Executive Leadership Team

ESMS Principal

Mr Anthony Simpson

Originally from Lancashire, Anthony studied at both the University of Bath and the Open University, gaining a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mathematics. After securing his PGCE, he taught at Giggleswick School for ten years.  Anthony then moved across to the maintained sector, working as the academic lead in the senior management teams of challenging inner-city schools in Liverpool and Bradford for six years, before returning to Giggleswick as the Senior Deputy Head. He has always been heavily involved in the co-curricular life of the school; coaching rugby, athletics and strength and conditioning, and helping with the CCF. More recently he fills his time training and competing in triathlons and duathlons, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Head of ESMS Junior School

Mike Kane

Born and educated in Belfast, Mike left the Emerald Isle to study his MA in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen before then going on to take his PGDE.  Teaching began in Aberdeen and Elgin before soon after taking up a post at Stewart's Melville College as a teacher of English with a side line in coaching hockey and cricket.  Mike joined the management team at Stewart's Melville College 15 years ago, before more recently ‘jumping ship’ to become Headmaster of the Junior School.  He is married with three children.  As a younger man, his two main interests were karate and cricket.  There are still the occasional forays into the social side of cricket at Inverleith, but mostly time is taken up watching his and everyone else’s children perform on the stage or the sports field.

Contact ESMS Junior School

Head of The Mary Erskine School

Kirsty Nicholson

Kirsty was appointed as Head of The Mary Erskine Senior School in August 2018, having been on the school management team since 2006.  She has spent most of her career at ESMS.  Stewart’s Melville College first saw her teach Geography but, within a few years, she was promoted to become a Principal Teacher of Guidance and moved to The Mary Erskine School, where her focus has been in the pastoral side of school life.  Kirsty gained her PGCE at Jordanhill in Glasgow, after graduating in Geography and Economic and Social History from The University of Edinburgh.  Kirsty loves living in Edinburgh with her family, enjoying all it has to offer.  In her spare time, she enjoys keeping fit, vegetarian cooking, walks with her dogs and spending time in the Scottish Borders.  

Contact The Mary Erskine School

Frances McCrudden

Head of Stewart's Melville College

Frances McCrudden

Edinburgh born and bred, Frances initially moved west where she studied Economics at the University of Strathclyde gaining a Bachelor’s Degree. Following a year’s voluntary work at primary school in rural Thailand with World Exchange, her passion for teaching and improving education standards was ignited. She went on to gain a PGCE Distinction from University of Glasgow. Frances started her teaching career in Surrey, before coming ‘home’ to Edinburgh in 2006 where she joined the ESMS Family as Head of Business Studies, Head of Careers and Director of Sixth Form. She made the move to Head of Stewart’s Melville College in December 2022, having served as Interim Head since August 2022. Frances lives with her husband and son. Not one to sit still, when she’s not at a Peloton class she can be found outside, enjoying Scotland’s beautiful countryside with her family and pet dog.  

Contact Stewart's Melville College

Director of ICT and Data Services

Dan Ovenden

Dan, originally from Surrey, is a seasoned Digital, Data & Technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformational change and managing IT capabilities across multiple sectors. Following graduation with an Engineering degree, Dan began his career at Accenture, consulting to major organisations such as GSK and Diageo. More recently he has held leadership positions at RBS & Heineken. Joining ESMS in July ’24 he is really excited about bringing this experience to the Education sector with a specific focus on using Data & Advanced Analytics to provide our teaching staff and leadership teams with better automation, insight and visibility.  Dan is married with 3 boys, lives in Linlithgow and enjoys Scouts leadership, squash and going to music gigs.

Contact ESMS

Head of Communications

Miranda Banks

Miranda Banks joined ESMS as Head of Marketing and Communications in 2019. She brings over 24 years’ experience working in Communications across a range of different sectors and brands including NCT, Which?, British Lung Foundation, UPS and Microsoft Education.

She lives in Edinburgh with her husband and three young children and when she is not running around after them, she loves swimming in the sea and singing in her local choir.

Contact ESMS

Director of People

Lynn Smith

Lynn was appointed as Director of People in August 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience as a people professional. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and member of the Scottish HR Leadership Group, actively building her network within the Scottish business and HR community to enhance connection, knowledge sharing and opportunities. Having held both executive and non-executive roles in private, public, and charitable organisations, she has a wealth of expertise in developing and delivering organisational and people strategies that drive positive impact. A particular passion is supporting young people into positive work destinations and mentoring early HR career people to grow and develop. Lynn lives in Fife with her husband and cocker spaniel and in her spare time she enjoys sketching, walking, swimming and sea kayaking in Scotland’s beautiful and far-flung landscapes.

Our Move to Co-Education

ESMS Nursery and Junior School, Stewart’s Melville College and The Mary Erskine School are merging to create one fully co-ed school for 3-18 year olds from the 2026/27 academic year.

Click here for more information about these exciting changes.