Meet our Team
John Dunster - Founder
john@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My background is in two different fields, EFL and Marketing, and this knowledge and experience was key when Sara and I founded Elac in 1991. I’ve been fortunate to have always loved my work, for example, teacher training which I did for over 20 years, and running cross cultural training courses for large companies, both of which gave me great job satisfaction. Today, I enjoy maintaining relationships with our established partners, and I love seeing how Elac is evolving; I have tremendous respect for the team responsible for this. I still believe that what we do is extremely valuable and by bringing young people from different cultures and backgrounds together, we make a positive difference to their lives.
Travel: I adore visiting places with naturally beautiful landscapes, for example the Dolomites, the American national parks, Australia, and South Island, New Zealand which offers alpine views, coastal scenery, and whale watching all in one place. My favourite travel adventure was a Harley Davidson tour across the USA from New York to San Francisco. My bucket list destination is mainland South-East Asia: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Passions: Travelling and photography, spending time with family and our dog, Phoebe. I unwind by doing carpentry and creating wooden furniture and toys for friends and family; I always have a project on the go.
Andrew McPhee - Principal (SLT)
andrew@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role is principally building and maintaining relationships with key partners, and colleges. As part of Senior Leadership Team (SLT), I am responsible for Elac’s future strategic direction and help oversee delivery, striving for the best student experience possible. My educational background over the last (almost!) 40 years, including teaching EFL abroad, working for an educational charity, and teaching international students at a British boarding school, helps with my role. I am also DELTA qualified. I love how my work is people-centred, and that I meet lots of people from different countries and cultures.
Travel: I lived and taught English in Turkey and Greece, and have travelled widely to China, Japan, Israel and across Europe. I once also trekked the Inca Trail Route to Machu Picchu. My favourite travel adventure was visiting the Maldives for a special wedding anniversary. My bucket list destination is Zambia, where I would like to spend time as a volunteer teacher.
Passions: Reading and listening to fiction, cycling, walking, and doing jigsaws. I unwind by playing music at a high volume, often The Clash.
Tim Cooke - CEO (SLT)
tim@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: As CEO, my role involves creating the overall vision for Elac, ensuring our values and ethos are integrated into everything we do, and financial control. I love the international aspect of the TEFL industry and enjoy interacting with partners, staff, and students; I’m aware that it’s easy to miss out on that direct interaction in a senior role, so I strive to maintain it as much as possible. I am also part of Elac’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Travel: I am now based in Canada and lived for a while in the Caribbean. I have travelled to all 5 continents, backpacking across Europe and Southeast Asia, visiting countries such as Croatia, Bosnia Slovenia, Cambodia, and Thailand. My favourite travel adventure was whale watching in Argentina. My bucket list destination is South Africa.
Passions: I love the challenge of ultra running and a few years ago, ran the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert. I also enjoy skiing, playing sport, and spending time with my daughters. I watch sport or films to unwind.
Neil Barnes - Vice-Principal (SLT)
neil@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role involves a broad spectrum of responsibilities including liaising with our partners, particularly those in Spain, Japan and China. I also lead the Operations team, making sure all logistics are in place for the summer, and work more creatively with branding and marketing. I am a DELTA qualified teacher and spent many years teaching in Spain and refer to this experience when helping to plan our programmes. I enjoy the teamwork aspect, collaborating to make things work smoothly, and being innovative. I am also part of Elac’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Travel: I’m based in the Basque country, Spain, and have lived there, on and off, since 2001. I’ve travelled extensively across Asia, Australia, USA, and Canada. My favourite travel adventure was visiting Japan and soaking up the futuristic atmosphere in Tokyo. My bucket list destination is Finland.
Passions: I love spending time with my wife and children. I really enjoy cooking, watching films and playing board games. I do oil paintings of landscapes, and still life, to unwind.
Kera Gustafson - Vice-Principal (SLT)
kera@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I have been working in EFL for over 20 years and hold a Cambridge DELTA and MA TESOL. My focus is on curriculum development and teacher training. I am passionate about the development of 21st Century soft skills through language teaching and love working in an international environment. I am keen to help improve the wellbeing of both staff and students and am the Designated Safeguarding Lead. I am also part of Elac’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Travel: I have lived and studied in Germany and Spain and spent my twenties working as an EFL Teacher in Italy; luckily my role now allows me to travel to wonderful places such as Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia. My favourite travel adventure was husky sledding in northern Finland, and my bucket list destination is Costa Rica.
