About Us

 

We are a family founded, purpose-driven company with over 24 years of operational and investing experience in the education sector.

Worldwide, the dragonfly is used in traditional folktales to convey passing of knowledge from one generation to another. They have existed for millions of years are a symbol of happiness for children throughout the world. Dragonflies continuously adapt to their environments to thrive, which is what we do as a company. We’re proud to carry this motif as the key to our DNA and seek to embody it on a daily basis.

We believe that the education sector is going through exciting changes and we want to play a key role in defining those changes, particularly within the following areas:

  • Enrichment training

  • Preschool education

  • Investments and partnerships

Our core activity is growing impactful and sustainable educational organisations. We have a track record in helping organisations grow not just through funding but also through our more than 30 years of experience in operational know-how and a strong Asian presence. One of our biggest strengths is our ability to think and plan medium to long term.

Our Journey

As fundamental believers in the transformational powers of quality education, we were initially inspired by the ambition and aspiration of Vietnamese students. This led us to establish a chain of English language training centres, Apollo English in 1995. We then founded the British University Vietnam in 2008, which is to date the first and only international university in Vietnam granted to deliver degrees by two prestigious universities in the United Kingdom: University of London and Staffordshire University. In 2021, we expanded in to the Preschool segment through Sky International Preschools.

Over the last three decades, our achievements have been recognised by governments but more importantly by the students and parents whose lives we have impacted through education.

Our Values

Our core values of Purpose, Integrity, Balance and Resilience define who we are.

Purpose

Every organisation in our group has a clear intent and purpose that not only drives the organisation but also motivates every person working within the organisation.

Integrity

We believe in doing the right thing even when nobody is looking.

Balance

As a company, we respect and emphasise that it is nearly always achieving the right balance of factors that leads to success. This also applies to the success and happiness of the individuals who work with us.

Resilience

We have had to weather several storms, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s our resilient mindset that has allowed us to successfully navigate each challenge and come back stronger.

 
 
 
 

Education Portfolio

 

At Dragonfly Education Group, our goal is to facilitate exceptional learning environments for children, with a focus on the ASEAN region. With three decades of experience and an in-depth knowledge of the education sector, we have and will continue to invest in the future of our society.

 
 

British University Vietnam

Established in 2009, British University Vietnam is the first and only university to offer full British degrees in a world-class campus in Vietnam. With its cutting-edge undergraduate programmes and an MBA programme, BUV exists to create a new generation of technologists, thought-leaders, explorers and creative thinkers.

Apollo English

Established in 1994, Apollo English offers award-winning English learning programmes for children in Vietnam. As a leader and a household name, Apollo’s mission is to enable the young generation to become confident global citizens.

Sky International Preschool

The Sky International Preschool is a trusted international kindergarten for young children up to six years old in the ASEAN region. (In Vietnam, it existed previously as Systems Little House). The preschool focusses on the holistic development of children by nurturing their mind, body and spirit.

Other Minority Investments

Dragonfly Education Group has invested in a number of businesses that include:

  1. Talent Academy (China)

  2. Cialfo (Singapore)

  3. Creative Galileo (India) 

Looking To Scale Up? Partner With Us.

If you are an entrepreneur who has started an education business that you feel we can add value to, please contact us to learn more about our investment philosophy and see if we are a good fit.

 
 

Our Leadership Team

 

Khalid Muhmood MBE

Co-Founder and Board Member

Khalid is from the UK and is an investor and advisor in education. He has been active in the business of education since 1994 when he and his wife, Arabella Peters, co-founded Apollo English and then the British University Vietnam. Since then, they have invested in a number of businesses all focused on education. His purpose is to positively impact as many lives as he can through education focusing on early years.

Khalid was, for many years, the Chairman of the British Business Group in Vietnam and also chaired the Education Working Group at the IFC sponsored Vietnam Business Forum. In recognition of his contributions to Vietnam, he has received the Medal for the Cause of Education from the Ministry of Education in Vietnam and was awarded an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II of England. He has held a number of roles with the YPO Singapore Chapter (Young President's Association) including Chapter Chair. Khalid also likes to support a number of charities where he likes to invest not only funds but also time.

