Staff team
London Play has a small and dynamic staff team, with extensive experience in playwork and campaigning for children's rights.
To find out more about working for London Play, please visit the London Play jobs section.
Chief Executive: Dr Ute Navidi
Dr Ute Navidi became director of London Play in November 2004.
As director, Ute is charged with the strategic development of the organisation, as well as overseeing the management of this small but busy organisation. Ute works with partners in the local areas, as well as regional and national government, to promote the right of all children and young people in London to play.
Before joining London Play, Ute had extensive experience working in policy development and children's rights. Most recently, Ute was Head of UK Policy for ChildLine, the children's telephone helpline, following positions as Research & Policy Officer with the disability charity Scope, Equal Opportunities Officer with MSF-Amicus trade union, and as a university lecturer on public policy. Ute has a PHD in political sociology, and maintains links with academia as a visiting research fellow at London South Bank University, and a research writer at Thomas Coram Research Unit.
Ute has contributed to work surrounding legislation as diverse as the Sexual Offences Bill (now enacted), the Disability Rights Commission, and the children's commissioner, and gives verbal and written evidence for a variety of public and social policy consultations and initiatives. She is a member of various coalitions and government advisory groups, including the external reference group to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Children. Ute has also been a consultant on various research projects and media campaigns, working with the BBC and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to name but a few.
Leading London Play brings together Ute's experience and enthusiasm to ensure the health and well-being of all London's under 18's.
Staff team
Contact details for general enquiries are given on the contact page. For specific enquiries, staff members' direct lines are listed below. Email addresses are firstname@londonplay.org.uk.
- Dr Ute Navidi, Chief Executive: 020 7272 2464
- Pat Connolly, Finance & Admin Manager: 020 7272 2464
- Liz Mobayed, Team Administrator: 020 7272 2464
Information Service
- Anne McLaughlin, Information Worker: 020 7272 6759
- Tim Sheehan, Communications Officer: 020 7272 6759
Play Development / Natural Play Project
- Alan Sutton, Play Development Team Manager: 020 7272 6759
Street Play Project
- Paul Hocker, Street Play Coordinator: 020 7272 6759
- Catherine Togut, Street Play Coordinator: 020 7272 6759
