Our Board

Chris Sawyer

Chair of the Board

Chris Sawyer is legal manager for BP’s North Sea and Russia businesses, working in Aberdeen and living in Aboyne. He moved with his family to Scotland from London in 2005 and apart from three years in Moscow has lived and worked here ever since. His children have attended ISA since 2016, valuing the locally-rooted but globally-focused education offered by the school. He has been a member of the Board since May 2018.

Tristan Cutler

Vice Chair of the Board

Tristan is a Private Equity investor and Fund manager, leading and managing investments across multiple sectors. Tristan was an Investor with 3i, a UK based Private Equity firm where he was responsible for the origination, evaluation and execution of investment opportunities in the Oil and Gas sector. Prior to 3i, Tristan was an Officer in the Royal Navy where he held various support, planning and operational logistics roles at sea and ashore in the UK and internationally. Tristan is married to Melanie, an Aberdeen native who was a highly active member of the ISA Parent Teacher Organisation for over 10 years. Their eldest daughter graduated from ISA in 2022 and their son left the school at the end of Grade 10. Both are now studying at University in Aberdeen.

Sama Nekakhtar

Board Member

Currently the Finance Director at SLB overseeing the European operations.

Moved to Aberdeen after spending 15 years of SLB career between North America,Asia and Middle East in multiple roles spanning across Controllership, GBS and Reporting.

One amazing daughter Emma just started First Grade at ISA In Sep 2024 and enjoying it very much thanks to the brilliant teachers and staff.

My husband Luis is a Finance professional who has worked in energy and building materials industry with a passion for sustainability and New Energy. He enjoys playing football (soccer) in his free time. He is the rock of our family and has made this move to a completely new place possible for us as a family unit.

Paul de Leeuw

Board Member

Paul is a senior industry leader and executive with over 33 years’ experience in the global energy sector. He has worked for a wide range of companies, including Shell, Marathon Oil, Amoco, BP, Venture Production and Centrica.

He is currently the Director of Robert Gordon University’s Energy Transition Institute, Chair of the National Energy Skills Accelerator, Chair of PlanSea Solutions and a Professor at Robert Gordon University (UK).

Paul is an experienced non-executive director, with over 20 years of involvement in public, private and voluntary sector organisations. He is also a regular contributor to industry events and a frequent media commentator on issues and developments in the international energy sector.

Dave Cox

Board Member

Dave is the Shell Strategic Account Leader for Baker Hughes, responsible for the success of the Baker Hughes-Shell relationship at a global level.

Dave grew up in the UK, and had his first international experience as a field engineer in Africa in his 20s. He met his Mexican wife while overseas and they worked together internationally before moving to the UK in 2004. Aberdeen became home, until Dave was offered a role in Asia – the family spend 3.5 happy years in KL and returned to Aberdeen in 2023, at which time their children joined ISA.

Dave and family have a desire to see Aberdeen thrive through the energy transition … a world-class international school offering the IB curriculum is part of this, and Dave is serving on the ISA board to play his part.

Kathryn McKee

Board Member

Kathryn is the Head of Communications & Campaigns for bp in the UK and has more than 20 years’ experience in public relations, spanning the public and private sector and industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals, to health, transport and energy. Apart from four years living and working in The Hague, Kathryn, her husband James and their two daughters have been fortunate to call the granite city home. Joining ISA in 2023, their daughters are now embarking on their high school and middle school journeys, making the most of the fantastic opportunities the school has to offer.

Kathryn is pleased to be able to make a contribution to the continued success of this outstanding school as a member of the board

Jilly Powell

Board Member

Jilly has more than twenty years’ experience of working in communications roles in the UK energy sector, including time spent at Fifth Ring, Venture Production, Petrofac and Maersk Oil. Jilly is the Vice President of Communications for TotalEnergies in the UK, having joined the organisation in 2018 as part of its merger with Maersk Oil.

She’s built her internal and external communications knowledge through major projects including acquisitions, divestments and mergers, dedicating her focus to the employee experience, reputation management and community engagement. Today, she works across the oil & gas and renewable businesses for TotalEnergies in the UK.

Jilly came to Aberdeen to attend Aberdeen University where she studied for an MA Hons in History and an MSc in Management, Innovation & Change. She’s married with two children and is delighted to be part of the ISA board.