Jane Dancaster Appointed President of IALC

Jane Dancaster, Chief Executive of Wimbledon School of English, has been appointed President of IALC, succeeding Kevin McNally of International House Torquay, after three years in the role. 
 
Kevin’s presidency has been defined by a strong focus on stability, delivery, and growth. He fulfilled his key commitments to the association, strengthening IALC’s financial position and supporting continued membership growth, while reinforcing its standing as a leading global network of independent language centres. 
 
Reflecting on his time as President, Kevin said: 
 
“It has been a pleasure and an honour to be of service to IALC over the last three years. I believe that, as an association, we are stronger than ever and will maintain our standing as the most prestigious association in our industry. I know that in the hands of Jane Dancaster, we will continue to go from strength to strength.” 
 
Jane brings over four decades of experience in language education to the role. She began her career in 1983 following teacher training at IH London and has since worked across a wide range of organisations—from independent schools to larger groups—before moving into senior leadership, while maintaining a strong personal commitment to education and language travel. 
 
She has been an active contributor within IALC, serving on both the Membership and Quality Assurance Committees, where she developed a deep understanding of the association’s operations and values. Alongside this, her extensive governance experience—including 18 years as a Trustee of English UK and over a decade as Chair of English UK London—has equipped her with strong external relationships across government, charities, and international organisations. 
 
Commenting on her new role, Jane said: 
 
“One of the things I value most about IALC is that it is run by members, for members. My vision is to build on what already makes it special: a truly international association driven by quality, integrity and collaboration. By supporting our schools, strengthening partnerships and sharing knowledge across the network, we can ensure IALC remains a strong and relevant voice for independent language centres in the years ahead.” 
 
Jane’s appointment marks the continuation of IALC’s commitment to quality, collaboration, and strong international partnerships, as the association continues to evolve and support its global community. 

View the full IALC Board here