Your search results
Our 2026 Club Hub Awards Judges
Saturday, 9th of May 2025, Birmingham
Elizabeth James
Elizabeth James is The Baby Class Expert, founder of a global training school for baby and toddler class teachers and the designer behind Sensory Parachutes. An entrepreneur with over two decades in the children’s activity industry, Elizabeth has built two multi award winning independent baby and toddler class businesses, alongside successful product-based businesses.
Through her work, she supports women to create independent, multi-sensory baby and toddler development classes that place child development and maternal wellbeing at the centre, while also building sustainable, profitable businesses outside of franchise models.
“I’m delighted to be judging the Club Hub Awards. It’s always a joy to recognise quality and thoughtful practice within the children’s activity sector, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating businesses that demonstrate care, intention, and real impact”.
Andrew Walters
Andrew Walters, has been a creative driving force in the franchise industry for nearly 20 years, with experience shared between the UK & North America. An advocate and pioneer in the children’s activity space, his exceptional pedigree of growing brands both domestically and globally have made his consultancy Kindling the recognised expert in the sector. Over his career, Andrew has been part of the leadership of franchise superbrands Stagecoach Performing Arts, Pitman Training and Mad Science, playing a key role in their expansions and continuing success.
“I’m delighted to be judging the Club Hub Awards. I work closely with founders building and scaling children’s activity businesses, so I see the hard decisions, resilience and leadership it takes to grow something that really lasts. Club Hub is central to this sector, and it’s great to help recognise founders who are raising the bar for both families and the industry.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andywalters1/
Georgia Sargeant
Georgia is the founder and CEO of SENNIES, an award-winning SEN childcare and training agency and the UK’s leading specialist in inclusive childcare solutions. An accomplished entrepreneur, neurodiverse leader, and dedicated mum of two, she draws on over 15 years of hands-on experience supporting children with additional needs.
With a career built on lived experience, creativity, and deep compassion, Georgia brings a unique blend of expertise to the childcare sector. She is committed to making inclusion the standard—not the exception. SENNIES supports families, local authorities, social services, and businesses across the UK, including their latest partner, TUI, helping ensure every family has access to truly neuroinclusive holidays!
“After such an incredible year of recognition for both myself and SENNIES, I’m truly honoured to join the Club Hub Awards as a judge. I’m passionate about celebrating the activity providers who create inclusive, nurturing spaces where every child can thrive. I can’t wait to meet the inspiring individuals and organisations leading the way in children’s activities across the UK.”
Fran Gubbay
Francesca Gubbay is a digital marketing and growth specialist who co‑founded and scaled Stamptastic into a trusted family brand serving over 400,000 parents across the UK and beyond. Drawing on more than a decade of hands‑on experience in marketing, e‑commerce and small business strategy, she now mentors founders to grow with clarity, confidence and sustainable systems
“I’m excited to judge the Club Hub 100 Awards because children’s activity providers spark joy, creativity and real community impact for families everywhere. As someone who’s scaled Stamptastic and now mentors founders through growth, I can’t wait to spotlight the brilliant entrepreneurs turning passion into thriving businesses that last.”
Howard Richards
Howard Richards is a dedicated Youth Engagement Specialist with over ten years’ experience working with young people in schools, youth offending services, and wider community settings. Passionate about empowerment, he supports young people to navigate life’s challenges through personal development and positive intervention.
Janice Cameron
Janice Cameron brings to the Club Awards 40 years of experience within the early years sector, having worked across a wide range of early years organisations within both the private sector and local authority settings.
She is deeply committed to working with children and families and incorporates her experience of registering and inspecting early years provision into all aspects of her practice. This ensures that children and their families have access to a high standard of service that promotes children’s care, learning, education, and spirituality.
Working with children brings Janice great joy, as every day offers new opportunities to learn and grow.
“I attended the Club Awards last year as a guest and I was uplifted by the magical atmosphere and feeling part of an event that celebrated different organisations that go over and above board to ensure so many children can access fun events and activities. I am very much looking forward to being a judge at this years club awards.”
