Tina has worked in Education and Residential Social Care and has been a youth worker for over 30 years. She is passionate about hearing from not only parent carers, but also children and young people.

During the Covid 19 pandemic, Tina has been a member of key government boards including the Department for Education’s Vulnerable Children’s Board, The SEND Review Steering Group and the alternative provision advisory group.

Dan is an educational psychologist and tutor on the doctoral EP training course at the University of Bristol. He is currently co-vice chair of the British Psychological Society Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP). Dan’s interests are in the communication and dissemination of psychology to wider audiences, with a focus on inclusion and accessibility. He has supported EP services (LA, CiC, Coop and Social enterprise) to enhance their visibility. He has extensive media experience and runs edpsy.org.uk, and online magazine with a global audience showcasing the work of educational psychologists and allied professionals. Other professional interests include the (mis)application of neuroscience within educational psychology, and educational psychology and the climate crisis. 

Charlotte Ramsden OBE is Salford City Council's Strategic Director for People, a directorate that includes Children's and Adult Services as well as Public Health. 

Charlotte began her career as a social worker and held a range of management positions before joining Salford City Council in October 2014 as Director of Children’s Services.

Charlotte has developed and led integrated multi-agency services for children and families involving close partnerships with all key organisations. She has also been responsible for statutory social work provision in two different authorities, both of which have been judged “Good” by Ofsted. Charlotte took on the additional role of Director of Adult Social Services in June 2015. 

Charlotte is actively involved in regional and Greater Manchester partnership working and chairs the Greater Manchester Directors of Children’s Services group. She has taken a key role in the development and implementation of the GM Children and Young People’s Plan, which endorses the Greater Manchester partnership ambition for outcomes and was agreed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in December 2018. In October 2020 Charlotte was awarded the OBE for services to Children’s Services. 

Charlotte is the Immediate Past President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services. As the 2021/22 President Charlotte was at the forefront of ADCS's activities, leading on key areas of priority for ADCS in policy discussions with the Department for Education and other government departments, plus working with other partner organisations. Charlotte led on ADCS responses in the press and media, select committees and conferences, with a relentless focus on the best outcomes for children, young people and families.

Andy is Managing Partner and co-owner of the Connect Group, comprising London-based Connect and Belfast-based Stratagem. He provides strategic advice and senior counsel to our clients on media and political strategy, issues management and crisis communications.      

Andy draws on his experiences as a former Member of Parliament, representing Corby and serving as a Shadow Minister, member of a Select Committee and Bill Committees.  Prior to this, Andy was Chief Executive of the LGIU, an award winning thinktank and membership body for UK local government.  Andy’s other experience includes: Vice President of the Local Government Association, trustee of the Centre for Public Scrutiny and Board Chair of Local Energy Ltd, a social enterprise business.     

Andy is a Board Member of the Public Relations Consultants Association and Vice Chair of Governors at the Kettering Buccleuch Academy.  Andy features in the PR Week Powerbook of leading figures in public relations.