Governance and the Board

Peter Neumann is a director with Ernst & Young AG. He has worked in different regional and global roles with focus on risk and regularity, business development and innovation in particular for life sciences. Peter has been closely involved in Basel community life for the past 22 years, including volunteer work with the University of Basel, Rotary and other community organisations. Peter has strong family connections to ELA with his children attending the school for the past 10 years. Peter was elected to the Board in April 2021. Peter serves as the Designated Safeguarding Governor (DSG)

Lesley Barron joined the Board in June 2020. She has over forty-five years’ experience in international and British education. Her previous roles have included: Board member, ISB School Director between 2004-2016, educational consultant, head teacher and teacher, academic examiner, lecturer and school inspector. Lesley is pleased to offer her experience and expertise to the Board and the wider community of ELA Basel.

Martin Berchtold joined the Board in April 2018. He is a Basel-born Swiss citizen holding Master of Law degrees from both the University of Basel and Columbia University in New York. He is an Attorney-at-Law (admitted in Basel and Switzerland) and currently working as Head Legal Divestments and Senior Legal Counsel at Novartis in a global role. Before that, he worked at UBS Investment Bank and in a law firm in Zurich. Martin previously served as Vice-President of the Board from 2018-2021.

Pia Berg-Nilsen joined the board in April 2019 and is a senior marketing professional at Ascensia Diabetes Care with over 10 years of international marketing experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Pia has extensive experience in branding and brand management as well as all aspects of marketing communications from strategy to implementation. A native Norwegian, Pia holds a Master in European Public Relations from Leeds Beckett University UK, and has lived in Basel since 2007.

Lynn Williams joined the board in the academic year 22/23 and, as an educational practitioner and former ELA parent, is delighted to have the chance to contribute to life at ELA. A modern linguist by training and resident in the Basel area since 2003, Lynn holds postgraduate qualifications in English literature, language testing, and education, and has taught English at upper-secondary level in Baselland for 17 years. She is also a lecturer on a teacher training programme and has experience in educational areas including materials design, assessment and testing, professional development, and coaching.