An experienced Head of Service and registered Social Worker with leadership responsibility for assessment, child in need, child protection, and court work. A track record of delivering consistently strong outcomes for children through contributing to leading departments achieving outstanding inspection outcomes and developing one of the most stable social work workforces in the country. Brings expertise across statutory sector and universal/targeted services in the voluntary sectors.

Brett Wigdortz OBE has spent the last two decades working to address educational inequality. He founded the graduate teaching charity Teach First, which he led for 15 years, before shifting his focus to early years education as co-founder and CEO of the UK's largest childminder agency tiney. He also spearheads the newly launched Childminding2030 campaign, which aims to boost the number of childminders in England through key policy reforms.

Connie Muttock is the Head of Policy at the Centre for Young Lives, an independent think tank and delivery unit working to improve the lives of children, young people, and families. With previous policy and communications roles in government and the voluntary sector on violence against women and girls, women facing disadvantage, and housing, Connie holds a Master of Science in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Thouron Scholar.

Dr Dave Roberts is a qualified Social Worker and organisational therapist, with over 30 years of experience in therapeutic work with children, young people and families. He currently leads the Mulberry Bush’s outreach service, offering models of reflective practice and training to schools, children’s homes, LA’s and youth justice settings. Dave was integral in developing the award-winning Level 5 ‘Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People.

I am an experienced youth sector leader with over 20 years’ expertise in strategic, operational, and governance leadership. As Strategic Youth Voice Lead at the National Youth Agency, I provide national leadership for youth voice, overseeing the UK Youth Parliament and Youth Council UK, and contributing to key sector networks. Previously Deputy Director of Youth Work at NYA, I strengthened youth work infrastructure across England. I also spent over a decade at Kinetic Youth Ltd as Director of Policy and Performance, leading national teams and driving policy, quality, workforce development, and organisational strategy. I have extensive governance experience, currently serving as a trustee for Over The Moon (East Anglia) and previously holding senior roles within the Institute for Youth Work. My earlier career spans frontline and strategic roles across local authorities, including youth justice, participation, and care settings. I hold JNC qualification, a Level 7 PG Dip in Strategic Management, and Chartered Manager status, and am committed to amplifying youth voice nationally.

I am the Chief Operations Officer at Octavia House Schools, a sector leading therapeutic special school group. I bring extensive expertise in SEND systems leadership, commissioning, specialist provision development, and inclusion strategy, with a track record of improving outcomes for children with complex needs. I am also a Trustee of the National Association of Special Schools, contributing to national policy and sector development. I have held senior roles across local government, including a Director in Hertfordshire's Children's Services.

Former Director General for Families at the Department for Education. With responsibility for children's social care, SEND and early years. And a long track record of advocating for social mobility drawing on her own experiences. Current portfolio includes senior advisor to Newton Europe (central government) and looking after my animals.

With over 30 years’ experience across children’s social care, Jill has held senior leadership roles within statutory, voluntary and private sector services. She specialises in safeguarding, service improvement, quality assurance and strategic leadership, with extensive experience supporting organisations to improve outcomes for children, strengthen practice and achieve sustainable service development.

Lisa Smitherman is a strategic leader with senior experience across justice and education. She has led complex, multi-region services, driven transformation, improved outcomes, and built strong partnerships. Most recently at Catch22, she oversaw 32 services, 440 staff, and £25 million income, while achieving GOOD OFSTED ratings across all schools in her remit.

Luke Billingham is a youth worker at Hackney Quest and a Research Associate at the Open University. At Hackney Quest, he provides 1:1 support for young people experiencing difficulties, and co-leads a number of neighbourhood projects. At the Open University, his research has focused on young people's safety and wellbeing.

Madison E. Kerr, PhD is the Head of Impact Measurement and Evaluation at Shaw Trust, the UK’s largest employment support charity, which works with over 100,000 young people per year. An economist by training, Madison has extensive experience advising charities on how to evaluate their impact and influence policy.

Mark Owers is Chief Executive of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers. He has held senior leadership roles across children’s social care, fostering, adoption and youth justice, including co-authoring the Review of Foster Care in England with Sir Martin Narey. Mark is a passionate advocate for children, foster carers and relationship-based care that delivers lasting stability and belonging.

Mervyn is CEO of the Union of Jewish Students. A proud Mancunian and Manchester United fan, he has spent his career championing youth work, social justice and young people’s leadership. He held senior roles at the London Borough of Lewisham, founded Youth First CIC, worked nationally and internationally on youth voice, serves as a trustee of the NYA, and chairs the Finnart House School Trust.

Rebekah Pierre is a care-experienced author, award-winning campaigner, and the Deputy Director of Article 39 - a small charity which fights for the rights of children in institutional settings. She has written extensively about the care system,in publications such as The Guardian, Independent, and Radio 4. Her recently published book, ‘Free loaves on Fridays: the care system as told by people who actually get it’, is the largest known anthology of care-experience, featuring the voices of 100 children and adults with lived experience of the care system.

Richard has a passion for transformation, commissioning and improving the lives of children, young people and families.  He’s worked in local areas across the country and on national change programmes such as Troubled Families and Every Child Matters.  Richard lives in Monmouth, is the author of the service design book Outcomes & Efficiency, and occasional contributor to CYPNow.

Sharon White is a nationally recognised education and inclusion leader with extensive experience across SEND, alternative provision, youth justice, and early intervention. She is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people through collaboration, restorative practice, and systems change. Sharon works across education, community, and voluntary sectors to champion inclusion, belonging, and opportunity.

Corporate Director for Children’s Services at Tower Hamlets Council since January 2024 having previously held this role in South Tyneside, Liverpool and Warrington. Steve has followed a non- traditional career path having worked in criminal psychology/ offender profiling, spending time with Lancashire and Merseyside constabularies before taking on roles in local government. Steve is passionate about creating the right conditions for teams to do their best work and about the voice of children and young people influencing everything we do.

Tracy Cockayne is a strategic school leader for inclusion within a primary school setting, with extensive experience across SEND, safeguarding and vulnerable learner provision. Previously a Headteacher of a SEND provision and Centre Lead for a school supporting international new arrivals, Tracy has led award-winning work supporting asylum-seeking and refugee children through the CYPN Awards. She is a qualified SENCO and a passionate advocate for adopted children, trauma-informed practice and care-experienced learners.