Keith Chicquen

Keith Chicquen is the Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, where he has led the school from concept to becoming the largest school within the TASIS family in just six years. Under his leadership, TASIS Portugal has established a reputation for academic excellence, strong community culture, and strategic growth, positioning it as a leading international school in Europe.

Mr. Chicquen began his career in education in 1987 after initially pursuing engineering studies. Over the next 16 years, he served as a teacher and administrator across three Canadian provinces and internationally, including playing a key role in founding a school in Singapore. His early career laid a strong foundation in both classroom teaching and institutional development.

He went on to hold senior leadership roles at several of Canada’s most respected independent schools. At Collingwood School in Vancouver, he served as Upper School Head, Director of University Counseling, teacher, and championship coach. He later joined Lower Canada College in Montreal as Dean of Students before returning to the West Coast to Shawnigan Lake School, where he held multiple leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Academics, Director of Admission, House Director, teacher, and coach.

In the early 2000s, Mr. Chicquen transitioned to higher education, spending 13 years in senior administrative roles at Vancouver Island University. There, he developed significant expertise in operations and financial management, founded a university-operated restaurant, led the creation of a trades training facility in partnership with local school districts, and established a Dual Credit program enabling high school students to earn university credit.

His leadership extends beyond education into community engagement. He served for over a decade as a director of the Cowichan Valley Chamber of Commerce, contributed to Economic Development Cowichan, and chaired a local school Parent Advisory Committee. He also coached youth hockey, leading his team to a bronze medal at the British Columbia Provincial Championships.

Mr. Chicquen holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Chemistry and a B.Ed. from Queen’s University, as well as an M.Ed. in School Leadership and Supervision and a Teacher Leadership Diploma from Vancouver Island University.

As Founding Headmaster, his defining achievement remains the rapid and successful establishment of TASIS Portugal as the largest and one of the most dynamic schools in the TASIS network.