The Team

Maryssa O'Connor, Executive Head of Sotogrande International School, bringing extensive international leadership experience and a deep commitment to academic excellence, innovation and student wellbeing.

She is passionate about creating an inclusive learning environment where every student is known, valued and empowered to fulfil their potential. Under her leadership, Sotogrande International School continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Europe's leading international schools, offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum alongside A Levels, as well as exceptional opportunities in sport, the performing arts and innovation.

Maryssa believes that an outstanding education extends far beyond academic achievement. Her vision is to nurture confident, compassionate and globally minded young people who are equipped to make a positive contribution to society. She is committed to fostering a culture of excellence in which every member of the school community feels supported, challenged and inspired to thrive.

Emma Butler is a highly committed international school leader with over 25 years of experience guiding educational communities through growth, innovation and change. She empowers teachers and students to discover their talents, achieve their potential and contribute to a thriving school culture, leading with integrity, empathy and a deep belief in the transformative power of education.

Emma led the school’s transition from the UK National Curriculum to a now well‑renowned IB PYP school, strengthening coherence and embedding inquiry‑driven learning.

Her international influence includes presenting at the IB Heads Conference in Singapore and leading IBO workshops across Europe and the Middle East, delivering clear, collaborative and practical professional development.

Emma is widely respected for building inclusive, high‑performing cultures, mentoring emerging leaders and modelling reflective, evidence‑informed practice to ensure every student is known, valued and challenged within a caring and ambitious environment.

Kevin Stone is an accomplished international school leader with more than 30 years of experience in British and international education. As Head of Secondary at Sotogrande International School, he has successfully led strategic school development, curriculum innovation and student achievement, while supporting significant growth in enrolment and strengthening community partnerships. In addition to experience with GCSEs and A Levels, his expertise also spans the IB continuum, CIS and NEASC accreditation, quality assurance, safeguarding, staff development and educational leadership.

Kevin is recognised for building inclusive, high-performing school cultures where students and staff are empowered to thrive. He is passionate about developing outstanding teaching and learning, mentoring future leaders, and fostering collaboration across diverse international communities. His leadership is underpinned by integrity, empathy and a commitment to ensuring every student achieves their potential within a caring and ambitious environment.

Originally from the UK and now based in Spain, Kevin combines extensive international experience with a genuine enthusiasm for lifelong learning, sport, the arts and community engagement. He believes that strong relationships, innovation and shared purpose are the foundations of exceptional schools and lasting educational success.

Charles Debenham is an experienced boarding leader with more than 20 years in international education. Charles qualified as a teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University and holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Exeter.

Having worked across Australia, Finland, South Korea, Spain and the UK, Charles has developed extensive expertise in international education and a deep passion for creating exceptional boarding experiences that enable young people to thrive.

Over the past decade, Charles has led the continued growth and success of the boarding programme at Sotogrande International School. Together with his team, he has more than tripled the number of boarding students while maintaining an outstanding, premium boarding environment where every student feels valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Enrique holds a BA in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Toledo), as well as a Master's degree in Finance from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE).

After spending over a decade working in the real estate and construction sector for Taylor Wimpey and COPISA on major residential and golf resort developments, he joined Sotogrande International School 18 years ago. He has held various roles including Finance Director, Business Manager and Head of Operations, and has worked alongside exceptional colleagues as a member of the Board, Executive Committee, Senior Leadership Team and several advisory panels.

Enrique is proud to have contributed to the development of the school's campus new buildings Master Plan and its execution, as well as leading the transformation of several support services by bringing them in-house. This strengthened efficiency and created for the support staff a greater sense of belonging and alignment with the school's mission, vision, and values.

He is passionate about building organisations that are financially strong, operationally efficient, and able to create long-term value. He enjoys leading complex projects, improving operational processes, and ensuring that every investment and decision contributes to providing the best possible experience for SIS students, families, and staff.

Originally starting his teaching career in the UK before moving to Sotogrande International School 26 years ago, Carmelo is the Head of Technology, bringing nearly three decades of educational expertise to the leadership team. He has been instrumental in leading the implementation and development of both existing and cutting-edge technologies to transform teaching and learning across the school. Under his visionary leadership, SIS has successfully achieved five consecutive recertifications as an Apple Distinguished School since 2015.

He believes technology is the ultimate catalyst for curiosity and innovation, a dynamic tool that proves learning can happen anytime, anywhere, and virtually.

Carmelo drives the continuous evolution of the school's tech curriculum, constantly embracing fresh, emerging technologies to spark creativity and support both the local and broader community. By ensuring tech seamlessly enhances education, he helps shape an environment where students aren't just consuming the digital world, but actively creating it.

His expertise is recognized on the global stage, frequently presenting at prestigious international education forums and conferences. Notable highlights include sharing insights at several Apple Leadership events in Spain, London, Germany, and Chicago, as well as Google Summits in Spain, cementing SIS’s reputation as a leader in educational innovation. He remains committed to preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

Lidia Benítez is Head of Admissions at Sotogrande International School, where she leads the admissions journey for families joining the school from around the world.

Having been part of the SIS community for many years, she has an in-depth understanding of the school's educational philosophy, culture and values. Before leading Admissions, Lidia worked within Inspired's Global Digital Marketing team, supporting the development and optimisation of websites across more than 100 international schools. This unique experience provides her with a broad perspective of international education and the standards that define the Inspired group.

Lidia is passionate about building meaningful relationships with families and ensuring every prospective student receives personalised guidance throughout the admissions process. She believes that choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make and is committed to making that journey welcoming, transparent and supportive from the very first conversation.