Team

ANDREW SCOTT
Serial Entrepreneur | UK and Global Scale-Up Expert | Mentor to Over 1,000 Entrepreneurs
Andrew Scott is a globally respected entrepreneur and the founder of the Ascot Group, one of Britain’s most successful media, tech, and marketing companies. From surviving the Belfast Troubles to building a multi-million-pound business empire, Andrew’s entrepreneurial journey includes founding Business Leader, Britain’s premier magazine for entrepreneurs.
A visionary leader, Andrew has scaled or sold numerous companies, mentored more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, and collaborated with some of the world’s most influential business figures. As an award-winning angel investor and growth strategist, he brings unparalleled expertise in leadership and execution, helping businesses achieve breakthrough success.
SIR DAVID R. GOLDBERG, PH.D.

Human Rights Scholar | Peace Builder | Entrepreneur | Advisor to World Leaders
Dr. Sir David R. Goldberg is an accomplished academic, educator, human rights scholar, and entrepreneur with extensive experience advising world leaders and international organisations. His academic work focuses on Holocaust education, genocide, human rights, and teacher development, and he teaches social science courses both at the secondary level and in partnership with Long Island University and, previously, at Columbia University.Dr. Goldberg currently serves as an Education Ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations, the world’s leading foreign policy think tank. He is also a member of the President’s Leadership Council at Search for Common Ground, a global organisation dedicated to peacebuilding in over 38 countries, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hussein of Jordan.
As a Special Advisor to NGO Sustainability, which holds official consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, Dr. Goldberg works to implement sustainable solutions to global challenges. His additional board roles include Vice President of Peace Education Initiative Rwanda and membership on the Board of Directors for Humanity Effect in Nigeria, which brings quality education to those living in extreme poverty.
Dr. Goldberg is a sought-after speaker on topics including conflict resolution, global education, and peacebuilding, having spoken at prestigious events such as the Oxford Education Research Symposium at Oxford University. He has also led roundtable discussions in Afghanistan, advised organisations in Haiti, and developed educational programmes in India, reaching millions of students.
Dr. Goldberg is also an entrepreneur and technological innovator. He was the founding chairman ofLensdrop, Inc., a digital media platform focused on empowering creators with high-quality stock photos. He oversaw its acquisition by Canva, the world’s most popular graphic design platform.Dr. Goldberg holds a B.A., summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa from Binghamton University, an M.S. from Hofstra University, and both an M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Columbia University.
ROB SIMMS
Global Super-Connector

Formerly of Google, Box and the BBC, Rob Sims is a well-known figure in global networking and strategic partnerships, recognised for his ability to connect influential leaders across industries and sectors.
He is an expert in strategic leadership, business development, team leadership and strategy
JIM SMITH
Educator | Best-Selling Author | Inspirational Speaker

Jim Smith is a renowned educational leader, one of Britain’s best headteachers and the best-selling author of The Lazy Teacher’s Handbook series.
A visionary, creative and strategic headteacher and speaker, he equips schools with innovative tools to empower students, making learning more engaging and effective.
PATRICIA JONES
CEO | Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College

Patricia Jones is an accomplished educational leader, currently serving as the Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College. Pat has worked within Public Sector for over 30 years, 17 of which have been within the Further Education Sector. Pat joined Weston College in July 2024 as Principal and Chief Executive, having previously held the post of Deputy Chief Executive at the Bedford College Group.
Highlighting her leadership capabilities, Pat was shortlisted for the FE Leader of the Year category in 2019 and Bedfordshire Business Leader in the same year.
Driving organisational development, Pat has engaged with and delivered national policy changes, driven significant growth, led on successful college mergers and the acquisition of independent training providers.
Notably her work on Estate strategy has seen Pat raising close to £50m in grants, building net zero carbon college sites, working with local councils on large regeneration projects and the redevelopment of old education sites, benefiting future generations of learners.
As a qualified accountant, Pat maintained outstanding financial health at The Bedford college Group throughout her tenure there as Deputy Chief Executive. This success has led Pat to start a PhD at Oxford University exploring how FE can achieve sustainable finances and how the sector can develop systems leadership in order to benefit from the research findings.
SHANE DEAN
Visionary Founder | Award-Winning Journalist - Inspirational Speaker

Shane Dean is the founder of The Good News Post and an award-winning journalist with a distinguished 30-year career in the Media. He is also a PR and publicity expert.
He is also an inspirational speaker with a passion to help people overcome mental health challenges and live life to the fullest.
Known as a super connector for his ability to connect people and communities and amplify positive stories.
WENDY GRIFFIN
CEO | Consultant Editor of Wellspring

Wendy Griffin is the CEO of Wellspring and a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing.
With years of experience leading initiatives that prioritise emotional resilience, Wendy ensures The Good News Post remains a champion of youth wellbeing and mental health support.
She recently finished her Masters Degree with a specialism in the effects of social media on young minds and their mental health.
DAWN CAREY
Consultant Editor | CEO of In Charley’s Memory

