EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Holly is a Reader at Loughborough University London and a globally recognised expert in the field of Sport for Development (SfD). Her interdisciplinary research explores the role of sport in addressing issues of social justice, inclusion, identity, and peacebuilding across diverse global contexts. Holly has led and advised on international research projects funded by organisations such as the Commonwealth Secretariat, UNODC, UNHCR and the IOC.

As Executive Director, Holly serves as a public-facing representative of the institute, shaping strategic partnerships, engaging with policy and governance stakeholders, and advocating for the use of evidence-based approaches in youth and community development. Her academic expertise and leadership play a central role in ensuring the integrity, relevance, and visibility of the organisation’s work on the global stage.

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & LEAD RESEARCHER

Jack is a specialist in youth development, violence prevention, and Sport for Development (SfD), with a strong track record in research, evaluation, and strategic consultancy. He holds a PhD from Loughborough University London, where his thesis examined how sport can act as a tool to prevent youth violence across the UK.

Jack has worked across academic, policy, and practitioner spaces, contributing to high-profile research and evaluation projects for local governance and national/international governing bodies. His experience spans community-led programme design, multi-agency collaboration, and the development of context-specific prevention frameworks.

As Director of Strategy and Lead Researcher, Jack is responsible for driving project development, overseeing research operations, and managing relationships with key partners. His work ensures the institute remains grounded in real-world impact while maintaining academic rigour and ethical integrity.

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Anna is a scholar in Sport for Development and Peace. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at Ball State University and earned her PhD from Loughborough University London. Anna’s work spans topics such as youth crime and violence prevention, the mental health impacts of forced displacement, and the psychosocial effects of equipment provision in low-resource sport settings. 

She has collaborated with global organisations including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Playworks, and Good Sports. Anna currently serves as a Think Tank member for the Olympic Refuge Foundation and sits on the advisory board for Ball State’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.

As Senior Research Fellow at SPIRE, Anna brings international insight and academic excellence to the team, playing a key role in shaping research design, contributing to data analysis and reporting, and helping to ensure our work reflects the needs of communities while aligning with international development priorities.

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Aaron is a former Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor at RMIT University and now affiliated with both Loughborough University London and the University of Canberra. He is a globally recognised academic whose work sits at the intersection of sport, business, and social justice. With deep expertise in sport governance, commercialisation, and organisational change, his research critically examines how sport can serve both as a vehicle for economic growth and a platform for social inclusion—or exclusion.

Aaron holds two doctoral degrees—one in change management and another in cognitive science—and has authored 24 books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles across a wide range of academic disciplines. His research has appeared in prestigious outlets such as the British Medical Journal and the Journal of Sport Management, with his thought leadership helping to shape the global conversation on sport's role in society. He has consulted with over 150 organisations across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, including professional sports clubs, multinational corporations, national governing bodies, media companies, and government agencies.

Aaron brings unmatched expertise in research design, systems thinking, and high-level strategic planning to SPIRE, contributing to the methodological rigour and real-world relevance of our work.

RESEARCH AND PROGRAMME ASSISTANT

JP is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough London University whose work focuses on sport, youth development, and education. His work seeks to build on his own experiences of elite sport as a former football academy graduate, to understand the intersection of sport and education through research on Dual Career Performance.

JP plays a key role in the institute’s data collection and analysis. His grounding in qualitative methods, combined with a deep understanding of the challenges facing marginalised communities, enables him to co-produce impactful research with authenticity and rigour. JP is actively involved in fieldwork, literature reviews, and drafting outputs across projects.

RESEARCH AND PROGRAMME ASSISTANT

Maya is an emerging researcher with a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of sport, social justice, and youth empowerment. Currently undertaking a PhD at Loughborough University London, her research focuses on gender, racial inequality, and identity within Sport for Development contexts. Maya brings hands-on experience in conducting fieldwork, qualitative analysis, and youth engagement to the SPIRE team. Her work is grounded in both academic rigour and a passion for amplifying underrepresented voices through sport-based programmes. As part of SPIRE, Maya supports research delivery, stakeholder engagement, and the development of resources that contribute to inclusive and impactful interventions.