College Leadership Team

Mr Barney Durrant has significant experience in independent schools, and believes strongly that academic and pastoral development is inextricably linked. The promotion of positive wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem combined with a curriculum embedded with co-curricular and enrichment activities allows pupils to thrive at school, whilst also developing the knowledge, skills and habits to become highly successful in later life.

Before joining Brighton College, Abu Dhabi, Mr Durrant was Head at St Lawrence College in the UK for five years, where all three of his children attended and his wife, Charlie, also taught. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Harrow Hong Kong where he was the Principal Deputy Head Pastoral and one of the founding members of the Senior Leadership Team. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Nottingham and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from University College London. He played rugby at a high level when he was younger, and as well as gaining his PGCE from Cambridge University he also gained a Full Blue in Athletics.

Mrs Ruth Forsythe is an outstanding educational leader with a wealth of experience in the field. She has dedicated over a decade of her career to Brighton College Abu Dhabi, and her impact has been felt throughout the College Community.  Mrs Forsythe's leadership style is characterised by a commitment to the holistic development of all pupils. She strives to create an authentic environment where pupils can strive academically and personally.  As a parent of two children at the College it places Mrs Forsythe in a unique advantage to allow her to understand the needs and perspectives of both pupils and parents. 

Beyond her role as an educational leader, Mrs Forsythe is a compassionate mentor and an advocate for personal and professional growth. She invests time and energy in empowering the staff, equipping them with tools and strategies needed to make a lasting impact on the lives of their pupils and beyond.  

Mr Crafts joined Brighton College Abu Dhabi as Head of Senior School in 2026, bringing over fifteen years of leadership experience across both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

Prior to joining Brighton College Abu Dhabi, he served as a whole-school Assistant Principal at GEMS Education and as an Assistant Head of Secondary at The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys in Abu Dhabi, holding responsibility for pastoral care, pupil achievement, teaching and learning, curriculum development, quality assurance, pupil leadership and a wide range of whole-school strategic initiatives. Before relocating to the UAE in 2020, Mr Crafts held a range of middle and senior leadership positions in highly successful schools in the U.K.

As Head of Senior School, Mr Crafts is committed to fostering a culture of curiosity, confidence and kindness, underpinned by high expectations, strong relationships and a belief that every pupil can achieve excellence. He is particularly focused on ensuring that pupils leave Brighton College Abu Dhabi not only with outstanding academic outcomes, but also with the character, resilience and leadership skills required to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Mr Luke Bromwich has extensive experience of leading successful schools in the Independent and State sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Before joining Brighton College, Abu Dhabi, Mr Bromwich was Headmaster at St Margaret’s Prep, Calne where he also played a key role as a member of the Executive Leadership Team at the sister school, St Mary’s, Calne.

Before this, Mr Bromwich lived in Hong Kong for 6 years, where he worked at Kellett School as Deputy Head with responsibility for the development of the curriculum, assessment procedures and the quality of teaching and learning. Mr Bromwich is an active member of IAPS and has experience of supporting school development as a Foundation Governor.  Mr Bromwich enjoys collaborating with colleagues to drive standards and manage change. Mr Bromwich grew up in Devon and studied Engineering at Exeter University before pursuing his passion in education.  

Ms Kelly Mansbridge, Head of Pre-Prep at Brighton College, Abu Dhabi, joined the College six years ago. She is a dedicated educational leader with a wealth of experience both in the UAE and the UK. Ms Mansbridge is deeply committed to early education and creating opportunities for every child to feel success.

Ms Mansbridge strongly believes in preparing children for the future, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. She promotes a culture of kindness, compassion, and tolerance, as well as cultivating the learning skills to equip children with the resilience and perseverance needed to overcome challenges and succeed in their pursuits. Ms Mansbridge fosters a love for learning and provides a supportive and nurturing environment. By nurturing a passion for knowledge and creating a safe and inclusive space, she ensures that every child at Brighton College, Abu Dhabi can thrive academically and grow into a well-rounded individual.

Dr Qusay Eid is Director of MOE Subjects at Brighton College Abu Dhabi and a member of the College Leadership Team. He provides strategic and academic leadership for Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies across the College, with a focus on high-quality teaching and learning, curriculum development and strong pupil outcomes.

Dr Eid has extensive experience in educational leadership across British and international school settings in the UAE. Throughout his career, he has contributed to school improvement, curriculum development, quality assurance and professional learning, supporting teachers and leaders in strengthening educational provision and raising standards.

He is passionate about ensuring that MOE subjects make a meaningful contribution to pupils’ wider educational experience, enabling them to develop their knowledge and understanding of Arabic language, Islamic culture and the UAE’s society and heritage. His leadership emphasises academic ambition, evidence-informed improvement, teacher development and positive partnerships with pupils, colleagues and families.

Dr Anas Al Mulla is the Manager of School Operations at Brighton College Abu Dhabi. With more than 15 years of experience across schools, colleges and higher education in the UAE, he brings a distinctive combination of strategic leadership and operational expertise to the College.

Dr Al Mulla holds a PhD and brings academic insight alongside his extensive leadership experience. He plays a key role in shaping the environment in which Brighton pupils learn, grow and flourish. His leadership encompasses the strategic development of the College’s operations, campus, safety, compliance and major campus development and investment programmes. A key strength of his leadership is translating strategic priorities into visible and measurable improvements, ensuring that the College’s environment and resources consistently support the highest standards of education.

He believes that outstanding schools are defined not only by what happens in the classroom, but also by the quality, safety and ambition of the environment surrounding every pupil. He is passionate about continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams and creating an exceptional experience for pupils, staff and families.