Meet Mark Spedding, our new Head of ECAs
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I was born in the North West of the UK but began a new chapter in the early 2000s when I emigrated to New Zealand. Twelve years ago, Hong Kong became home, and it’s been an adventure ever since! I’m a father of two—a grown-up son and daughter—and I’ve truly fallen in love with the incredible diversity of Hong Kong. Who would’ve thought we’d have so many beautiful beaches and breathtaking countryside right here for hiking? Passionate about surfing and snowboarding - the great outdoors is where I thrive.
What is your background?
By training, I’m a mechanical engineer. My career has taken me from building supersonic military aircraft to managing operations in large manufacturing facilities across the globe. Hong Kong marked an exciting shift into the education sector, and I’m absolutely thrilled to bring my diverse experiences to FIS. Supporting and expanding our ECA programs is a challenge I’m eager to take on.
What are your first impressions as you settle into this new role? How do you feel about this position?
I’ve been truly impressed by the scale and quality of ECAs at FIS. It’s encouraging to see how many opportunities we provide—thanks to the dedication of our passionate and hardworking new ECA team. Behind the scenes, there’s tremendous effort to bring these programmes to life, and I’m excited to contribute my operational experience to such a meaningful mission. What motivates me most is the chance to apply strategic thinking to programmes that help shape students into confident, well-rounded individuals.
What goals do you have for the department?
At the heart of our strategy is a simple goal: to co-create an ECA programme with our community. By listening closely to students and parents, we will ensure our offerings provide exceptional value and learning, all while staying true to the FIS spirit. Our mantra is quality, not just quantity.
We’ll achieve this through consistent dialogue and feedback. For our younger learners in Primary, ECAs are about discovery through fun, short-term samples. For Secondary students, it’s about depth—year-long programmes that help them refine their talents and interests.
