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Meet the Pop'n'Olly Team
Olly Pike (He/Him)
- Co-Director & CEU (Chief Executive Unicorn)
Olly Pike is the creator of the multi-award-winning education company Pop'n'Olly, where he produces inclusive videos and children's books that combat homophobia and transphobia before it can develop. Drawing on his background in theatre and children’s television, Olly writes, illustrates, and animates content that is both fun and informative. His work has reached millions globally, and his company has distributed over 30,000 books worldwide, including 12,000 donated to UK primary schools to promote diversity and equality.
Olly's content is widely used by schools, charities, and organisations as part of their LGBT+ inclusive practice. A regular panellist and media guest on LGBT+ education, his activism has earned numerous accolades, including an Attitude Pride Award. Olly has also been shortlisted for prestigious honours such as the National Diversity Awards, Gay Times Honours, and the British LGBT Awards. He was also highly commended in 2024 at the Bank of London's Rainbow Honours and has appeared on the Pride Power List.
Olly has spoken at Parliament, London City Hall, and conferences such as The Children's Media Conference and The National Education Union’s LGBT+ Conference. He has also created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, Hopster TV, and collaborated with numerous companies including Apple and Microsoft, continuing to lead the way in LGBT+ inclusive education.
Olly Pike is the creator of the multi-award-winning education company Pop'n'Olly, where he produces inclusive videos and children's books that combat homophobia and transphobia before it can develop. Drawing on his background in theatre and children’s television, Olly writes, illustrates, and animates content that is both fun and informative. His work has reached millions globally, and his company has distributed over 30,000 books worldwide, including 12,000 donated to UK primary schools to promote diversity and equality.
Olly's content is widely used by schools, charities, and organisations as part of their LGBT+ inclusive practice. A regular panellist and media guest on LGBT+ education, his activism has earned numerous accolades, including an Attitude Pride Award. Olly has also been shortlisted for prestigious honours such as the National Diversity Awards, Gay Times Honours, and the British LGBT Awards. He was also highly commended in 2024 at the Bank of London's Rainbow Honours and has appeared on the Pride Power List.
Olly has spoken at Parliament, London City Hall, and conferences such as The Children's Media Conference and The National Education Union’s LGBT+ Conference. He has also created content for CBeebies, Tate Kids, Hopster TV, and collaborated with numerous companies including Apple and Microsoft, continuing to lead the way in LGBT+ inclusive education.
Jack Lynch (They/Them)
- Co-Director and Workshops & Training Lead
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 and 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?'
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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