Passions: Baking and going in search of the best places for coffee and cake. I love keeping fit by going to the gym, hillwalking, and doing Zumba classes. I play the piano and read to unwind.
Liam Moloney - Business Development Manager
liam@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role involves sales and marketing, building relationships with new agents, and overseeing and innovating our summer activity programme. I have been working with Elac since 2008, starting as an Activity Leader while a student, and then continuing during the summers when I was a secondary school PE teacher. I love the variety of my current role and that no two days are ever the same.
Travel: I’m originally from Ireland and moved to the UK for university study. I lived and worked in Australia for a few years and have travelled extensively around Southeast Asia, backpacking and exploring many countries. My favourite travel adventure was swimming with manta rays in Bali, and my bucket list destination is Madagascar.
Passions: Sport in general; playing and watching rugby, athletics, and Gaelic football. I’m also really into technology and love new gadgets. I go to the gym to unwind.
Emily Leighton-Smith - Head of Social Programmes & Educational Excursions
emily@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role includes creating and overseeing the social and excursion programmes across our centres, recruiting and training activity staff, and ensuring our programmes are engaging, exciting, and led by well-trained, enthusiastic staff. With 14 years’ experience as a Physical Education teacher, including three years teaching in Thailand, I love being able to apply my knowledge of education and team management to my current role.
Travel: As an avid traveller, I have been fortunate to explore diverse corners of the world, from an overland trip across Africa to scooter adventures around Taiwan and hiking to Everest Base Camp. My favourite travel adventure was navigating the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam. My bucket list destination is Patagonia.
Passions: I am passionate about staying active, and sport plays a central role in my life. I’ve recently started playing padel, and I enjoy weekly tennis matches with my brother and running with friends. Beyond sports, I love hiking, photography, and watching musical theatre, which provide me with a creative outlet and a chance to unwind.
Alex Wilson - Assistant Head of Short-Stay
alex@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: Prior to Elac, I worked for over 10 years in Spain, Vietnam and Singapore, teaching English and running holiday programmes for international students. My current role involves overseeing year-round short stay courses, organising programmes, liaising with the homestay team, and supporting teachers. I love working in an international environment, helping young learners create memorable experiences and build their confidence.
Travel: I have travelled extensively visiting Myanmar, Thailand, and Australia, as well as visiting family in Canada, and spending time in Hungary and the USA. My favourite travel adventure was at a yoga and meditation retreat in Cambodia, doing a digital and caffeine detox in the middle of nature. My bucket list destination is Antarctica.
Passions: I am a reluctant runner and love exploring new places. I enjoy playing video and board games just being an adolescent as an adult. I unwind by lighting candles, listening to folk music, and having a cup of tea.
Susie Johns - Recruitment and HR Manager
susie@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I am responsible for recruitment and human resources (HR) and hold a Level 5 CIPD HR Management. I am also part of the Safeguarding team focussing on staff welfare. Before joining Elac, I worked in quality auditing, production management and in travel and tourism as a commercial manager. My area of interest is onboarding; I love being the first point of contact for new staff and getting to know each member of our team.
Travel: I spent a year and a half travelling around South and Central America, as well as doing long trips to Thailand, Hong Kong, and around Europe. My favourite travel adventure was white water rafting in Salta, Argentina, and my bucket list destination is Greenland.
Passions: Creating mixed media art and going to gigs, especially Indie and Electronic music. I enjoy learning about nutrition and gardening. I read and walk my dog, Creavy, to unwind.
Helen Ordever - Client Liaison and Administration Manager
helen@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I look after our agents, and liaise with clients and schools, looking after their requests and needs. I also oversee administration in the office, including bookings, and excursions. My background is in travel and education; I spent years working for overseas tour operators and with an airline company, and this industry knowledge really helps me at Elac. I enjoy the variety of my role and collaborating in a team. I also love working in the beautiful historic city of Bath.
Travel: I worked and lived in mainland Spain and Menorca for over 3 years and have many stand-out travel experiences: climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting Japan, Bermuda, and the sea of Galilee. My favourite travel adventure was driving around a wonderfully chaotic Cairo and visiting the Tutankhamun museum when the mummies were all on show. My bucket list destination is northern India.
Passions: All forms of exercise including Pilates, going to the gym, and walking my dog. I’m also a passionate cold-water swimmer. I read novels to unwind.
