Welcoming Ian Brangan to the Eaquals Board of Trustees

If you’ve been part of the Eaquals community for a while, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Ian Brangan.

You might know him as an Eaquals inspector. You might have attended one of his conference sessions. Or perhaps you know him as the owner and Director of a language school.

Now, we’re pleased to welcome him in a new capacity, as a Trustee on the Eaquals Board.

We asked Ian to tell us a bit more about himself, what motivated him to step into this position, and what he hopes to bring to the Board.

A long-standing connection with Eaquals

Ian’s connection with Eaquals goes back further than many people realise.

Before becoming an inspector in 2001, he worked in an Eaquals-accredited school in the 1990s. Those early experiences and visits from respected figures such as Frank Heyworth and Richard Rossner, left a lasting impression.

For the next two decades, Ian managed a language school, experiencing Eaquals from the member school perspective. At the same time, as an inspector, he had the privilege of visiting centres across the network.

“It’s always a privilege,” he reflects, “to walk into an Eaquals-accredited school and see the many different ways quality is embedded into daily practice.”

That long view, from classroom to management, from member to inspector, gives him a rare 360-degree understanding of the organisation.

A turning point and a new chapter

Like many of us in language education, Ian describes 2020 as a moment of deep reflection.

The pandemic disrupted the sector profoundly, but for Ian, it also opened a door.

In the midst of uncertainty, he acquired a school in Dublin and became Owner and Director at The Linguaviva Centre.

That shift pushed him beyond purely academic responsibilities. He immersed himself in sales, marketing, and financial planning. Areas that many school leaders suddenly had to engage with more directly.

As he steps into the Trustee role, he does so not only as an educator but as a business owner navigating the realities schools face today.

A Global Perspective

As a Spanish speaker who has worked extensively with partners in South America, as well as in the Middle and Far East, he understands the perspective of the diverse types of institutions within the Eaquals community.

He sees opportunities to support Eaquals as it continues to expand its influence worldwide.

“I’d like to contribute to ensuring that what we do speaks meaningfully to the whole network,” he explains.

That international outlook, combined with his inspection background and operational experience, gives him a broad and practical lens through which to view the Board’s work.

Looking ahead

Stepping onto the Board at this stage in his career, Ian brings long-term experience from inside member schools, years of inspection work, and a first-hand understanding of what it means to run a school today.

We’re looking forward to the conversations ahead, the insights he’ll bring, and the steady, thoughtful contribution he has been known for throughout his career.

Welcome, Ian! We’re glad to have you on board.