Dame Mary is an educator, social sector leader, and cross-sector adviser. She has a passion for learning, landscape, and the arts, with broad experience in leadership, learning, and governance across multiple sectors.
Her journey began as a Geography teacher, progressing to Head of Holland Park School and later CEO of the charity NSPCC. She was the Founding Director of Clore Social Leadership and has held various cross-sector non-executive director roles, including with HSBC Bank, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), London Business School, and Teach First.
She currently also serves on the boards of the London Symphony Orchestra and the British Spanish Society, and is Chair of MEMO Portland.

Ian Livingstone is an entrepreneur and author, and one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry. He co-founded Games Workshop in 1975 launching Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer in the UK. He co-authored The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, the first Fighting Fantasy gamebook in the series which has sold 21 million copies worldwide. He has written 18 gamebooks which are acknowledged for improving critical thinking and literacy levels in children. He is a leading advocate for ‘the power of play’ and digital skills. He worked with government to introduce the new Computing curriculum in schools in 2014. The Livingstone Academy Bournemouth opened in September 2021 in association with Aspirations Academies Trust with a focus on digital creativity.

Andi Oliver is a British chef, television and radio presenter. “I love the work of the iOi and the organisation’s values really resonated with me. Imagination has been crucial for me in my life and career, and I am passionate about giving children the opportunity to continue using their imagination for their future. The iOi Schools Programme is essential in developing life skills such as the ability to think creatively, problem solve and build resilience and I’m very happy to be supporting such a progressive organisation working hard to support the education outcomes of many children.”

Thomas is a globally renowned designer, celebrated for his innovative approach to architecture and public spaces. As the founder of Heatherwick Studio, he has led landmark projects such as the Little Island in New York and Google’s campuses, blending art, engineering, and human-centred design.
Passionate about creativity in education, Thomas supports the Institute of Imagination to inspire the next generation of thinkers and makers. His advocacy for hands-on learning aligns with the Institute’s mission to nurture curiosity and innovation in children.
Honoured with a CBE and numerous design accolades, Thomas continues to champion imagination as a powerful force for change in education and beyond.

(1950-2020)
A big thank you to the late, great educator, Sir Ken Robinson, who was our Founding Patron and continues to inspire us with his enormous legacy of work.
Author, speaker and international adviser on education and creativity, Sir Ken had been Patron of the Institute since early 2014. His encouragement and ideas were a constant source of inspiration for us, and he was so generous with his time and energy. Together with many in the cultural and education sectors, we will be working to take forward the values and principles which Sir Ken championed so effectively, but in particular that which defines us as humans – our power to imagine.
Here, Sir Ken Robinson shares his thoughts on the power of imagination and launch of our Imagination Lab: watch the video on YouTube

Abdi Omar is a motivational speaker, YouTuber, entrepreneur, disability and Cerebral Palsy campaigner. “There are millions of people with disabilities around the world that are dreaming for opportunity to get what I have. Therefore since 2012 I have been using my voice to inspire & motivate people. I use my disability as my biggest motivation to achieve the impossible. I love to overcome the odds and change people’s perceptions about disability.”