East London & Essex Education and Governance Conference 2027

Rt Hon Lord (David) Blunkett

Lord Blunkett has served in public life for over 40 years. From Leader of England’s fourth largest city to Home Secretary at the time of 9/11, he has taken on some of the most challenging roles in British politics. Few senior politicians have experienced quite so many ups and downs, and none have achieved high office having been blind since birth.

Growing up in poverty, David’s circumstances were made even tougher when at the age of twelve he lost his father in a work accident. Rejecting the dismissal of many, and with the help of evening classes and day release from work, he entered the University of Sheffield and went on to become the youngest ever councillor in the city.

After leading Sheffield City Council, David entered Parliament and held shadow portfolios in health, education, and employment. As Labour Party Chair, he became a key architect in the development of New Labour. Following the 1997 Labour landslide, David was appointed Secretary of State for Education and Employment, covering everything from early years and schooling to apprenticeships, higher education, and equal opportunities. As Home Secretary during one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history, he oversaw counter-terrorism, immigration, and justice. He later served as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, leading reforms in retirement income, welfare benefits, and the rollout of Jobcentre Plus.

David stepped down as an MP after 28 years of parliamentary service. Following the Commons, he continued his public service in the House of Lords, while also being appointed Professor of Politics in Practice at the University of Sheffield and Chair of the Board of the University of Law.

As a speaker, David offers an insider’s perspective on the political landscape, speaking with authority on leadership, managing change, social responsibility, and the benefits of diversity alongside his personal lessons in overcoming adversity. He is also a warm, revealing after-dinner speaker with an extensive fund of anecdotes from Labour’s years in power and life inside Westminster.

David maintains an active portfolio of policy interests, including social mobility, cybersecurity, and education. He serves across several charitable organisations and holds a longstanding commitment to citizenship education and the wellbeing of young people.

Mark Yorke

Mark Yorke is the Co-Founder of Tablet Academy Ltd. (TA Education) and the newly established charity. Future Ready Foundation.

TA Education are recognised for supporting thousands of teachers, schools, and ministries of education to transform education through technology. With over a decade of experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, Mark has dedicated his career to ensuring that all learners—regardless of background—are equipped with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Driven by a deep belief that future-readiness should be a right, not a privilege, Mark also co-founded Future Ready Foundation, a charity focused on closing the digital divide and empowering young people with the competencies needed for tomorrow’s economy.

Across his work, Mark brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, educational insight, and a passion for social impact. At Tablet Academy, he has overseen projects that introduce emerging technologies—such as AI, immersive learning, and digital skills development — into classrooms across the UK and beyond, working with partners such as UNESCO, Microsoft, Intel, Adobe, and Google. Through the Future Ready Foundation, he is expanding this mission with a strong focus on equity, inclusion, and long-term societal benefit.

Rob Aubry

Rob is a distinguished leader in Paralympic sport, serving as the Head Coach of the Great Britain Paralympic Swimming Team. Under his guidance, the team achieved unprecedented success, including their best performance in 40 years at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Rob’s focus on personalised training, athlete welfare, and performance innovation, solidifying Great Britain’s dominance in Paralympic swimming.

Beyond coaching, Rob is an accomplished performance consultant, collaborating with a diverse range of organisations such as the British Army, Mars, Royal Marines, and British Surfing. His consulting work spans human performance enhancement, the integration of adaptive sports strategies, and the creation of elite performance environments. Additionally, his contributions to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have helped shape policies on sport and disability inclusion.

Rob holds board positions with Boccia UK and World Para-Swimming, where he plays a crucial role in advancing the Paralympic movement. His leadership also extends to his role as a governor at the Deaf Academy in Exmouth, where he contributes to the governance and strategic direction.