Dwayne Fields

UK Chief Scout

Dwayne Fields is the UK Chief Scout, succeeding Bear Grylls in 2024, and the first Black Briton to trek more than 400 miles to the Magnetic North Pole. An accomplished explorer and broadcaster, he has fronted several television series, including 'Endurance: Race to the Nile' and the BAFTA-nominated 'Endurance: Race to the Pole' for Channel 5, which saw him retrace historic expeditions. Dwayne has also appeared on Disney+ and National Geographic’s 'Welcome to Earth' with Will Smith, and stars in 'Seven Toughest Days', testing his limits in some of the world’s most extreme environments.

Rob Hopkins 

Co-founder, Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes

Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes, and an internationally recognised author, speaker and thought leader on community-led change. His books include 'The Transition Handbook, From What Is to What If', and the forthcoming 'How to Fall in Love with the Future'. An Ashoka Fellow, Rob has spoken at TED Global and multiple TEDx events, appeared in the French documentary phenomenon I, and hosted over 100 episodes of his podcast From What If to What Next. He holds a PhD from the University of Plymouth, two honorary doctorates, and was named an Honorary Citizen of Liège in 2022.

Emma Bronnin

Head Teacher, Pakeman Primary School, Islington

Emma Bonnin is the Head Teacher at Pakeman Primary School in Islington, North London. Originally from France, she moved to the UK over 20 years ago to study Early Childhood Studies and complete a PGCE specialising in Languages. At Pakeman, where the number of Pupil Premium pupils and those with English as an additional language is above the national average, Emma has gained extensive experience supporting children’s social, emotional and communication development. She leads a dedicated team that prioritises pupil wellbeing alongside academic achievement, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Robyn Bruce

Head Teacher of Cubitt Town Primary School, London

Michael Burke

PE Specialist, St. Katharine’s CE Primary School, Bournemouth 

Andy Dunkerley

Regional Physical Education Manager

Andy Dunkerley has over 20 years’ experience in the prison service, with a career focused on improving outcomes for people in custody. For more than a decade, he has held senior leadership roles and currently serves as a Regional Physical Education Manager. In this role, he develops strategic policies and frameworks to enhance the delivery and impact of physical education across the prison estate. Andy supports more than 50 prison PE departments, driving high standards, professional development and innovative practice. He is passionate about rehabilitation and wellbeing, creating opportunities that promote physical health and positive behaviour change among prison populations.

Ruth Marvel OBE

CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

James Mooney

Senior Curriculum Leader for PE, Cabot Learning Federation

James Mooney is a nationally recognised leader in physical education, driving inclusive and impactful practice across his multi-academy trust and beyond. As Lead PE Catalyst for the Youth Sport Trust, he supports schools regionally and nationally, fostering collaboration and championing youth voice. James has led curriculum innovation, staff CPD, and strategic partnerships with School Games and Girls’ Football, while developing the Well School Trust approach to transform student engagement. Passionate about physical literacy and equity, he acts as a connector and positive disruptor, creating lasting change and opportunities for young people, particularly those underserved by traditional school models.

Natalie Pearson

Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Epidemiology, Loughborough University

Natalie Pearson is a Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Epidemiology and Public Health at Loughborough University, specialising in systems-based approaches to promoting physical activity and nutrition among children and young people. Her research explores how individual, social, and policy-level factors influence health behaviours and impact mental and physical wellbeing. Recognised for advancing evidence that informs equitable interventions and public health policy, she contributes through systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Natalie leads the England arm of the international Active School Uniforms project, collaborating with eight global partners to examine policies, barriers and facilitators related to active uniforms in primary and secondary schools.

David Percival

Head Teacher, Riverside Special School, Goole

David Percival has been involved in education since 1998, beginning his career teaching PE and racing professionally in Spain before moving into leadership roles in sport. After contributing to the Sports College network and the Building Schools for the Future Programme in Hull, he transitioned into special education following the 2012 Olympics. For the past two years, he has led Riverside School, driven by a passion for physical education and the belief that opportunities to move and be active are a gift. David is also co-author of research exploring how school staff can amplify the PE voices of pupils with severe learning difficulties.

Dr Wendy Russell

Senior Research Fellow in Play, University of Gloucestershire

Dr Wendy Russell is an independent researcher and Senior Research Fellow in Play at the University of Gloucestershire. She has led multiple studies on the Welsh Government’s Play Sufficiency Duty and co-authored a review of contemporary research on children’s play for Play Wales. Wendy has also investigated play in schools across the UK and Europe, leading evidence reviews on the benefits of play in schools for OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) and, in collaboration with Ludicology, on play sufficiency in schools. Her work focuses on advancing understanding of the role and value of play in children’s development and education.

Nikki St John

Head Teacher, St Katharine’s CE Primary School, Bournemouth

Nikki St John has been Head Teacher of St Katharine’s CE Primary School in Bournemouth for 16 years, passionately fostering a school culture centred on wellbeing. Under her leadership, the school achieved an Ofsted Outstanding rating in 2024, recognising the impact of its “Forever Flourishing” vision. A Headteacher Ambassador for the Youth Sport Trust since 2013, Nikki has guided the school to become a Beacon Well School. With 30 years of primary education experience as a teacher and PE specialist, she has served on the QCA PE Advisory Group, is a former National Leader in Education, Chair of the Dorset PESSPA Network, a CMI Chartered Manager and mentors other school leaders.

Frances White

Regional School Engagement Lead for London and the South East, London Marathon Foundation

Frances White is the Children and Young People Engagement Lead for London and the South-East at London Marathon Events and the London Marathon Foundation. She leads the regional delivery, sustainability and impact of The Daily Mile and related participation programmes, supporting children and young people across London and the South East of England to engage in regular physical activity.

Iain Williamson

Head Teacher, Dame Dorothy Primary, Sunderland

Iain Williamson has been Head Teacher of Dame Dorothy Primary in Sunderland since 2009, passionately promoting the life-changing benefits of physical activity. He has transformed the school’s culture by embedding movement into learning and wellbeing, including daily running sessions for all pupils and a weekly running club. In 2024, he introduced an “always active” uniform to encourage daily activity, attracting national attention. Iain has spoken at Westminster and the 2025 Labour Party Conference on Active Uniforms, establishing himself as a national voice for innovative approaches to children’s health. Under his leadership, the school has earned Youth Sport Trust Beacon status.