With more than two decades of experience in educational leadership in the UK and the UAE, Edward is ideally equipped to help position MTS as one of the best British curriculum schools in the UAE
Dubai, UAE, August, 2026 – GEMS Education has announced the promotion of Edward Staton to the role of Principal of GEMS Metropole School Motor City (MTS) from August 2026. He will succeed the current Principal and CEO of the school, Nav Iqbal.
Edward’s more than 20 years of senior educational leadership have strengthened his ability to steer complex organisations through change with a clear focus on educational excellence, staff development, and student achievement. He has extensive experience in school improvement, curriculum-building, and educational systems across primary, secondary, and all-through school contexts in the UK.
For the past two years, Edward has served as Vice Principal, Academics at MTS. In this role, he led several strategic initiatives that have enhanced educational provision across the school. His efforts have contributed to a 14% boost in academic outcomes for GCSE grades 9-4 and an ‘Outstanding’ rating for MTS in the most recent British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection. As the new Principal, Edward will build on these foundations, maintaining the school’s distinctive culture while accelerating improvement in areas that have the greatest impact on students’ learning journeys, personal development, and future opportunities.
Commenting on the appointment, Dino Varkey, GEMS Group CEO, said: “Since its inception in September 2014, MTS has witnessed rapid growth – in student numbers as well as in its reputation for providing a holistic education that nurtures all aspects of a child’s development. Edward’s impressive track record has equipped him with the leadership experience, strategic perspective, and educational expertise required to position MTS as one of the best British curriculum schools in the UAE.”
For his part, Edward Staton said: “My philosophy is founded on a simple belief: Every child deserves an exceptional education that unlocks their future. I am proud of MTS’s distinctive combination of ambition, innovation, and inclusivity. Over recent years, I have seen first-hand the talent and commitment of our students, colleagues, and families, and I look forward to leading the school’s next chapter of success.”
About GEMS Education:
GEMS Education is one of the world’s leading, oldest and largest private K-12 education providers, with a legacy spanning more than 65 years. Founded in the UAE with roots dating back to 1959, and beginning with a single school in a private home in Dubai in 1968, GEMS remains a family-founded and family-led organisation, guided by its visionary Founder and Chairman, Sunny Varkey, and his sons Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer, and Jay Varkey, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer. Today, GEMS educates more than 200,000 students from over 176 nationalities through its global network of owned and managed schools, supported by more than 17,700 employees, including over 9,200 educators and school leaders representing 112 nationalities. Having educated more than 500,000 students over the decades, GEMS continues to provide world-class education through four curricula, preparing young people with the knowledge, character and confidence to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Guided by its enduring mission to put a quality education within the reach of every learner, everywhere, GEMS combines academic rigour with character development, wellbeing, innovation and strong partnerships with families and communities. Its graduates progress to the world’s leading universities, with students accepted into more than 2,000 universities across 71 countries over the past five years, including all eight Ivy League universities in the US and all 24 Russell Group universities and colleges in the UK. In the last four years alone, more than 3,500 GEMS graduates have attended the world’s top 100 universities, over 2,200 have progressed to Russell Group universities, almost 2,000 have enrolled at the world’s top 50 universities, and more than 60 have gone on to Ivy League institutions.
Through its expanding network and philanthropic initiatives, GEMS continues to create opportunities for young people to become leaders, innovators and positive changemakers in their communities and beyond.
