Patrons
Martin Baker QPM
Martin is a founder of The Safeguarding Company, providing safeguarding case management software and services to schools, colleges and many other settings across the UK and in 57 countries around the globe. He is a former chief police officer whose 38-year career spanned five UK police forces, including significant spells in counter-terrorism in London and in homicide investigation.
As a chief officer, Martin was responsible for all aspects of safeguarding and child protection and managed the risks posed by violent and sexual offenders living in the community. His most recent policing role was as Chief Constable of Dorset Police.
In 2006 he was awarded HM The Queen’s Medal for Distinguished Police Service (QPM). Martin is an experienced school governor in both primary and upper schools and he is currently Chair of a multi-academy trust in Dorset.
Erin Kennedy, MBE
Coxswain GB Rowing Team
Erin Kennedy MBE is a coxswain with the GB Rowing Team and is a Paralympic Champion, three-time World and European European Champion, World Record Holder and two-time World Cup Winner. She is the first and only coxswain, male or female to hold all international titles at one time.
Erin began rowing whilst at Oxford University and competed in the 2014 Boat Race, steering the Blue Boat to a record victory. Erin steered the crew to victory in the postponed 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo and was awarded an MBE for services to Rowing in the 2022 New Years’ Honours List.
She returned to the GB Team to train for the 2024 Paris Games, and whilst showering on training camp in Italy in May 2022, found a lump on her left breast. A week after returning from camp, she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer aged 29 and the following day, flew to Serbia to compete at the Rowing World Cup, where she won a Gold medal just four days after she was diagnosed.
Erin began chemotherapy in July, continuing to train with the team and in August, she was selected to compete at the 2022 European Championships in Munich and won gold. She completed 15 rounds of chemotherapy and in January 2023, had a double mastectomy. She returned for the European Championships in May 2023 and won gold exactly a year to the day she was diagnosed.
Since her diagnosis, Erin has used her platform to spread awareness of Breast Cancer in young women and the importance of checking regularly. She has shared every step of her story, from fertility preservation to chemotherapy and surgery and is a patron of the charity
Coppafeel! who she credits for her early diagnosis.
Erin has been featured on most major news outlets from Sky to the BBC and ITV to international channels such as CNN. In particular, she has been very open on social media, documenting her experiences with cancer and encouraging others to do the same and to de-stigmatise cancer and chemotherapy. Last October, for breast cancer awareness month, Erin ran a Changing Room Sticker Campaign, where she encouraged clubs, schools and sports teams to sign up to receive free shower stickers raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Over 4000 organisations now have shower stickers up thanks to her.
Even before her breast cancer diagnosis, Erin was an exceptional individual in her sport and has raised the bar on what was possible for a coxswain. She is one of Great Britain's most decorated coxswains and currently the only female competing internationally for GB. She remains unbeaten internationally and has been so since 2018. Erin was selected in every GB race last year, despite starting the season with 9 rounds of chemotherapy left to complete and a double mastectomy on the horizon. Her boat has qualified for the Paris 2024 Games and her aim to retain her title at the Games next year.