Laura and Aline met thanks to their children and founded Portola in 2024 after recognising the need for a more personal approach to guardianship for overseas boarders, and having performed the tasks required for several overseas friends. 

As ex-boarders and mothers themselves, they have constructed a simplified hands-on approach to meet the needs of parents who would, but are unable to, be with their children at every step of their boarding experience.

Aline is originally from Germany and spent her 11th grade at St. Bedes, East Sussex after she attended a German boarding school. 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 black Labrador.

Between them they have the unique perspective of being boarding school pupils from both the UK and abroad.  In addition they are in constant communication with the Independent School network in the UK and aim to have a named contact in each and every boarding school in which their guardians are placed. 

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 base.

Portola is a growing business but its personal approach is key to its success and will remain at the heart of its values.