Who We are -

Our Team - Leveraging 100+ Years of Collective Expertise to Shape the Future of English Language Assessment

Sandy Bhangal

Former Executive Director, Strategy & Global Growth, ETS International UK

Sandy Bhangal is a recognised leader in English language assessment and international education standards. With over 20 years of experience in high-stakes testing, regulatory alignment, and strategic development, she has advised governments, universities, and sector bodies on the design and validation of English language qualifications used for admissions, visas, and global recruitment.

At ETS International UK, Sandy led global growth strategy and institutional partnerships, advancing the credibility and reach of English language testing across diverse markets. Her work supported compliance with national frameworks and enhanced trust in assessment outcomes.

Currently at ELSAA, Sandy provides independent reviews of English language tests and leads initiatives to strengthen language assessment literacy across the sector. Her expertise supports universities and policymakers in ensuring that assessments meet rigorous standards of validity, reliability, and fairness—critical for safeguarding institutional integrity and student success.

She is a trusted advisor to compliance teams, admissions offices, and international recruitment managers, helping them navigate evolving regulatory landscapes with confidence and clarity.

Stephen Carey

Founder & Senior Advisor, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA), Former Global Head of Relationship management, IELTS

Stephen Carey is a recognised global marketing and partnerships leader with 20+ years of success driving growth for English language assessments, and in supporting international education standards. Stephen has worked with governments, sector bodies and institutions to ensure they incorporate English Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) into their decision-making. He has a wide range of experience in the ELT and publishing industries. At British Council, Stephen led the strategic marketing for IELTS, building, leading, nurturing and promoting the brand across the globe. He worked with advisors, agents, counsellors, test centres, and universities to encourage increased access to robust English language testing, and supports all new ventures that reinforce integrity and reliability in this space. Currently at ELSAA, Stephen acts as Senior Advisor on partnership development and promotion of the authority, ensuring increased transparency and visibility for rigorous standards of validity, reliability, fairness and security – critical for ensuring the duty of care to international students, as well as ensuring long-term success for institutions. Stephen is highly regarded internationally as an expert in promotion and partnership development, as well as being a passionate advocate for quality in international education, and soft power in international relations. In addition to his work at ELSAA, Stephen provides consultancy to organisations across the sector, supporting initiatives that strengthen quality and integrity in international education.

Karen Ottewell

Acting Director of the Language Centre & Director of Academic Development & Training for International Students

Karen brings over 25 years of experience in Higher Education, having taught in both the UK and Germany. Since 2008, she has led the Academic Development & Training for International Students programme at the University of Cambridge, where she directs a team dedicated to equipping international students with the academic skills essential for success in English-speaking university environments.

Her research explores how cultural backgrounds shape academic writing and how proficiency in academic English is assessed. As a member of the English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA), Karen applies her deep expertise to independently evaluate English language tests and spearhead initiatives that advance language assessment literacy. Her unwavering commitment to rigorous standards in language testing plays a vital role in enabling institutions to make well-informed, impartial decisions.

Mir Rahman

EdTech, Assessment & Digital Transformation Expert | Former Global Head of Exams Systems, British Council

Mir is an EdTech and Digital Transformation expert with 18+ years of experience modernising exam and IT systems in 100+ countries. At the British Council, he led 24 professionals and multiple agile teams, managing digital exam services across six continents with a multi-million technology budget. He embedded SAFe across a 60-member team to increase delivery velocity by 25%, redesigned Development teams to improve headcount efficiency by 50%, and introduced AI-powered and citizen-development initiatives that reduced delivery cycles by 30%. Mir oversaw platforms supporting 330,000+ exam sessions and streamlined 2M+ registrations annually, while standardising collaboration tools to boost team productivity by 20%.

A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and SAFe practitioner, he delivers scalable, AI-enabled learning ecosystems and high-impact education solutions that strengthen institutional resilience and improve outcomes for learners worldwide.

Ewa Borkowska

Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)

Ewa Borkowska is a UK higher education professional specialising in Student Route compliance and international student affairs. She was most recently Head of International Student Affairs at ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music), where she built the institution’s entire international student framework from scratch after ACM obtained its Student Sponsor Licence, and previously worked as a Home Office Compliance Officer at the University of Reading.

Her work centres on UKVI regulatory compliance, sponsor licence management, and building the policies and partnerships that allow institutions to support international students confidently and within the rules, working closely with international agent networks and coordinating across admissions, marketing, and academic teams along the way.

Ewa sits on the Executive Committee of the International Compliance Network (ICN), contributing to sector-wide discussions on compliance practice and international student support. Originally from Poland, she moved to the UK in 2018.

Courtney Bailey

Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)

Courtney Bailey is an English language lecturer, international teacher trainer and instructional designer who spearheads globally focused educational programs at the intersection of language education, accessibility and faculty and program development.

She teaches university level English and linguistics courses and works across disciplines to strengthen teaching and learning at scale in international and cross-cultural contexts.

She serves in leadership roles with NAFSA in Intensive English Programs and collaborates with educators, embassy partners and senior university leadership, including rectors and provosts, to support institutional capacity building through U.S. Department of State initiatives, Peace Corps virtual service and international partnerships.

Her professional interests include language conflict and language rights, accent studies, bias and power dynamics in the classroom, ethical AI integration in language education, language assessment and aviation English. She is ABD in a PhD program in Education specializing in English language learning.

Dahlia Younan

Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)

Dahlia has had an extensive career recruiting international students into Canada, and has also worked at the British Council supporting the IELTS portfolio, managing relationships with stakeholders across Canada. She also had the joy of supporting organizations who support test takers on their journey to Canada. Dahlia is now transitioning back into university life, taking up an exciting new position at York University. She is a proud Torontonian, born and raised, and an avid tea drinker – Earl Grey being her favourite