Zoë Harris - Head of Homestay and Short-Stay Manager
zoe@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I am responsible for homestay in Eastbourne, doing host and student placement and liaison. I also oversee short courses, involved in planning and logistics. As a Trinity Cert. TESOL qualified teacher, I enjoy teaching whenever possible, and my area of interest is student experience; I love making sure students are safe and happy. I am also the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Travel: I lived and worked in Greece for 6 years and spent time in New Zealand. I previously worked in the travel industry, running resorts and leading tours in Morocco, Denmark, and Cuba, and have travelled across the USA, Canada, and Europe. My favourite travel adventure was watching the sunset while dining in a river in the Atlas Mountains. My bucket list destination is Japan.
Passions: Classical music and singing soprano as a member of a choir and soloist. I also love salsa and tango dancing, going to the theatre and concerts. I do jigsaw puzzles and read to unwind.
Miranda Sparey – Homestay Manager
miranda@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role involves building relationships with host providers, and matching students with hosts to ensure both have a positive experience. Prior to Elac, I have always worked with children, as a nanny, in childcare, and at after school clubs. Young people’s wellbeing and happiness is extremely important to me, and I enjoy working with the wider team to resolve issues and to ensure this positive outcome.
Travel: I like active holidays, and have been paragliding in Turkey, diving in Egypt, and travelled around Australia in a campervan. My favourite travel adventure was in Gambia where I went canoeing down rivers, cycled through villages, and enjoyed the amazing local food. My bucket list destination is Thailand.
Passions: Camping with friends and going to small music festivals. I also love cliff and hill walking and just walking in the fields near my home. I grew up near the coast, so I unwind best by walking on the beach which helps me feel centred and calm.
Laura Canbulat - Homestay & Short-Stay Co-ordinator
laura@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My main role is to support homestay and short stays in Eastbourne, doing homestay visits, and host and staff liaison. I also manage year-round courses, ensuring they run smoothly. I started working with Elac in 2016 as an Activity Leader and love the variety that working in an international environment brings, particularly meeting so many different people from around the world.
Travel: I grew up in Germany and lived briefly in the USA. I have British roots and came to the UK to study when I was 20 and haven’t left. I have travelled across Europe, the USA, and South Korea. My favourite travel adventure was visiting the Grand Canyon and feeling in awe of that panorama. My bucket list destination is Australia and New Zealand.
Passions: Horse-riding and all things equestrian, and I spend as much of my free time as possible with my beautiful horse, Cinnamon. I also love photography and travel scrapbooking. I read Mangas and comics to unwind.
Brittney Goch - Short-Stay and Office Administrator
brittney@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My role involves everything admin related, making group bookings, and preparing for student arrivals at our Bath Study Centre. I previously worked in university student welfare and am currently studying to become a counsellor; student wellbeing is important to me. I love the organisation aspect of my role and the feeling of satisfaction when completing a task.
Travel: I’m originally from Dallas, USA and moved to the UK when I was 11. I spent numerous summers doing caravan holidays on the American east coast, and now enjoy holidaying in Spain and exploring the British coastline in Devon, the Gower and Pembrokeshire. My favourite travel adventure was Paris where I went on my honeymoon. My bucket list destination is to drive Route 66.
Passions: I read a lot, especially psychology and self-development books. I’m also learning Spanish and enjoy spending time with my children, cooking, and watching films. I go running to unwind.
Elena Alvarez – Office Administrator
elena@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: My background is in teaching Spanish, and I have worked in various language schools in the UK and Spain, as well as in customer service. My role at Elac involves administrative tasks such as correspondence, enrolments, and excursion bookings, and welcoming students and visitors to the Study Centre. I enjoy working in a busy office and in an international environment which combines my love of language and travel.
Travel: I have visited many European cities and recently spent three weeks travelling around Peru, visiting Lima, and hiking at altitude at Machu Pichu. My favourite travel adventure was volunteering in Ghana, helping to build a school; it was a life-changing experience, and I will never forget the nights spent talking around a campfire. My bucket list destination is Colombia.
Passions: I love exercise and regularly go running and hiking. I enjoy dancing salsa and bachata, going to the cinema, and doing crafts like making jewellery and drawing. I unwind by meditating and spending quality time with friends.
Jason Harrison - Operations Manager
jason@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I studied Business and worked in an office for five years, but felt I needed more variety and adventure. I therefore worked as an Elac Activity Leader and after that summer went to live in Spain. I then travelled to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico, where I met my wife. I now teach English in Mexico City and am in the Operations team preparing for the summer. As Operations Manager, I enjoy problem-solving and love interacting with different people.