Dawn Carey is the CEO of In Charley’s Memory, a charity dedicated to mental health, set up in memory of Charley who took his own life aged 18 in 2014.
A respected leader in the field, Dawn has spent her career creating safe, supportive spaces for young people. Her expertise strengthens The Good News Post's commitment to addressing mental health challenges with compassion and care.
JACK EASTERBROOK
Head of Digital | Digital Marketing Expert

Jack Easterbrook is a digital marketing expert and specialist in publishing.
Specialising in innovative digital strategies, Jack combines creativity with technical expertise to deliver impactful solutions that connect and engage audiences.
His leadership in digital innovation drives The Good News Post's reach and relevance in an increasingly digital-first world.
PIPPA WHITFIELD - BUSINESS LEADER

Pippa is Founder of The LBB Agency and Former MD of the Largest National Joined Up Business Network in the UK
Pippa is a forward-thinking business leader with an exceptional ability to lead through change.
From playing a pivotal role in guiding thousands of business owners through a pandemic-induced transformation to enabling experts to be seen and heard in an incredibly noisy space, she has earned herself a sterling reputation as a woman of her word.
Pippa’s approach is grounded in resilience, positivity and a deep belief in breaking free from outdated business models. She’s a dedicated mother of two teenage daughters and is proof that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of balance—it's about finding harmony between ambition and personal well-being.
GOOD NEWS ROOMS WORLDWIDE AND JILL DANDO NEWS
The global Good News Room project began in 2011 when children at Priory School near the childhood home of Jill Dando in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset began writing good news stories.
Twelve years earlier Jill was murdered after rising with humility, positivity and brilliance to become one of Britain’s best TV journalists.
In 2017 Jill Dando News was born when the project went to Worle School nearby - Jill’s childhood school. It since moved across the UK and into Malawi, Africa.
In 2025 the Good News Room project was born with Jill as the culture and inspiration for millions of young journalists to be trained in the years to come to find, write and publish good news worldwide.
PATRONS OF JILL DANDO NEWS
NIGEL DANDO - Journalist of 48 years, older brother of Jill Dando

Experienced and brilliant journalist of 48 years with the BBC and newspapers. Nigel has helped to train up dozens of young reporters since 2017.
MR SPEAKER SIR LINDSAY HOYLE - Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament

Mr Speaker is a globally recognised person with a passion for helping people and his very important job in the UK Parliament.
ELLISE HAYWARD - MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, DISABILITIES EDITOR

Ellise is an inspirational speaker and become a patron after Jill Dando News reporters interviewed her at Priory.
She become the world’s first disabilities editor of a global online newspapers. She motivates and lights up audiences whoever she goes.
LIZ DAVIS - HEAD OF UK OPERATIONS
Liz was a school friend of Jill Dando and is the mastermind of the Good News Project from 2011 along with the then headteacher Neville Coles at Priory School.

SARAH O’ GORMAN - HEAD OF AFRICA OPERATIONS

Sarah has run the Good News Room at Priory School since 2018 when she also took a Good News Room to Malawi, Africa as part of the community building work there.
She is also a fantastic English teacher and project manager.

EMMA BRITTON - FORMER BBC AND NOW A SPEAKER AND CELEBRANT
Emma was one of the first patrons of Jill Dando News and is a passionate support of the project. She has helped the reporters to become public speakers.

DAN MILFORD - HEADTEACHER AND EX PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER

Dan was one of the first headteachers to lead his school through the Jill Dando News program. His student reporters hosted Boris Johnson for three hours with a round of interviews also involving Sky News’.
His reporters including Dawson, aged 12, then interviewed Boris as the new Prime Minister in Downing Street in August 2019. A global TV audience watched the students quiz the PM. Boris then visited the school again there years later via zoom.
JOHN CROCKFORD-HAWLEY - FORMER FRIEND OF JILL DANDO

John is a former twice mayor of the town where Jill Dando was raised. He is also an experienced teacher.
DAN ALDRIDGE MP - POLITICIAN
Dan is an enthusiastic supporter of Jill Dando News and is current MP for the town where Jill Dando was raised.
JOHN PENROSE MP - POLITICIAN
John is the former MP of the town where the Good News Room project all began and helped to get things off the ground inside Parliament.
NICK ROSS - FORMER BBC TV JOURNALIST WITH JILL DANDO
Nick presented the Crimewatch programme with Jill on the BBC. He is a vastly experienced journalist.
JEFFREY ARCHER - AUTHOR AND FORMER FRIEND OF JILL DANDO

GRADUATES
ALEX CROWTHER

Alex was the first reporter and has been flying high ever since with a First Class Degree in Broadcast Journalism and now one of Britain’s youngest ever football club members.
OLIVIA FINCH - MEDICAL STUDENT BRISTOL UNIVERSITY

As the first graduate from Jill Dando’s old school, Olivia has thrived and attributes much of her confidence and success from the Good News Room. She has starred on BBC TV aged 14 and then on ITV Good Morning Britain live when she covered the COP Glasgow event.
Olivia has had training and tips from top flight journalists including Fiona Bruce who she interviewed in lockdown, hosting up to 30 young reporters.
JOSHUA KEYES - SPORTS JOURNALIST
DAWSON WRAY
LIAM DRURY