCelia Baly
Based in Surrey, Celia took up her current position with ESB in November 2006 having previously served as a schools assessor. Originally trained and employed as a business PA, Celia entered Higher Education as a mature student with a young family. Her first and post graduate degrees in English and Drama took her into an English teaching career which she still pursues now in the capacity of home tutor. Other interests and expertise include group facilitation in emotional literacy (especially in education) and teaching at Richmond College on an Intermediate Counselling Course. Staying abreast of the government's many and wide ranging planned changes in education is an aspect of her work for ESB that Celia finds challenging and absorbing, especially when it comes to ensuring that our qualifications meet new requirements and changing frameworks head on! <back to topSusan Brown
Susan was born in Lancashire, got as far South as Staffordshire for university, then fled back North for the rest of her life. She has three children and more grandchildren than she cares to count. A degree in English and Politics seemed the perfect foundation for a life in ESOL teaching. After a couple of years on supply in primary schools and a language centre for newly arrived immigrant children, she volunteered as a Home Tutor to a Vietnamese "Boat" family. That led to work as an ESOL teacher in a large FE college from 1983 till 2005 and, for a few years, as a Section Leader. She has belonged to NATECLA since she became an ESOL teacher and she is currently the North West Branch representative on the Management Council which helps her keep close to ESOL issues. Susan began assessing for ESB around 2000, after happily using ESB exams with her students from the time when external accreditation began to be needed. She became ESB's ESOL/EAL consultant in October 2005 and hasn't looked back or sat down since! <back to topMerriel Halsall-Williams
Formerly Head of English and Drama at two schools where ESB became an integral part of the English Curriculum Year Groups 6 -12. 1992 - 2004 ESB Liaison Officer for Independent Schools
As an Examiner for ESB and Adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, she has worked in all areas of the UK and abroad, notably Malta, Spain, Cork, Hong Kong and Singapore. <back to topRosemary Ham
Rosemary Ham edits Speaking English, after working as an assessor for ESB and serving on the Board of Trustees for 6 years. She began her career as an editorial assistant in an international publishing house but then turned to teaching and was Head of English at an Independent girls' school for 10 years. She has written articles and reviews in the Times Educational Supplement and other publications, and now lives in Herefordshire. <back to topBryony Huntley
Bryony Huntley joined ESB as an examiner and as a consultant for Schools' Liaison in 2005, having retired as Head of a local Prep School in December, 2004. Thirty years of teaching English and Drama at various levels and in various schools around the world have given her wide experience of children's needs and she brings great enthusiasm for all ESB syllabuses. Her responsibilities include promoting the many benefits of ESB and she visits schools to run INSET courses for teachers and Workshops for pupils. These sessions are fun and informative and give an insight into how ESB syllabuses work for staff, pupils, parents and governors in developing pupils' confident communication skills Bryony is kept busy as a governor of the Prior Park Schools Foundation and keeps her own professional development up-to-date by membership of the Voice Care Network and of the Avon branch of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. She adjudicates locally for the Rotary Youth Speaks initiative and is also a keen supporter of the Mid Somerset Festival, which takes place in Bath each year. Leisure time is spent with husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends and if there are any 'spare' moments, particularly in spring and summer, you will find her in the garden! <back to topWendy Sutcliffe
Educated at a convent on the Wirral and trained in Psychology, Wendy's first job was as Personnel Officer at a Liverpool Engineering company. After marriage and 2 children and a move to Shropshire (because of her husband's job), she retrained at Birmingham University and obtained a B.Ed.(Hons). She then taught English for 22 years, ending up as Head of English (using ESB every year!) and Head of School. After taking early retirement, she did an ESOL course and is currently a sessional Iniversity Lecturer. She joined ESB in 2000 and has examined all the syllabi. She is looking forward to being part of the Management team and working with the steering group to develop and promote the wide use of ESB. <back to topMarjorie Walker
Marjorie has a background in Theatre,Television production work, Public Speaking and teaching. She has taught and developed oral communication in many prisons,and as Prison Consultant she also trains prison tutors to teach this subject. Marjorie is an Examiner and Fellow of ESB, and also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. <back to topWendie Atherton
Wendie is originally from Wigan (and yes she does like her pies!!) but moved to Southport last year to live with her partner. Before joining ESB she worked as a secretary for Social Services for 3 years. Currently finishing a course in social work at Bolton College with a view to continuing study towards a degree at University in the future. Out of work she enjoys ice skating, watching films and socialising with friends and family. <back to topSharon Davidson
Sharon joined ESB in 2005 having spent seven years in Senior Management with a major catalogue company and now manages all ESB exams as well as looking after our wide panel of assessors. She has managed the family hotel intermittently over the last 20+ yrs and thrives on providing excellent customer service in whatever role she is undertaking. Sharon has travelled extensively, including six years at sea with her husband before settling down to raise three children (currently teenagers). <back to topKarl Jordan
Karl joined ESB in 1997 after getting work experience at Southport Town Hall and Sefton Chamber of Commerce, and working for a short period as a civil servant. His duties include assisting in the office administration, editing this website and basic IT troubleshooting around the office. His picture does not appear on this site for obscure and complicated technical reasons and has nothing to do with him disliking having his photograph taken! <back to topYvonne Killingbeck
Yvonne is married with two children. She was previously employed by a local confectionery manufacturer in Southport where she worked as a complaints / customer care administrator in the Technical department for 7 years. Out of the office she likes walking, reading, and her favourite hobby is shopping! <back to topChris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence, Man of Kent, lives on the lovely Wirral Peninsula and spends most weekends in the glorious South Lakes. After teaching and taking managerial roles in education, he is currently Deputy Finance Manager. Outdoor pursuits keep Chris busy in his leisure time along with a keen interest in the Arts. <back to topDebra Moore
Debra left school at 16 and went to work in the office of a local factory until being made redundant 12 years later. Then became a civil servant for 23 months before joining ESB in 1994. Out of work she spends a lot of time (and money) going to concerts, the cinema and eating! <back to topVeronica Swift
Veronica joined ESB in 1990 from an accountancy background. Her main responsibilities are to support the CEO and Trustees of the Board with accurate and up-to-date financial and management reports, compliant to SORPs, ESB's Governing Document and Charity Legislation. Veronica is currently studying for an MSc in Management Development, part time at Edge Hill University and when not working or studying, she enjoys travelling, jogging and retail therapy. <back to top |