Travel: I enjoy holidays in Cancun and travel around America, visiting LA, Las Vegas and New York. Recent trips include Petra, Jerusalem, Machu Pichu and Norway. My favourite travel adventure was my honeymoon in New Zealand where, as a Lord of the Rings fan, I visited The Shire! My bucket list destination is India; I would love to see the Taj Mahal and experience the culture, food and colours.
Passions: Watching films; I watch all Oscar nominated movies no matter the genre. I am a keen fantasy football player, ranked in the top 10,000 in the world. I enjoy spending time with my wife, watching British quiz shows and walking our dog. I play strategy video games to unwind.
Simon Hayward - Operations Manager
simon@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I have been working in EFL since 1991, when while travelling in Australia, I did the CELTA. Since then, I have worked for long periods in Japan and the UK and in a variety of roles: Teacher, Director of Studies and Director of Junior Courses. Currently, when not working as a teacher in Bournemouth, I am part of the Elac Operations team, involved in recruitment, bookings and logistics, and as Summer Centre Manager at Nottingham.
Travel: My passion for travel started when I went interrailing across Europe at the age of 18. Since then, I have lived and worked in Australia, Japan and China, and for 11 consecutive summers, travelled to South America, visiting Columbia, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. My favourite travel adventure was the time I spent living in Shizuoka, at the base of Mount Fuji. My bucket list destination is Antarctica.
Passions: Scuba diving in Honduras; I am lucky enough to spend three months a year as a Dive Master there. I also enjoy Latin dancing, cycling, gardening and swimming in the sea. I unwind by going to the pub to watch football and rugby matches.
Phil Spark - Operations Manager
phil@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I started my TEFL career in 1999 when I got my CELTA, and subsequently spent ten years in France teaching Business English to adults and university students. Over the years, I have moved into consultancy work, business development, and operations. In my Elac role, I enjoy helping staff thrive and develop, and love knowing we are creating happy childhood memories; that when our students become adults, they will still remember Elac staff and experiences.
Travel: My life has always involved travel, from living in Hong Kong as a child, to Eurorailing in my twenties, and working in Belarus, Libya, and France. My favourite travel adventure was Thailand and one significant moment sitting on a remote, tourist-free, beach in Thailand, feeling all my stress drain away. My bucket list is the south coast of Brittany.
Passions: I love trying new things and recently tried archery, but now I’d like to try more active sports like paragliding, indoor skydiving, and jet skiing. I unwind by spending time with loved ones and trying new restaurants.
Steve Godfrey - Operations Manager
steve@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: I’ve been working in EFL, and with ELAC in a summer role, for almost 20 years; I worked as Centre Manager at Eastbourne for many summers. As Operations Manager, my focus is logistics and ensuring courses run smoothly; I also prioritise connecting with students and fully embracing the purpose behind everything we do. I enjoy people-focussed tasks and working with children; learning from their unique perspectives, energy, and creativity.
Travel: After graduating in Politics, I lived and taught English in Hungary, Germany and Italy before settling in Barcelona. My travel adventures include naively climbing a 2000m mountain in Albania in jeans and a T-shirt and going to Toronto to see Joel Plaskett. My favourite travel adventure was walking on the frozen sea in Latvia. My bucket list is topped by the dream of returning to live in Cornwall, where I grew up.
Passions: I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my children grow up. In the little spare time I get, I can be found watching Tottenham, swimming, or playing guitar. It’s becoming increasingly difficult, but my band, The Mild Antics, sometimes even manage to play a few gigs!
Jamie McPhee - Operations Manager
jamie@elac.co.ukRole & Experience: After graduating in Communication and Media Production, I have spent over 30 years working in the world of Film and Television post-production, as a freelance sound editor and running my own business. I have however worked various summers at Elac as an Activity Leader and Centre Manager. My current role as Operations Manager involves the pre-summer planning and coordination of two centres and supporting key staff during the summer period.
Travel: In 1990 I embarked on a back-packing trip to Southeast Asia, and the freedom of visiting places ‘off the beaten track’ during this trip ignited a passion for independent travel and cultural experience. Since then, this passion has led me to trek through the Annapurna Mountain range in Nepal and attempt to scale Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. My favourite travel adventure was a life-affirming journey to Machu Pichu with my brother Andrew. My bucket list destination is California.
Passions: I love film, football, food and just trying new experiences. I unwind by walking in the countryside.