David Kingsley is a multidisciplinary practitioner with extensive experience in youth engagement, safeguarding, and community advocacy. Having grown up in Southwest London on the periphery of the issues affecting many young people around him, he brings lived understanding and professional insight into the realities of serious youth violence, gang involvement, county lines, and knife crime. This perspective informs his commitment to prevention, early intervention, and safer communities. 

 

Earlier in his career, David gained cross-sector experience in the London Borough of Hackney, working concurrently within voluntary, local authority, and statutory healthcare settings to design and deliver initiatives for young people and families. His wider experience spans schools, youth centres, residential childcare, holiday programmes, youth projects, and employment support services, where he has delivered early intervention and youth support for over five years. 

 

He is currently pursuing an MSc in Criminal Psychology and Victimology at the University of Portsmouth and holds a Certificate of Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies and Childhood & Society from the University of Roehampton, alongside multiple qualifications in safeguarding, youth work, advocacy, employability, housing, county lines awareness, and Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG). He is also an accredited facilitator of the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) Parenting Programme and a certified Mental Health First Aider. In addition, he has completed training in Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and Online Harms, which he integrates into his trauma-informed practice. 

With a nuanced understanding of Drill music’s cultural landscape and its relationship with youth violence, David provides an informed and balanced perspective that bridges criminology, culture, and practice. He has acted as an Expert Witness for both Crown and Defence, analysing lyrical, visual, and linguistic material, much of which originates from urban music contexts, to ensure that meaning and intent are accurately interpreted within judicial settings. His work helps distinguish creative expression from criminal implication, contributing to more informed, culturally competent, and fair decision-making across the criminal justice system. 

 

David is deeply committed to improving outcomes for young people and creating safer, more inclusive communities. 

 

 

Jenna Ellis is a specialist in anti-trafficking, migration, transnational organised crime, countering violent extremism, and ethical global governance. Her work focuses on disrupting cycles of exploitation in conflict-affected and marginalised communities, guided by a strong commitment to human rights, survivor-centred practice, and global security. She brings expertise in policy analysis, qualitative research, trauma-informed approaches, and assessing digital exploitation risks, including those linked to emerging technologies such as AI. 

 

Jenna holds an MA in Anti-Trafficking, Organised Crime, Modern Slavery & Migration from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, graduating with distinction, and a BA in French, Spanish, Arabic, and Cultural & Linguistic Studies from Western Washington University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She also completed specialised training in internal displacement, conflict, and protection at the University of London, along with professional courses on County Lines, Cuckooing, and drill music through the University of Cambridge and the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC). 

 

She brings six years of practitioner experience, including work with the International Rescue Committee, supporting refugees, undocumented migrants, and survivors of trafficking and violent crime, as well as representing IFIMES at United Nations and NATO conferences. Jenna has published on organised crime in Central Asia, digital exploitation, and migration governance. A multilingual professional with working proficiency in French and Spanish, she works confidently across cultures and high-stakes environments, bringing an inclusive and collaborative leadership style focused on equity, systemic change, and meaningful impact. 

 

 

Rachel Dimond is a digital marketing strategist and CEO of My Yard Charity using food as a tool to respond to, and understand the triggers to high levels of youth violence, substance misuse within estates in Harrow and Barnet. Her work centres on building trusted digital networks that inspire action and bring people together, alongside in person activities and practical support. 

 

Drawing on her background in marketing and using SNA and visualisation techniques she strives to understand how people connect, communicate, and respond (or not) to calls to action and where there are barriers. She has been commissioned by various organisations including the NHS, Public Health, and Housing Associations to help them understand the journey of demographics they have historically struggled to reach. Her work provides a fuller picture of people’s lives and the circumstances behind disengagement, offering evidence to inform more effective and responsive policy and practice. 

 

Rachel’s doctorate research thesis posed the question: “How can a digital marketing-informed map illuminate the intricate digital behaviours and motivations that fuel urban street gang involvement in London?” Her research uses Netnography as a method to learn how young people navigate or become influencers and creators and the importance fan power. Also exploring the grey areas where many are lurking but not accounted for. She believes using a marketing lens can provide context and understanding and building blocks for the multiple stakeholders to review the way digital platforms and their features mirror or open doors to actual gang involvement.