Richard Eu

Board Member

Richard is the Group Chairman of Eu Yan Sang International Ltd (EYS), an appointment he has held since October 2017.

Prior to this appointment, Richard served as the Group Managing Director and Group CEO of EYS, transforming it into one of Asia’s largest TCM groups today. Under his leadership for over 28 years, the Group has successfully established itself in the broader market of natural wellness and has introduced TCM to new consumers with products and services to meet the needs of a modern lifestyle.

Richard Eu was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 (Singapore) and represented Singapore at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of The Year 2012 award in Monte Carlo, Monaco. He was also recognised as the CEO of the year by the Singapore Corporate Awards 2010, for SGX-listed companies with a market capitalisation of under S$300 million. In 2016, he was lauded as the Brand Leader of the Year by Influential Brands.

Prior to joining EYS, Richard, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from London University, UK, worked in merchant banking, investment management, stock broking, computer distribution and venture capital.

Richard is also currently the Chairman of Tuan Sing Holdings Limited and SUTL Enterprise Limited, both SGX listed companies. He also sits on the board of other private companies including Nippon Life India Asset Management Singapore Pte Ltd. Apart from private sector interests, Richard actively participates in community projects and non-profit organisations. Most recently, Richard was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) at the Singapore National Day Awards 2020 in recognition of his contribution to society as Chairman of Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

 

Dugie Cameron

Advisor to Board

Dugie is a passionate believer in the transformative power of education. A committed internationalist, he has lived and worked in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa in a broad range of senior corporate roles in education companies. He served as the President at Pearson Asia Pacific, Chairman at EIPL, the largest education business in the Middle East and Board Member at Maskew Miller Longman, South Africa .

At Dragonfly Education group, he focuses on key business growth initiatives and people development which are his two main interests. Dugie believes that we are all learners and that we can all be teachers in a world where education continues well beyond the classroom.

 

Arabella Peters

Co-Founder

Arabella co-founded the Dragonfly Education Group, a family owned holding company focused on the education sector. She has almost 30 years of experience in international education including co-founding Apollo English and the British University Vietnam. Arabella grew up and was educated in the UK but has spent most of her life living in South East Asia. Her passion lies in championing sustainable education opportunities for young people which builds on their natural curiosity for life to achieve learning goals. 

Gerard Ng

Board Member

 Gerard is the Managing Director of Asuka Colour Technologies Pte Ltd (Asuka), a second generation family-owned company that is in the business of colour. Asuka is a leading manufacturer of paint colour marketing collaterals, specialising in colour matching and the mass production real paint colour catalogues. With its manufacturing facilities in Singapore, China and Malaysia, Asuka produces paint coated colour cards, books, fan decks and take home chips for the paint and coating industries worldwide. From 1996, Gerard spent a number of years living aboard in USA, Taiwan and China for his studies and work at Asuka.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University in Maryland USA. In 2013, he moved back from home to Singapore, where he now lives with his wife, Fion, and daughter Sienna.

As a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization), Gerard served as the regional chair of the Manufacturing Excellence Network. He has also held the role of Communications Chair and Forum Chair for the Singapore Chapter.

As avid sports enthusiast, Gerard is passionate about football and tennis. He thoroughly enjoys playing sports during his free time.

 

May Hoon Tan

Head of Finance and Planning

May Hoon holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Starting her career in Ernst and Young Singapore, May Hoon has extensive experience in family offices such as Tecity Group and RGE Group where she managed the Middle Office and Finance functions, trust accounting and strategic planning. At Dragonfly Education Group, she oversees the family office and also the finances of the  underlying businesses. May Hoon works alongside with the Board to plan for long term strategic growth, capital allocation and private equity investments.

 
 

Contact Us

 
 

Regional Headquarters:

391B Orchard Rd, Level 22, Ngee Ann City Tower B, Singapore 238874