Kevin Rodgers
Kevin is a dynamic and results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience empowering young people to achieve their full potential. As Founder and CEO of Spark Youth, Kevin leads initiatives that enhance employability, enterprise and personal development for youth, including neurodiverse and disadvantaged communities.
His career spans senior roles at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Maritime Cadets UK, and Cheshire County Council, where he has designed, delivered and scaled programmes that equip young people with the skills and confidence to succeed. Passionate about collaboration and social impact, Kevin also serves as Chair and Trustee on multiple boards, shaping inclusive pathways for learning, employment and community engagement.
“I’m excited to be a judge because I love celebrating young people’s creativity, resilience, and ambition, and seeing their ideas come to life.”
Kwame Boateng
Kwame Boateng is an award-winning entrepreneur, youth advocate, and King’s Trust Ambassador. With a strong passion for community empowerment, he channels his experience into uplifting the next generation through public speaking, strategic leadership, and his committee role with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Black Business Collective.
“I’m thrilled to be a judge for the Top 100 Children’s Activity Providers because every child deserves access to enriching experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and unlock potential. Celebrating the people who make those experiences possible is an honour.”
www.linkedin.com/in/kwame-boateng-95ab04158
Sam Chetwood
Sam Chetwood is the founder of CeCe & Me, a mobile children’s shoe fitting business inspired by her own experiences as a parent of young children. After finding shoe shopping stressful and often at odds with what she instinctively felt was right for her toddlers, Sam set out to create a calmer, more personal service that prioritises children’s development and helps parents feel confident in their choices.
CeCe & Me now supports families across the UK and is built on a strong commitment to early years foot health, parent education and sharing clear, practical information about child development. Through her work, Sam has spent years listening to parents, understanding their concerns and supporting them to make informed decisions during those crucial early years.
Working closely with families and early years providers has given Sam a valuable perspective on what parents value most, quality, trust, connection and genuine impact. She is passionate about championing businesses that support children to thrive and help parents feel supported and connected during the early years of parenthood.
“I’m genuinely excited to be part of the judging panel and to recognise the vital role children’s activity providers play in early years development, often in ways parents don’t fully appreciate until they’re in the thick of it. These businesses offer so much more than activities; they support physical, emotional and social development, while also giving parents choice, reassurance and a sense of community. Working alongside families of young children every day, I see just how important it is for parents to find what truly suits their child, and themselves. I love that these providers create spaces where children can explore, grow and build confidence, while parents connect, learn and feel supported. It’s a privilege to help celebrate the incredible work they do.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-chetwood-the-shoe-lady-43099a10/
Rebekah Henry
Rebekah Henry is a passionate community leader and advocate for providers, early years development and inclusive support. She plays a key role within the Nottingham Baby & Toddler community, connecting families, activity providers and local services through the Nottingham Baby & Toddler online community as well as face to face events and annual awards. Her work focuses on building an accessible, welcoming and supportive network where parents and carers can easily discover trusted local groups, activities, workshops and services for children aged 0–5 and their families, while celebrating the incredible work of local providers and organisations who make a positive difference to family life.
In her full-time role within the charity sector, Rebekah works to support people facing barriers to opportunity. She provides tailored guidance, advocacy and support to individuals navigating challenges, helping them to build confidence, access services and achieve meaningful outcomes. Alongside this, she leads and supports on the delivery of engaging, hands-on events and exciting programmes with industry experience, designed to inspire, upskill and open doors to opportunity across the Midlands and wales regions Hospitality industries.
Rebekah is particularly passionate about inclusivity and representation, ensuring everyone from all backgrounds feel seen, supported and valued within community spaces.
“I’m delighted to be joining the Club Hub Awards 2026 judging panel. It’s a real honour to recognise and celebrate the dedication, creativity and impact of those delivering outstanding family-focused activities and services across the UK.”