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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Emmanuel Bonin as the next Director General of Collège du Léman. He will take up his position on 1st August 2026.
Dr Bonin succeeds Pauline Nord, who will be joining our Nord Anglia sister school, the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai. We extend our sincere gratitude to Pauline for her seven years of dedicated leadership, during which she has guided Collège du Léman with commitment, care, a deep understanding of our community, and a relentless focus on bringing out the best in each student. Her contribution as an educator, parent and leader has left a lasting mark on the school
An experienced international school leader Dr Emmanuel Bonin is a bilingual French-English leader with more than 25 years of experience in education, including over a dozen in senior leadership roles in highly regarded international schools.
He is a graduate of Sorbonne University and a Professeur agrégé d’histoire, bringing strong academic foundations as well as deep experience in French and international education. He also holds a Doctorate in Organisational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Dr Bonin joins Collège du Léman following his role as Head of School at the French International School of Hong Kong, where he led a large, complex and bilingual community during a period of significant development and change.
His international career has also included roles at the International School of Los Angeles, and Shanghai American School. Across these different contexts, he has worked with schools offering a wide range of academic pathways, including the French Baccalaureate, the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, the IGCSE and bilingual programmes.
His leadership has consistently focused on ensuring alignment across academic programmes, maintaining high standards of quality, and supporting strong student outcomes. He is widely recognised for his ability to bring coherence and clarity to diverse educational models, while preserving the strengths and identity of each academic pathway.
A central aspect of Dr Bonin’s leadership is his commitment to building strong, collaborative school communities. In his previous roles, he has supported schools through periods of transformation, strengthened organisational structures, and fostered cultures based on trust, engagement and shared purpose.
He brings a deeply international perspective shaped by his experience living and working across Europe, Asia and the United States, as well as a strong understanding of the opportunities and complexity of bilingual and international education.
As part of his appointment, Dr Bonin shared:
“I am humbled and honoured to have been selected by Nord Anglia Education to join the Collège du Léman community this summer. During my recent visit, I was immediately struck by the sense of pride and joy shared by the students and everyone I met, and by the way people genuinely embodied the RISE values that underpin the school’s mission and vision.
There is much to be proud of at CDL: academic excellence across bilingual curricula, deep care for students’ growth and wellbeing, enriching external partnerships, a vibrant boarding programme, and a longstanding commitment to international education. I look forward to supporting the school’s strong culture of collaboration and its ongoing pursuit of sustainable excellence.
I am grateful to Pauline Nord and the entire leadership team for bringing CDL to where it is today, and I feel privileged to lead the school in the next chapter of its development. My wife, Guillemette, and I are thrilled to relocate to the region and become part of such an internationally minded community. Thank you in advance for your welcome, and see you soon on our beautiful campus.”
We are confident that Dr Bonin’s experience and values align closely with Collège du Léman’s mission and long-term ambitions. His appointment reflects the school’s continued commitment to academic excellence, bilingual education, and the development of globally minded students prepared for a rapidly evolving world.
We also recognise that leadership transitions are important moments in the life of a school community. Over the coming months, Pauline Nord, Dr Bonin and the Nord Anglia Education team will work closely together to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition, with continuity for students, families and staff at the centre of the process.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr Emmanuel Bonin to Collège du Léman, and in expressing our sincere appreciation to Pauline Nord for her dedicated leadership and service to our school.
RICHARD DAVIES
REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR, EUROPE
