Theme: Diversity of Tunbridge Wells

With 100 in attendance (and over 150 on the waiting list, not to mention the volunteers), ideas, experiences and stories were shared by 15 highly acclaimed international, regional and local speakers, including musical performances. The objective was to share and discuss Diversity and there was huge variety, energy, power, emotion, thought-provoking sessions to inspire positive change. The audience was amazed with the experience and walked away with new friends, new perspective, and perhaps change for themselves. We received a Net Promoter Score of 71%. What an amazing journey!

The Skinners' Kent Academy
Sandown Park
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4PY
United Kingdom

Alan Knight

Alan Knight is CEO of International Animal Rescue

Andrew Sillitoe

When Andrew Sillitoe was 9 his mum bought him a street hockey stick. An unusual gift for an English boy living in the South East of England, but in that moment, his life would never be the same. He is now one of the most recognisable names in the inline hockey scene, both as a player and coach. Andrew studied an MSc in Organisational Psychology from Birkbeck University. He wrote his first book Managing the Mist How to develop winning mind-sets and create high performing teams in 2013. Andrew helps organisations achieve commercial success by creating teams with purpose. He passionately believes that a team with purpose is more innovative, diverse and agile to any organisation. He lives in Royal Tunbridge Wells with his wife Lucie and their two daughters Izzie and Freya.

Ben Hunter

Ben is a student at Skinners' Kent Academy

Brian Kent

A successful serial Entrepreneur and Professional International Businessman who has traded in over 90 Countries throughout the World during the course of a 50 or so year career.

Darshana Ubl

Darshana Ubl is an entrepreneur, investor and a voice for UK’s Small Business as seen on BBC News, ITV and other mainstream media.

Dr Ross Piper

Zoologist, author and presenter/on-screen expert.

Geoff Meekums

Geoff served in the Royal Navy, read Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge University and was made an OBE. On leaving the RN he joined British Aerospace working as a specialist consultant in London. Taking early retirement in 1998, he joined the voluntary charity known as Remap as an engineer – making bespoke equipment for disabled persons in his workshop.

Karen Hickson-Smith

Life & Soul is a local charity in Tunbridge Wells working with children and young people age 5 – 25; the charity delivers therapy, mentoring and education in local primary and secondary schools and at a hostel for homeless teenagers. Karen leads a team who are passionate about helping others realise their potential and they deliver work which empowers young people with the skills and knowledge they require in order to make that a reality. Over the past seven years, Karen has worked with over 100 young homeless teenagers, many of whom are parents and has supported a number of them in the transition into their own home.

Katie King

PR expert and MD of Zoodikers.

Maddy Warren

Maddy was a trustee of Kidney Research UK and has been a lay advisor to the London Strategic Clinical Network for Renal Medicine and a member of the national Kidney Health 2032 future strategy initiative. She volunteers as a peer supporter for dialysis patients at Guy’s Hospital and is a passionate advocate for promoting home dialysis and patient independence.

Paul Dunton

Live music events organiser and singer-songwriter

PJ Cole

PJ Cole trains and mobilises community leaders in Sierra Leone. PJ studied law in the UK where he also joined Life Line Community Projects, supporting vulnerable young people. In 2012 he was asked to restructure the school and home for ex-child soldiers that was established by his father in Sierra Leone. PJ now works in Sierra Leone where he directs a safe-home, four schools and a vocational skills programme that helps young people to be community leaders. He is a winner of the Queens Young Leaders Award and is the Executive Director of Lifeline Nehemiah Projects.

Struan Robertson

Struan Robertson, a New Zealander by birth, is a world-class keynote speaker, facilitator and mind-set specialist working out of the United Kingdom. He is founder of BE-a-TEN Ltd, a consultancy that releases potential in people.

William Benson

William has been Chief Executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council since 2009. During his time at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, William has led on a number of major projects and was instrumental in overseeing a process that saw the Council’s independent external assessment improve from ‘Weak’ to ‘Excellent’ – one of only two councils that has ever achieved this.