Mike is an experienced therapist and communicator, having worked with over 1,000 patients and having taught and trained over 15,000 health and education professionals world-wide.  He describes himself as a ‘therapeutic pragmatist, enthralled by the science and art of learning’ and is fascinated about the ‘brain bit’ behind what it is to be a successful human being.  Mike loves learning and challenge – having fulfilled an ambition to run in the Sahara Desert, he is now enjoying the ups and downs of learning to play bass guitar.

As an Executive Director, Trevor is the ‘glue’ that holds Naming Elephants together and with over two decades of project development and management experience he’s a proven and effective adhesive!  Trevor is a ‘realistic social optimist’, who lives, breathes and believes wholeheartedly in ‘community’ and what people can achieve when they work constructively together – as evidenced by his work behind the counter and as Chair of his amazing local community shop.

Trevor brings to Naming Elephants a wealth, breadth and depth of educational understanding and practice.  Recognised by OSFTED for his ‘astute leadership and outstanding clarity and purpose’ while head teacher of a large secondary school, Trevor has contributed at national level to strategic educational policy development and debate.  He is fascinated by the neuroscience of well-being, and not just in relation to human beings; until recently Trevor kept a small flock of sheep, which he insists are remarkably intelligent creatures …

Tim is constantly curious about what works well (and why) in improving the life chances of young people, developed over twenty years of work within the voluntary and charitable sector.  Since 1998 Tim has been the Chief Executive for Young Devon, a charity with a national reputation for innovative and effective services that really add value to the lives of young people.  In his previous career within the music business Tim’s claim to fame is that he decided not to sign the band U2 …

Jenny taught across all school phases before becoming head teacher of Westhaven School, leading it to Business & Enterprise and Trust Special School status. Judged by Ofsted as Outstanding in 2008, the report recognised  ‘The excellent leadership and management skills of the head teacher and her exceptional skills in motivating and facilitating others …’. Jenny passionately believes in ‘family’ and in challenging preconceived notions of what is possible. As a parent, and adoptive parent of eight children, Jenny lives ‘complexity’ and finds time to cultivate citrus trees from pips!

Working until 2010 as a consultant paediatrician, Janet has extensive practical experience in child health and in senior management within the NHS.  Passionate about developing holistic and effective interventions for children and families, Janet has successfully created effective multi-disciplinary teams that have focused on the child and delivered innovative solutions in children’s services.  Janet’s continuing fascination with life includes her interest in Eastern Culture and practice of t’ai chi, while maintaining an on-going involvement in child development through the delight she shares in playing with her beautiful grandson.

Dave has been successful and innovative over two decades of work within education as a teacher, adviser and head teacher.  Dave works to enable people to make a positive difference to their lives, and has written about his work with excluded children; he is fascinated by perception, and how we construct meaning in the world in which we live.  Music is another passion in Dave’s life, and Sunday nights find Dave as a radio DJ, broadcasting his choice of soul, funk and jazz to the world.