Author List

Gervase Phinn

Professor Gervase Phinn taught in a range of schools for fourteen years before becoming an education adviser and school inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster, writer, and a consultant for the Open University. He is President of The School Library Association.

Kenny Pieper

Kenny Pieper has been teaching English for fifteen years and still loves every minute of it. He stands shakily on the shoulders of giants in the shape of his amazingly inspiring colleagues. Deep down, he still can't believe his luck that he gets to do this.

Click here to listen in on Kenny's podcast with Pivotal Education on How to get children reading for pleasure'.

Claudette Portelli

Claudette Portelli is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, therapist, researcher and trainer at the Centro di Terapia Strategica in Arezzo, Italy.

Joanna Povall

Joanna Povall is the Principal of Wales International School in Abu Dhabi. With over 30 years in education across the UK, France, and the UAE, she serves as a Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, accrediting over 20 schools worldwide. Joanna was awarded TES International Principal of the Year in 2024, and her ‘CHASE’ framework of leadership was shortlisted for the TES International School Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year in 2025. She champions inclusive, compassionate leadership.

Graham Powell

Graham Powell has over forty years' experience working in education ' holding various posts including head teacher, Ofsted inspector, and local authority adviser ' and has throughout his career maintained a passionate concern for the ways in which young people learn. He has worked with numerous schools, both across the UK and overseas, that have chosen to place the LPA at the heart of their vision for 21^st century learning. Graham is also a distinctive and inspirational trainer and is the co-author of many books including The Learning Powered School and Pathways to Coaching.

Simon Pridham

Simon Pridham has successfully managed and implemented a mobile device learning programme as head teacher of Casllwchwr Primary, which is frequently named as one of the UK's leading schools in using technology. Simon has been Lifelong Intergenerational Furthering Education (LIFE) Programme Manager across Wales and has also worked closely with the country's Education Ministers as a member of the Welsh Government Practitioners Panel and the National Digital Learning Council.

He is co-founder and Director of Aspire 2Be (www.aspire2b.eu) who are a leading Ed Tech company working with schools, local authorities and governments in rolling out technology-led programmes.

Muriel Prince Warren

Muriel P. Warren, DSW, ACSW, is a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, author and educator engaged in private practice in Rockland County. She is the former Executive Director of the Psychoanalytic Center for Communicative Education and Past President of the International Society for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She holds degrees from Fordham, Columbia, and Adelphi Universities in Psychology and Social Work, as well as a Certificate in Psychoanalysis from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. She is a Diplomat at the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and Executive Director and President of the Warren Trauma Center established in May 2004.

Manfred Prior

In his native Germany, Manfred Prior is a popular and well-known trainer in the use of precise language in hypnotherapy and counselling. In his capacity as a psychotherapist, counsellor and coach, he is always trying to find new possibilities, ways to improve and workable solutions. Fundamentally, Manfred Prior is interested in how people can achieve the greatest possible success from the least amount of effort.

Oliver Quinlan

Oliver Quinlan is an educator with experience from Early Years and Primary to Higher Education. His background has involved developing the use of new technologies and pedagogical approaches based on authentic communication with children and new and existing teachers. Since being a school teacher, Oliver has been a Lecturer in Education at Plymouth University and Programme Manager for Digital Education at Nesta, working on innovation projects in Education. He is currently Research Manager at The Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Listen to Oliver's US interview with Mr Dad (the interview starts at around 12.27 mins in).

Click here to read Oliver Quinlan’s blog.

Cynthia R Kalodner

Cynthia R Kalodner PhD is director of the Counseling Psychology program at Towson University and a licensed psychologist. She has written extensively about eating disorders and disturbances and has made presentations across the USA.

Ian R McLaren

Ian R McLaren is a registered INLPTA trainer of NLP with a background in financial and general management. As Investment Controller and Planner with the Canada Life Assurance Company, he has worked in London, New York and Toronto, gaining a wide range of senior management experience. During his varied and successful career, Ian has also worked as a finance director, consultant, author, business coach and trainer.

Peter Radford

Peter Radford is a teacher, trainer, public speaker and coach with a wealth of experience in leadership, management and personal development. He began his career in youth work before entering teaching and working in middle and senior leadership. Peter has also played a lead role in helping two large secondary schools achieve Unicef's Rights Respecting Schools Award.

Click here to read Peter Radford’s blog.