Why it matters

Cenn founded Hatching Dragons in 2015 with a simple belief: children deserve an education that prepares them not only for school, but for the world they will inherit.

Having spent years living, studying and working internationally, Cenn experienced first-hand how language, culture and global perspectives can shape confidence, opportunity and understanding. Inspired by those experiences, he set out to create an early years model that would help children develop the cultural awareness, character and capability needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Today, Cenn leads the Board and strategic growth of Hatching Dragons, overseeing the continued evolution of its educational approach. Under his leadership, the organisation has grown from a pioneering bilingual nursery into one of the UK's most distinctive early years education groups, working with leading universities, government stakeholders and industry partners to help shape the future of early childhood education.

As a parent himself, Cenn remains deeply committed to creating the kind of educational environment he would want for his own children: ambitious, nurturing, globally minded and centred on helping every child realise their potential.

Andy is the Managing Director of Hatching Dragons and is responsible for leading and growing the organisation, ensuring our nurseries, people and educational vision come together to create an exceptional experience for children and families.

With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning education, professional and academy football, technology, healthcare and international business, Andy has built and scaled organisations across the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. His career has included senior leadership roles with Amazon and Accenture, advising government and NHS organisations, leading international education and football programmes, and helping purpose-led organisations grow and innovate on a global scale.

At Hatching Dragons, Andy is focused on creating an environment where children, families and educators can thrive together. He is passionate about the transformative power of the early years and believes that childhood should be filled with curiosity, discovery, cultural understanding and meaningful learning experiences that prepare children not only for school, but for life.

As a father of three, Andy understands the trust families place in a nursery. He is committed to ensuring every child feels safe, valued and inspired, and that every family experiences the warmth, partnership and sense of community that sit at the heart of Hatching Dragons.

Drew is responsible for business operational performance across Hatching Dragons, helping ensure our nurseries, support teams and systems work together to deliver the highest possible experience for children, families and educators.

Working across the organisation, Drew leads operational improvement, performance analysis and strategic initiatives that help us continually enhance the quality, consistency and effectiveness of everything we do. From improving parent experiences and nursery operations to supporting future growth, he helps translate data, research and insight into practical improvements that benefit children and families every day.

Drew believes that exceptional early years education is built on more than great intentions. It requires strong systems, thoughtful leadership and a commitment to constantly learning and improving. His work helps ensure Hatching Dragons continues to deliver on its promise of providing children with an outstanding start in life while supporting families with confidence and consistency at every stage of their journey.

Roli leads our Canada Water nursery with a passion for creating an environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn.

Working closely with families and educators, she is committed to delivering exceptional care and meaningful learning experiences that help children grow in confidence, curiosity and independence. Roli believes strong partnerships between home and nursery create the foundations for every child to thrive.

Ali leads our City of London nursery, ensuring children and families experience the warmth, care and educational excellence that define Hatching Dragons.

With over ten years of experience supporting children and young people, he is passionate about creating inspiring learning environments where children can grow in confidence, curiosity and independence. Working closely with families and educators, Ali is committed to delivering meaningful early years experiences that help every child develop the skills, character and love of learning that will support them throughout their lives.

Param leads the food and nutrition programme at Hatching Dragons, bringing together culinary expertise, global influences and a passion for helping children develop healthy relationships with food.

Having started his culinary career as a restaurant owner at the age of 19, Param has spent years working alongside chefs from diverse cultural backgrounds and developing expertise across a range of international cuisines. Today, he uses that experience to create nutritious, balanced and inspiring menus that introduce children to the flavours, ingredients and traditions of the world around them.

Beyond the kitchen, Param is a passionate advocate for food education. Through activities such as growing vegetables, exploring ingredients and celebrating cultures through food, he helps children develop curiosity, confidence and lifelong healthy eating habits.

Marisa is responsible for shaping and growing the Hatching Dragons brand, helping communicate our vision, educational philosophy and commitment to exceptional early years experiences.

Working across marketing, communications, content and parent engagement, Marisa ensures that every touchpoint reflects the warmth, trust and educational purpose at the heart of Hatching Dragons. From sharing the stories of our children and educators to building awareness of our unique approach to Culture, Character and Cognition, she plays a key role in helping families connect with our mission and values.

For Marisa, great marketing is about building trust, fostering community and helping families find the right environment for their child's early years journey.

Joceal leads the family experience journey at Hatching Dragons, helping parents find the right environment for their child's early years and supporting them every step of the way, from initial enquiry and tour to day 1.

Working closely with families across our nurseries, Cel is responsible for ensuring every interaction reflects the warmth, professionalism and care that define Hatching Dragons. From initial enquiries and nursery visits to enrolment and ongoing support, Joceal is passionate about building trusted relationships and creating exceptional experiences for families.

She believes that great customer service is built on listening, understanding and genuine care, helping families feel confident, informed and supported throughout one of the most important decisions they will make for their child.