Laura and Aline met thanks to their children at a girls ballet class and founded Portola several years later in 2024. They had recognised the need for a more personal approach to guardianship services after having performed the task for friends from overseas.

Aline is originally from Germany and spent her 11th grade at St. Bedes, East Sussex as a boarder during her time at boarding school in Germany. Aline, her husband and their three children left Hamburg in 2016 and have since lived in California and London.

Laura grew up in the Sussex countryside and attended Mayfield School, East Sussex and Woldingham, Surrey as a boarder. She lives in London with her husband, two children and a black Labrador.

Laura and Aline have the unique perspective of being boarding school pupils themselves from both the UK and abroad. In addition, their children are at an Independent school in London, so they have an inherent understanding of the UK educational system and current market.

Their students are their priority and they seek to maintain a continuous dialogue with each selected school in order to give better peace of mind to parents and expand their knowledge.

Portola’s personal approach is key to its success and will always remain at the heart of its values.