The English Speaking Board (International) Ltd was founded in 1953 by Christabel Burniston MBE, President of ESB until her death in 2006.
President: Jocelyn BellVice President: Merriel Halsall-Williams
Patrons: Gervase Phinn http://www.gervase-phinn.com/ Sue Palmer http://www.suepalmer.co.uk/
Board of Trustees:Paul Kilvington: Chairman http://theschoolbrandingexperts.com/ Becky Edwards: Honorary Treasurer Catherine ForresterQuentin OliverDeborah NewmanTish NicollPippa Quarrell
Operational Team
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, Sweden, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
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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?"
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 the role of Reader at the Royal Chapel at Hampton Court Palace.
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!
Alison went to school in Formby and, from an early age, attended Speech and Drama lessons achieving numerous qualifications with ESB, Guildhall and L.A.M.D.A, as well as regularly participating in local Drama Festivals. Alison studied at Dartington College of Arts in south Devon, before training as a Youth Worker with Sefton Council and gaining her National Youth Workers’ Certificate. During this time, she wrote, produced and directed several productions and travelled with the Youth Service to Poland as part of an Arts Exchange Programme. Alison graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in English and Drama (Joint Hons). Post graduation, Alison continued to study Speech and Drama and has had various roles since. She was the resident Speech and Drama teacher at Mount Carmel School in Aughton from 2000-2008, where she taught every child from age 4-11, wrote and directed the school’s regular theatrical productions and prepared all the junior children for examinations with the English Speaking Board. Alison also ran her own after school drama workshops at Mount Carmel and other local schools as well as freelancing for other drama schools in the area. Alison still teaches Speech and Drama privately and is an assessor for the ESB.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, travel, cooking and writing.
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!
Following a successful career as teacher, lecturer, choreographer and producer, Carole was able to fulfil a long ambition to work with children and adults with learning, physical and sensory difficulties. She was able to bring her extensive experience to the English Speaking Board as an assessor in the early 90s. Having worked with children, students and adults in a variety of areas, her work had included research on Dance with blind and partially sighted adults and children, Choreography with the English gymnastics squad and many years teaching in special needs departments in FE colleges and special schools.
Her work as assessor led to examining in Kuwait and Egypt, together with the opportunity to deliver training opportunities in the Middle East for teachers and parents to develop ESB, communication skills and play. This culminated in an enjoyable year, with her husband, as Principal of a small special needs boarding school in Cairo.
On returning to the UK, Carole once more resumed her commitments in ESB and in 2009 she became a Moderator for the board and in the same year took over the reins of Entry Level Foundation Consultant (more commonly known as ELF Consultant/Chief ELF)
During her time in office, the syllabus for students with a vast array of difficulties has been extensively revised and recently 8 more qualifications have been added. Carole relishes the exciting changes in technology and recognises that yet more students now have the opportunity to communicate more freely. If you would like to contact her to discuss any aspects of the syllabus, please do.
Apart from ESB, Carole loves to see her grand children and to pursue her other hobbies of theatre, travel and crafting.
Merriel has a lifelong association with the English Speaking Board. 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 Schools2004 - 2006 ESB Chief Executive2006 - 2009 ESB International Liaison Officer
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sharon believes in providing excellent customer service in whatever role she is undertaking with an emphasis on a professional friendly approach to solving problems.
Toward the end of a successful career with the Metropolitan Police as a Police officer in London, Graham became a Management Development Trainer ensuring management level officers and support staff were appropriately equipped to perform their roles and responsibilities. On retirement he transferred the experience, knowledge and skills gained into a new career as a Learning, Training and Coaching professional trading as Galleou Training Consultancy based in outer west London.
Part of his business has been to become an Assessor with ESB in 1999 and subsequently a Trustee on the Board of Management. In his role as our ‘Adult Learners Consultant’ he passionately enjoys sharing the ethos of ESB with everybody he meets in business and education while encouraging people of all ages to reach their potential through the achievement of our qualifications.
He specialises in training groups and coaching individuals in Presentation Skills and the Training of Trainers & Teachers. Graham holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Maintaining personal physical fitness runs high on his out of work activities as does DIY and the company of family members especially his Grandchildren.
Debra has worked in an office environment since leaving school; firstly in a local factory and then at the General Register Office for England & Wales (locally know as Smedley Hydro) before joining ESB in 1994. Out of the office she enjoys listening to music and going to concerts/musical theatre, eating out, reading and the cinema.
Elaine joined ESB in the Summer of 2011. With over 30 years experience of Admin Support and Management in Education and Health & Social Care, Elaine is PA to the ESB Chief Executive and takes on the role of HR Manager.
A keen follower of football, Elaine was the Secretary of a Junior Football Club for 12 years.
Now her family have grown up (although not yet flown the nest), she has time to enjoy trips to the local Gym and long walks with her Golden Retriever in an effort to keep fit.
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 has recently completed an MSc in Management Development, and when not working or studying, she enjoys travelling, jogging and retail therapy.
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.
After obtaining her Degree at the University of Manchester, Jan immediately began working within a Social Work environment in Manchester and Liverpool.
Jan then became an ESOL Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at Liverpool City College before moving into ESOL Programme Management. Prior to starting her work with ESB in 2008, Jan was an independent ESOL Consultant to a number of organisations.
Now a Grandmother of two, Jan ensures she spends quality time with her family on her days away from ESB.
Graeme joined ESB in March 2012. His technical background spans a number of sectors including eCommerce, ISP's and Education. He is currently studying for a Computing and IT Degree with the Open University.
In his spare time Graeme enjoys spending time with his partner Ashlea and their 3 children. A keen football fan, Graeme enjoys playing a 5-a-side football and is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC.
Since leaving Ormskirk Grammar School, Sheena has worked continually in busy office environments, both within the financial service industry and manufacturing. She brings to ESB enthusiasm and commitment to maintain high standards of customer service.
Outside work, she loves spending time with her family, very much enjoying trips to the theatre, meals out and family holidays.
Colin joined in 2010. He graduated from Keele University in 2006 with a B.A in Criminology and Law, going on to work for Her Majesty’s Courts Service in Liverpool and the National Probation Service in Preston providing administrative and case working support.
Colin regularly plays football and also keeps fit through going to his local gym and jogging around the West Lancashire area. He is also a fan of the cinema, action films in particular.
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!
Ryan joined ESB in November 2009, to work alongside the finance manager and deputy finance manager in the accounts department. Currently studying for a Business and Management degree at Edge Hill University.
A keen sports fan, with an interest in both playing and watching football and cricket, and an armchair motor sport fan.