East London & Essex Education and Governance Conference and Exhibition 2026

Clare Wilson LL.B (hons) Lond, QTLS, MSET, CIPP/E, CIPM

Clare is the Head of Digital Traded Services at Derbyshire County Council, commercially know as of Education Data Hub; a service set up by to proactively support schools and trusts in Data Protection, Cyber Security and Data Management. Under Clare’s management, the service of brilliant, dedicated education specialists supports over 500 schools and trusts nationwide with its unique, hands on approach to understanding of the challenges in the sector. Claire is formally a Service Manager and Education Data Hub Team Leader, and a senior leader and teacher in both FE and Secondary, Clare’s background as a DPO, an author, senior examiner, teacher trainer and teacher of law, makes her uniquely placed to understand the impact of data protection legislation on the management and governance of a school.

John Volanthen

John Volanthen is a world record-holding British cave diver who has been involved in cave exploration and rescue for more than two decades. He began caving at the age of 14 and has been at the forefront of cave exploration since. In 2018, he played a key role in the Tham Luang Thailand cave rescue and was named one of TIME magazine’s “Heroes of the Year.” The courageous mission was chronicled in the National Geographic documentary The Rescue, as well as the book Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue and the critically acclaimed Hollywood film, Thirteen Lives, in which Volanthen is played by Colin Farrell. Volanthen has been involved in exploring and mapping caves throughout the world, often with dive partner Rick Stanton. Volanthen and Stanton attended the Tham Luang incident in Thailand, where the duo were able to locate the missing children — something not even special forces were able to do. They then planned and executed their successful rescue, leading the team two-and-a-half kilometers through the flooded caves. Volanthen takes his audiences on an unforgettable journey deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand as he shares lessons that are key to performing in high-pressure situations and reveals how those principles can be applied by any organization working toward its goals. In 2004, Volanthen and Stanton set a British record for greatest depth achieved in a British cave, cave diving 76 meters (249 feet) at Wookey Hole in Somerset. Additionally, in 2011, Volanthen, set a world record for longest cave penetration dive, over 10 kilometers in the Pozo Azul cave system in northern Spain, involving a multi-day operation. Volanthen has designed and built diving equipment for 20 years, adapting units commercially available, and building other equipment to meet the unique requirements of individual caves. Problem solving and ‘out of the box’ thinking have been pivotal to his success. In addition to Tham Luang, John has been involved in a number of other search, rescue, and recovery incidents around the world and has been awarded the George Medal for bravery. He is one of only two people to have been awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by the Royal Humane society for his efforts.

Kelly Hannaghan

Kelly is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant and the Director and founder of Mind Work Matters Ltd. She puts wellbeing and people at the heart of education. She is an award-winning motivational speaker, school improvement advisor, published author and founder of the ‘Family Matters’ empowerment and engagement programme. Kelly has worked systemically throughout her career as a director of wellbeing, working with local authorities, MATS, Senior leaders and pastoral teams and Governors to help create healthy work cultures and environments. She is an expert trainer and coach for Senior Mental Health Leads and supports some of the most challenging communities with preventative and early help measures in education. Kelly develops the strategies to help people in education thrive from adversities. Her work with schools and organisations raises aspirations, engagement, attendance, and outcomes. She has recently led on the DFE Wellbeing for Education Return project and leads on education development processes creating outstanding outcomes and awards for many organisations. Recognised by the DfE, NCB, The Anna Freud Centre and The Education Support Partnership as a lead influencer of mental health and wellbeing in education. Website: WWW.MindWorkMatters.Com

Nick Saunders

Nick Saunders has over a 25 year track record as an international keynote speaker and trainer. He specialises in communication, collaboration and conflict resolution – enabling those in schools to work together more effectively. He is the author of the No.1 bestselling book “You can choose your friends…”. Nick is known as The Family Man because he demonstrates that workplaces are like families; you can choose your friends but families and work colleagues you’re stuck with. However, you can still get on with them and Nick illustrates how…by turning relationships into results. Put simply, he is a Collaboration and Practical Communications Specialist who helps those in education turn relationships into results. https://thefamilyman.co.uk/

Stephanie Davies

Stephanie is Laughology’s founder and CEO. Stephanie has over 20 years’ experience working in the public and private sector which has gained her an unsurpassed reputation for designing and delivering laughter and humour interventions for young people and adults in various settings. Recognised as one of the leading voices in the UK on happiness, humour and laughter, Stephanie is increasingly in demand in the world of education and development. In the last 20 years, she has worked on community projects to enhance wellbeing and happiness, helped design spaces more conducive to learning and healthy living, used humour and laughter to communicate public health messages and is the founder of the Happy-Centred School programme. A programme that puts happiness at the heart of the curriculum and has seen schools who take part increase outcomes and results on every level. On leaving the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 2002 she began performing stand-up comedy, and is an award-winning comedian. Her years of experience on the comedy circuit make her the perfect speaker and presenter, with delivery that is witty and informative she has worked her way round some of the most prestigious events and venues including speaking at Whitehall,the world famous Gesundheit institute USA and recently sharing a stage with Dr Martin Seligman at the International positive education conference in Dallas. Stephanie has developed and advised on government initiatives to promote healthy communities and delivered long term solutions to building community relationships in challenging areas. The unique approach of Laughology founded and developed by Stephanie Davies looks at how individuals can be resilient human beings and live lives that flourish and are happy and healthy.