A TEACHER who fled political turmoil in Zimbabwe has been appointed head of one of the region’s oldest independent schools.

Mark Gibbons, 39, his wife, Alison, and two young sons left their home country in 2001 to start a new life, taking with them just three suitcases of possessions.

Once in the UK, Mr Gibbons, a former economist and director of a management training company, switched careers and trained as a teacher.

He will begin his new role at Kingsmead School, in Hoylake, next month after a meteoric rise through the ranks at More House School, in Surrey, an independent residential and day school for boys.

Founded in 1904, Kingsmead is the only independent boarding school in Merseyside. It is also a day school for pupils aged two to 16.

Mr Gibbons said he and his wife, who is also a teacher, and sons Matthew and David, now aged 12 and 10, were enjoying their new life in Wirral.

He said the unstable political situation in Zimbabwe left them with no choice but to leave.