Formerly head of climate change at the National Lottery Community Fund, Nick is Executive Director of the Environmental Funders Network, convening the UK’s leading individual and institutional impact investors and philanthropists for climate and nature recovery. Nick is also a board member for Outdoor People and Woking Environment Action (WEAct). Before joining the Lottery he led ActionFunderwhich brings businesses and other funders together with communities to bring about impactful change at a local level. Nick co-founded Outdoor Classroom Day, and Backyard Nature – two campaigns which aim to improve young people’s connection with nature and the outdoors. Prior to this he worked for eight years as an economist advising government departments and regional authorities on environmental issues, climate technology and policy.

Jenny Edwards CBE FFP is Chair of People’s Health Trust and a Trustee at Affinity Trust. A Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows, she serves as National Advisor on Mental Health and the Mindfulness Initiative. As a visionary strategist, Jenny builds diverse alliances to address social challenges, driving impactful change. She excels in promoting values-led, evidence-based solutions and advocates for approaches rooted in community strengths. Jenny’s skills span strategic vision, communication, network building, and policy transformation, making her a confident, persuasive leader who engages effectively across all levels of society, from government ministers to marginalised communities.

Jessica is the Deputy Director for the Institute for Health Equity. She has shaped the strategic direction of the Institute and overseen its work and development. She has worked closely with international organisations, national and local governments, businesses and the economic sector, third sector organisations and public health and health care systems. She has published widely on the social determinants of health and led much of the Institute’s work and leads the IHE’s work with global organisations including the UN.

Bridie joined Social Enterprise Academy in 2025, and leads the Adult Learning team, working across the UK and internationally, supporting them in developing and maintaining strong partnerships, ensuring high quality delivery and impact, and innovating our approach to leadership and transformational learning. She has over thirty years’ experience in the community sector, having worked with a variety of different organisations including start-ups, social enterprise and also in business, and her expertise ranges from the environment to arts and community, and capital and land projects, through to organisational development. Bridie has held positions on boards, such as Community Land Scotland, Poverty Alliance Scotland and Southern Upland Partnership. She was the founder of Open Road, in Essex, an innovative drug & alcohol charity, and a founding Trustee of Alchemy Film Festival. Outside of the Academy she enjoys writing poetry, reading and film, travel near and far, growing good food and promoting wild-life habitats, and nature recovery.