Man from the Marches with a global mindset and a Welsh heart

My name is Rob Ford, and I am a global educator with a positive spirit and a profound sense of duty, embodying what I believe it means to be both global and Welsh.

I was born in Shropshire, grew up on the borders, with much of my formative years spent in Llanidloes. Some Welsher than I might call me a "plastic Welshman", a label my Aberystwyth tutor playfully bestowed upon me. I have a profound and deep connection to Wales that has guided me from my childhood as a coal miner's son to becoming a global educator. I am always carrying the spirit of our small but incredible nation…

My journey began with teacher training in Aberystwyth, followed by time working in schools across North Wales. My career led me to remarkable places, including a fulfilling role as Deputy Head at Crickhowell High School in Powys. This "outstanding school" was a beacon, showcasing Welsh educational excellence to the world. Then, I found myself a mere "500 meters from the border" at Wyedean School in Chepstow, affectionately known as "the Harry Potter school". With over half our students hailing from Monmouthshire, it was a unique melting pot of Welsh and English cultures, allowing me to champion both local identities alongside global citizenship.

The call of international education eventually led me to Moldova. Becoming the CEO and Director of the first-ever international school in the country was an audacious undertaking. Built on British principles, with very strong Welsh connections, this venture saw us celebrating St. David's Day with gusto, welcoming Welsh teachers from schools like Ysgol Maes y Gwaelod and St Mary's last September, and sending Moldovan educators to Cardiff. Even in Eastern Europe, the spirit of Wales resonated, creating a powerful link between two small nations through shared values of resilience and optimism. It truly felt like extending Wales around the corner.

My return to the UK at the start of 2025 brought an incredible new challenge for setting up a new independent school in the Marches and Borders, a historic institution of an old school set to reopen as an international school in the UK this autumn. This return felt partly serendipitous, but also a magnetic pull to be back in the borderlands, with "feet on both sides of Offa's Dyke". As the founding head teacher, I brought my global vision to a place rich with history and close to our family home in the heart of Wales, near the beautiful market town of Llanidloes – a place my children, especially my eldest, who aspires to study in Aberystwyth, consider their sanctuary.

What drives me? A profound desire to "know the world" through education, to seize opportunities, and to foster connections. I've found a "symbiotic relationship" in networking, where helping others creates a ripple effect of support. I often reflect on a transformative childhood experience during the miners' strike, when a summer in London, staying with a kind family, broadened my horizons and instilled a belief in aspiration that I now champion.

My greatest challenges have been met with unwavering determination. Leading the school in Moldova through bureaucracy, instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine was incredibly tough. I hoped to become a beacon of certainty for my community, mobilising the school to provide online learning for the entire country and ensuring the safety of my students and colleagues amidst unimaginable uncertainty. My actions weren't heroic, of course, but a part of my "duty" as an educator, responsible for not only the education, but also the wider well-being of young people. This is a value deeply ingrained by my father and my friend and mentor, Les Jones.

Les, who passed away at 90, was more than just a teacher; he was a role model and my beloved friend and a living embodiment of Welsh aspiration to me. From the Gresford coalfields to Oxford, Les inspired me to overcome barriers and pursue my ambitions. I carry his spirit of passing torches, defending the weak, and celebrating Welsh traditions, from singing "Calon Lân" to sharing Welsh cakes and stories.

For me, Wales is an anchor, a source of pride, and a constant reminder of home. I see a kinship with other small nations, like Moldova, that must stand up against bigger neighbours and define themselves through hard work and resilience. I am constantly seeking out Welsh connections abroad, from the ancient Welsh language sites in Philadelphia to the legacy of John Hughes, the Welshman who industrialised parts of Ukraine. This interconnectedness, I believe, is what makes Wales truly unique.

Having spent so much of my life in other countries, I believe Wales has a lot to offer the world. Our people, our culture, our poetry, and a tenacity born from a rich history. I recall a beautiful anecdote of the British Ambassador in Chișinău, whose grandfather drank at "Ruby's", a pub in Llanidloes. This shared human connection, found in the heart of Moldova, is the essence of Welshness: a willingness to connect, to support, and to help others, embodying the spirit of "we'll work together".

When asked about my legacy, I speak of "doing good stuff". I want to be remembered for helping people, for developing talents, and for passing on the good values instilled in me. I find inspiration in the stories of my former students who are now making a difference across the globe, believing that these stories ignite aspiration in future generations.

My story is a testament to the power of education, the strength of community, and the enduring influence of Welsh heritage, wherever in the world I may find myself.

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