He was there when damaging letters were leaked to the media, when controversial expense claims for an oysters and wine lunch sparked public outrage and when reports emerged of principals demanding hush money to go quietly. There was even a time when he felt so personally abused and unhappy he considered resigning.
During his 33 years with the English Schools Foundation, Chris Forse was privy to a number of controversies that generated sensational headlines.
As he prepared to depart Hong Kong for his native Britain this week, the recently retired head of parent and student services reflected on the trials and tribulations the organisation has endured under the relentless scrutiny of the media, parents and the government.
It was an adventurous 26-year-old who arrived in Hong Kong in 1974, eager to explore what he described as the 'mystique' of the Far East.
What began as a job to fulfil a desire to travel turned into a career spanning three decades that would see him play the role of teacher, advocate, diplomat, and ultimately become part of the management system he once railed against.
Initially employed as a history teacher at Island School, Mr Forse rose through the ranks of the ESF, developing an unswerving sense of loyalty on his way to becoming deputy principal and later, acting assistant chief executive. He speaks of many rewarding teaching moments and revels in the changes that have seen the ESF diversify from being a haven for children of wealthy British expatriates to one where Chinese children now constitute half the student population.
He considers himself 'lucky to have been matched with this time and this place' and says it was a privilege to have served the young people of Hong Kong.