Melissa has an extensive background in sales and customer service, having worked in the bank and financial services sector for 20 years. In recent years, she has coordinated local financial services promotions and seminars, whilst also managing the needs and expectations of a broad range of existing clients. With two children of her own Melissa is thrilled to be working in the independent schools sector and as AMCIS Training & Events Officer, is passionate about applying her experience and skills to the role.

Emma has spent 20 years working in project coordination, marketing, events management and administration for businesses throughout Yorkshire and has a strong background in higher education. She was awarded the Student of the Year accolade on gaining her Business Studies qualification at York Business College. Her thorough and precise approach to projects will be well utilised by AMCIS as she is now the main point of contact for all membership and job related enquiries.

Alicia has a broad background in marketing having worked in the industry for ten years prior to joining the independent schools sector. Previously Director of Marketing at Ashville College, Harrogate, Alicia now heads up ChatFOSS, a safe online communication tool for primary school aged children. Married to a Housemaster with three children in independent education, Alicia is passionate about the sector and promoting the role marketeers can play in the strategic development of schools.  

Tory has been supporting and working for AMCIS since April 2004. Over the past 12 years the association has seen a 30% rise in membership and a host of new initiatives and events including two new training programmes – The AMCIS Diploma in Schools’ Marketing, and The AMCIS Certificate in Admissions Management – individual seminars focusing on specific areas of schools marketing, closer working relationships with other independent school associations and the development of a new and interactive website and APP.

Before becoming the AMCIS Managing Director, Tory spent 11 years working in independent schools’ marketing; 8 as Marketing Director at Pocklington School and then 3 as Marketing and Development Director at St Peter’s School, York, where she spearheaded the formation of the St Peter’s School Foundation.

With her extensive experience in independent schools marketing and her time as Managing Director, Tory is able to answer many of the questions and queries raised and asked by members who call her on the AMCIS Helpline. If Tory is unable to answer the question then she will always be able to put members in touch with a professional that can.

Previous

Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and Stonyhurst College

AMCIS Chair

Director of External Communications, Colston’s School, Bristol

• Rebranding
• Marketing Strategy
• PR
• Marketing on a shoestring

AMCIS Vice Chair

Director of Communications, Admissions & Development, Brentwood School, Essex

• Social Media
• Internal Communications
• Branding

Immediate Past AMCIS Chair

Registrar, St Leonards School, Fife

• Admissions
• Marketing strategy
• Staff development
• Working with academics
• International recruitment
• Tier 4 /visa

AMCIS Treasurer

Deputy Headmistress, St Francis’ College, Hertfordshire

• Working with SLT
• Marketing on a shoestring
• Working with the Common Room
• Internal & External Communications
• Local Community partnerships

AMCIS Board Member

Head of Admissions, Plymouth College, Devon

• Admissions
• Customer service
• Event
• External relations
• Agent relations

AMCIS Board Member

Head of Marketing & Admissions, Queen Mary’s School, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire

• Marketing strategy
• Brand identity and rebranding
• PR
• Admissions
• Marketing on a shoestring
• Event hire and management

AMCIS Board Member

Head of External Relations, Bootham School, York, North Yorkshire

• Crisis management
• Strategy and leadership
• Rebranding
• Community partnerships
• International recruitment

AMCIS Board Member

Director of Admissions & Marketing, Taunton School, Somerset

• Marketing & Admissions working together
• International student recruitment
• Increasing digital reach
• The power of outreach & community engagement
• Internal PR – building WOM

AMCIS Board Member

Director of Development & External Relations, Stamford Endowed Schools, Lincolnshire

• Branding
• Marketing strategy
• PR and crisis communications
• Social media
• Community/partnership development
• Internal communications
• Admissions

AMCIS Board Member

International Marketing Manager, Sedbergh School, Cumbria

• Marketing strategy
• Re-branding
• Social media
• International recruitment
• Working with agents

AMCIS Board Member

Bursar and Director of Admissions & Marketing, Hazelwood School, Surrey

• Brand identity
• Harnessing the power of parents
• Building community partnerships

AMCIS Board Member

Director of External Relations, Bedford Modern School, Bedfordshire

• Crisis communications
• Campaign and event planning
• Public Relations
• Leadership and strategy

AMCIS Board Member

Marketing & Admissions Manager, Mary Hare, Berkshire

• Marketing strategy
• Re-branding
• Admissions
• Creative approaches to marketing

AMCIS Board Member

Head of Admissions & Marketing, Banstead Preparatory School, Surrey

• Online Admissions
• Rebranding