THEY CALL HIM the Lone Ranger. The English Schools Foundation's newly appointed education development director, Graham Ranger, works among ESF schools but belongs to none. His nickname, he says, is inevitable.
Like other slights or criticisms to which he has been subjected during nearly two years in Hong Kong, from the media and jumpy teachers, he takes it with good humour: 'I don't take offence,' he said.
The English Schools Foundation is emerging from unprecedented turmoil, its reputation battered by successive fiascos over appointing a chief executive to take over from Jennifer Wisker - who stepped down after a decade at the helm in December 2002 - and withering criticisms meted out by Jonathan Harris, the leader who lasted just six months.
It will be at least another six months before a new chief executive is in place. In the meantime, Mr Ranger will play a key role in the drive to restore the foundation's reputation, as he oversees crucial education development and evaluation. For if parents and community can be reassured that all is well in the quality of education delivered in the ESF's 19 schools, much of the damage can be repaired.
Mr Ranger, 46, who was recruited as a secondary school education officer, was selected last month for the new, more senior post, out of a field of 17. He arrived at the ESF with impressive credentials, having had a high-flying career in the UK working as a teacher-educator at Oxford University, then on curriculum development at county and national levels, and as one of Her Majesty's Inspectors, overseeing school improvement and then post-16 education.
He is also used to working overseas - his gap year between school and university was spent in India as a courier for the travel agents Trailfinders. Later he spent five years directing a project to establish teachers and principals' professional development in Cameroon.