At our 2026 Active Kent & Medway Conference, we will be hosting an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Expert Panel. To create an open, honest, thought-provoking discussion on the day, we invited conference delegates to submit questions to our expert panel, who bring a wealth of knowledge, insight and lived experience from across the EDI landscape.
Our Expert Panel
Chloe Brown, Activity Alliance
Chloe joined Activity Alliance in March 2025 as Strategic Partnership Advisor for East and South East. Prior to this, Chloe worked in disability sport at Sense and before that in sports development at an active partnership and county FA. She has also been involved in education and worked for The FA as a coach. Alongside her role at Activity Alliance, Chloe is also a girls academy manager at a professional football club. In her spare time, she enjoys going out for walks (especially with the dog) and the odd kick about.
Dr Christine Locke, Diversity House
Dr Christine Locke is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity House, a charity she established in 2007 to promote community cohesion, social inclusion and equality across Swale and Kent. Drawing on academic expertise in health, wellbeing and public health, alongside extensive experience in community development and health promotion, she leads advocacy, mentoring, youth and women’s programmes, cultural initiatives and skills development. A passionate advocate for equality, Christine challenges dismissive labels such as “hard to reach” and champions inclusive, culturally competent services. Her work ensures that underrepresented voices are heard, valued, and empowered, making Diversity House a vital hub for social cohesion, resilience, and opportunity in Kent.
Claire Grant, Thrive By The Sea
Claire is a Women’s Health Specialist, Level 4 Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Nutrition Network Practitioner with over 20 years’ experience supporting people to improve their health through movement, strength and metabolic wellbeing. She specialises in helping women through perimenopause and menopause to build confidence, mobility and strength, while also delivering community programmes across Kent that make physical activity more accessible to women, older adults and underrepresented communities, including culturally diverse groups such as the local Nepalese community. Claire is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people feel supported and empowered to take control of their health, whatever their age, culture, background or previous experience with exercise.
Clive Bassant, NHS Kent & Medway Forum
After studying accountancy, Clive spent most of his career in the information, advice and guidance sector, including as Chief Officer for Thanet and District Citizens Advice. He has also worked as a Disability Equality Trainer, Disability Discrimination Act trainer and quality management consultant. He is currently Community Liaison Engagement Officer for the Kent and Medway Wheelchair Service. Clive has held several voluntary roles, including Chair of the National Disabled Workers Group, Chair of the Kent Wide Disability Forum, member of the Medway Physical Disability Partnership Board and National Wheelchair Alliance, and Trustee of Red Zebra. He is currently Chair of Disability Assist’s Trustee Board. With over 55 years’ lived experience of disability, Clive has a strong understanding of the physical and attitudinal barriers disabled people face. As Chair, he aims to support effective governance and help ensure disabled people across Kent can access the information, advice and guidance they need.
Gabriella Rolls, Kent Cricket Foundation
Gabriella joined Kent Cricket Foundation as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer in July 2025, supporting its mission to make recreational cricket accessible to everyone. She helped establish Kent’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ cricket team and draws on her lived experience of wheelchair use and anxiety to create opportunities for disabled and neurodiverse people. Gabriella is also a disability activist, freelance trainer for Access Sport, co-chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Disabled Staff Network and an ambassador for the UP – Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement. A keen Boccia player, she is ranked number one in her category and is a current league and cup holder with her team.
