Students as Leaders

Gavin Oates

Managing Director, Inspirational Speaker, Comedian & Best-Selling Author

“Inspirational”, “Mind-Blowing”, “Hilarious” and “Barn-Storming” are just a few of the words used by clients to describe Gavin Oattes and his unique ability to entertain, enlighten and educate an audience.

Gavin is an international keynote speaker, award winning comedian, best-selling author of SHINE, LIFE WILL SEE YOU NOW and DIARY OF A BRILLIANT KID. Although he spends much of his time speaking to business leaders and directors of some of the world’s leading organisations Gavin’s true inspiration for what he does comes from where he started out his career…primary school teaching.

He’s a firm believer that we as adults can be every bit as inspired by young children as they can by us grown-ups. Gavin transports his audience back to when they were just 5 years of age, a time when we feared nothing and embraced everything.

Over the past decade, Gavin has worked with literally hundreds of thousands of people and is now regarded as one the most talented and sought after speakers in the UK.

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Colum Mackey is Head of Policy, Representation and Evaluation at Students’ Union UCL, the UK’s largest students’ union. He supports student leaders in influencing change locally and nationally, with a focus on evidence-based policy driven by original research. Outside work, Colum chairs the trustees of an Irish community charity in London.

He studied Law at Ulster University and served as President of Ulster University Students’ Union. In 2017, he completed the Washington Ireland Programme before moving to London.

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Emer Hinphey is a Partner at AAB People, leading the team across Ireland and supporting leaders to enhance and build their capabilities. Her practical and pragmatic approach is tailored to each organisation’s size, culture, and goals. Emer partners with clients to develop and implement people and culture strategies that drive business success.

Jeremy helps young leaders transform their communities.

With experience across the community, charity, and private sectors, he’s developed strong leadership and coaching skills - especially in managing conflict and navigating complex situations. He’ has gone on to facilitate negotiations around grassroots sectarian issues in North Antrim.

Jeremy is driven by a personal mission to equip leaders like you - helping you build the confidence, people skills, and mindset to achieve lasting, positive change.

Sarah is Assistant Director for Performance, Reform and Quality Improvement at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.  Sarah has been working as a manager in Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland since 2005 in roles in Cancer, Haematology and more recently as lead for Transformation and Quality Improvement in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.  Sarah is a trained executive coach and loves seeing people develop and grow in their careers using their skills to improve their work.