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Meet the Pop'n'Olly Team
Jack Lynch (They/Them)
- Co-Director and CEO
Jack is an educator specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and particularly in LGBT+ inclusive education. They have worked with thousands of schools and educators across the UK to support them in creating more LGBT+ inclusive environments as well as having delivered workshops to over 100,000 primary age children.
Jack is also a regular speaker and panellist on the topic of LGBT+ education, as well as having authored numerous resources and articles on the topic that have been published across national and industry publications. Jack is also a co-author of ‘Fairy Tale Town’ (Pop’n’Olly, 2026).
Jack is an educator specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and particularly in LGBT+ inclusive education. They have worked with thousands of schools and educators across the UK to support them in creating more LGBT+ inclusive environments as well as having delivered workshops to over 100,000 primary age children.
Jack is also a regular speaker and panellist on the topic of LGBT+ education, as well as having authored numerous resources and articles on the topic that have been published across national and industry publications. Jack is also a co-author of ‘Fairy Tale Town’ (Pop’n’Olly, 2026).
Mel Lane (She/Her)
- Co-Director & Head of Education
Mel brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to her role as Head of Education, having been a primary school teacher and teacher trainer for nearly 30 years. She has worked in schools on LGBT+ Inclusion with thousands of children, teachers and school staff.
Mel has built an unrivaled reputation for LGBT+ inclusive education training; inspiring those she works with and providing tangible, actionable support that empowers schools and learning environments to create safe, inclusive spaces for all students and staff.
"My biggest aim is to help children feel good about themselves and their families. When children feel supported and happy to be themselves, they are more likely to learn and grow in confidence. Schools play a pivotal role in supporting children and teachers can make a huge difference with small actions. When we promote inclusion, we send a message to all children that they are valued just as they are.”
Mel is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Mel brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to her role as Head of Education, having been a primary school teacher and teacher trainer for nearly 30 years. She has worked in schools on LGBT+ Inclusion with thousands of children, teachers and school staff.
Mel has built an unrivaled reputation for LGBT+ inclusive education training; inspiring those she works with and providing tangible, actionable support that empowers schools and learning environments to create safe, inclusive spaces for all students and staff.
"My biggest aim is to help children feel good about themselves and their families. When children feel supported and happy to be themselves, they are more likely to learn and grow in confidence. Schools play a pivotal role in supporting children and teachers can make a huge difference with small actions. When we promote inclusion, we send a message to all children that they are valued just as they are.”
Mel is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Olly Pike (He/Him)
- Founder & Non-Executive Director
Olly Pike is the founder of Pop'n'Olly, starting the initiative on YouTube in 2012 before establishing it as a company in 2019 and transitioning it to a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2025. Building Pop'n'Olly has been a dream fulfilled for Olly, and after serving as CEO, he now serves as a Non-Executive Director, proud to see the organisation continue its mission in exceptional hands.
Drawing on his background in theatre and children’s television, Olly created, wrote, illustrated, and animated Pop'n'Olly's multi-award-winning videos and children's books to combat homophobia and transphobia before they can develop. His work has reached millions globally, with over 40,000 books distributed worldwide - including 15,000 donated directly to UK primary schools to foster diversity and inclusion.
Olly's content is widely used by schools, charities, and organisations as a cornerstone of LGBT+ inclusive practice. A prominent voice in LGBT+ education, his advocacy has earned numerous accolades, including an Attitude Pride Award, a high commendation at the 2024 Bank of London Rainbow Honours, and inclusion on the Pride Power List. He has also been shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards, Gay Times Honours, and the British LGBT Awards.
Olly has addressed Parliament, London City Hall, the Children's Media Conference, and the National Education Union’s LGBT+ Conference. Beyond Pop'n'Olly, he has created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, and Hopster TV, and collaborated with organisations like Apple and Microsoft, leaving a lasting legacy in LGBT+ inclusive education.
Olly Pike is the founder of Pop'n'Olly, starting the initiative on YouTube in 2012 before establishing it as a company in 2019 and transitioning it to a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2025. Building Pop'n'Olly has been a dream fulfilled for Olly, and after serving as CEO, he now serves as a Non-Executive Director, proud to see the organisation continue its mission in exceptional hands.
Drawing on his background in theatre and children’s television, Olly created, wrote, illustrated, and animated Pop'n'Olly's multi-award-winning videos and children's books to combat homophobia and transphobia before they can develop. His work has reached millions globally, with over 40,000 books distributed worldwide - including 15,000 donated directly to UK primary schools to foster diversity and inclusion.
Olly's content is widely used by schools, charities, and organisations as a cornerstone of LGBT+ inclusive practice. A prominent voice in LGBT+ education, his advocacy has earned numerous accolades, including an Attitude Pride Award, a high commendation at the 2024 Bank of London Rainbow Honours, and inclusion on the Pride Power List. He has also been shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards, Gay Times Honours, and the British LGBT Awards.
Olly has addressed Parliament, London City Hall, the Children's Media Conference, and the National Education Union’s LGBT+ Conference. Beyond Pop'n'Olly, he has created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, and Hopster TV, and collaborated with organisations like Apple and Microsoft, leaving a lasting legacy in LGBT+ inclusive education.
Dr Alex Canning (They/Them)
- Education Consultant & Advisor
Alex is a university student passionate about maths and physics. They work alongside their mother (Mel) and Dorset's LGBT+ youth charity Space Youth Project, to deliver staff training and workshops in schools for students aged 4 - 18.
Alex is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Alex is a university student passionate about maths and physics. They work alongside their mother (Mel) and Dorset's LGBT+ youth charity Space Youth Project, to deliver staff training and workshops in schools for students aged 4 - 18.
Alex is a co-author of Pop'n'Olly's book 'What Does LGBT+ Mean?'
Pop (He/Him)
- Chief Executive Balloon & Head of Inflation
Pop is the friendly, blue balloon sidekick to Olly. Or maybe Olly is the sidekick to Pop? Either way they both star in a number of videos on their awesome YouTube channel.
Pop is fun and silly but he also likes to learn about all the amazing and different people in our world. Sometimes Olly teaches Pop and sometimes Pop teaches Olly because everyone knows something you don't!
Pop is the friendly, blue balloon sidekick to Olly. Or maybe Olly is the sidekick to Pop? Either way they both star in a number of videos on their awesome YouTube channel.
Pop is fun and silly but he also likes to learn about all the amazing and different people in our world. Sometimes Olly teaches Pop and sometimes Pop teaches Olly because everyone knows something you don't!
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