Who's Who
The Association of Play Industries has an Executive Committee which is chaired by our Independent Chair, Dr Amanda Gummer. The remaining Executive Officers and Vice Chair are voted into their posts bi-annually at our Annual General Meeting by the members of the API.
The Association is supported and managed by a dedicated team from within the Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA). The FSPA is a non-profit seeking organisation and has a long history of servicing the sports and play industries.
Dr Amanda Gummer
Passionate about children’s play, Amanda is a research psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience working with children and families. She is CEO of Fundamentally Children and Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide. Widely recognised for her expertise in play and child development, she has advised on children’s policy, presented internationally and is frequently called upon by the media for comment and interviews.
Mark Wood
With over 17 years’ experience in the play industry I have dedicated my career to creating high-quality, safe and inspiring play environments. I have proudly served on the Executive for the past seven years - including the last 12 months as Vice Chair - working to strengthen collaboration across our industry and champion standards that promote excellence and safety in play.
Director, PlaySmart UK
Member of the Finance, Constitution/Governance and Strategy/Lobbying Working Groups
Michael Hoenigmann
With over 30 years’ experience across the play industry, I have focused on creating high-quality, inclusive outdoor spaces that enhance the lives of children and strengthen communities. I am committed to representing the needs and perspectives of small independent companies, ensuring the Association delivers tangible, practical value for its members. I am also passionate about strengthening the evidence base for the social, physical and developmental benefits of outdoor play, helping the sector advocate with greater confidence and impact.
MD, Jupiter Play and Leisure Ltd
Member of the Marketing Working Group
Rob Baker
Joining the industry in 1990, I remain deeply passionate about delivering high-quality, inclusive and inspiring sports and play opportunities within a variety of environments. I joined the executive in 2015 because I wanted to utilise my experience to ensure that standards and quality of provision remain high, support campaigns that continue to raise the profile of good quality, free play provision and help safeguard the future of community facilities and our industry.
As part of my current responsibilities, I represent the API as board member of our umbrella organisation the Federation of Sports & Play Associations (FSPA) and since April 2023 I have served as Chair. My motivation is to ensure that the play sector is well represented (as well as sport) as we aim to share knowledge with other like-minded associations. Collectively the FSPA represents companies spanning the play, sporting goods and golf industries - a powerful force for lobbying and influencing future strategies.
MD, Proludic
Member of the Finance, Constitution/Governance and Strategy/Lobbying Working Groups
James Collis-Pritchard
I started in the industry in 2006. My background is as an Educational Psychologist and I work closely with schools and nurseries to design outdoor learning environments. There is nothing better than seeing a child’s face light up when they see their dream playground become a reality.
MD of Phoenix Play Ltd.
Steve Danby
Having been in the play industry since 1997, I have delivered from concept to completion over 1000 products and am responsible for overseeing thousands of installations. My company has been a member of the API for many years, and we have always thought of the API as a good point of contact for industry information. Being an executive member provides an opportunity to represent smaller organisations’ needs and support learning and knowledge where resources are much tighter.
MD, Playscheme
Member of the Education and Membership Working Groups
Mark Gornall
Having worked in the play and recreation industry for over two decades, I have developed extensive experience in the design and delivery of outdoor play and recreational environments. Throughout my career I have built a strong passion for promoting the value of play and the positive impact that well-designed outdoor spaces can have on communities, health and wellbeing. I remain passionate about promoting the value of play and outdoor recreation whilst supporting the API’s members and the sector.
Head of UK Sales, HAGS-SMP Ltd
Member of the Marketing Working Group
Gary Hall
I have worked in the industry for over 14 years within the surfacing sector. I work closely with customers and installations teams to ensure that their needs are met and that we deliver quality safety surfaces. My role on the Executive gives me the opportunity to contribute to the continuous advancement of the play industry, share my wealth of knowledge with API members and represent the interests of play providers across the UK.
MD, RTC Safety Surfaces Ltd
Member of the Technical Working Group
Katherine Perkins
I started my career in 1987 as a data entry clerk. I have built a career across every part of the business, from design and manufacturing to installation and customer service, culminating in my appointment to lead our business in 2020. This breadth of experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of both the challenges and opportunities across our industry.
I feel privileged to work in an industry that has such a positive impact on children’s lives, creating high-quality, inclusive play environments that support development, wellbeing and confidence. Being on the API Executive allows me to bring my experience and passion to champion high standards, support members and help shape a strong and sustainable future for the UK play industry.
MD, Wicksteed Leisure
Member of the Technical Working Group
Stuart Pettit
Joining the play industry as a designer in 2002, I quickly developed a passion for creating meaningful play and fitness environments. Working across design, manufacturing, installation and sales gave a complete understanding of how high-quality play spaces are created and delivered. I believe that play should always be research led and focused on improving outcomes for children, families and communities. Having worked across the full lifecycle of play environments, I am committed to raising industry standards and championing the vital role play has in tackling wider social challenges, supporting the API’s mission to create safer, more inclusive and more engaging play spaces nationwide.
MD, KOMPAN
Rob Speirs
Having moved into the play industry in 2025 my background is in tracking equipment for people working in hazardous areas – typically in the oil, gas and energy industries. My focus is to enable innovation within the business, providing new and exciting play to children. Joining the Executive will help me to champion the benefits of play for all children.
MD, Sutcliffe Play
Dallan Tan
I lead a team of creative and passionate professionals who are dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces into fun and engaging environments for children and adults alike. With 20 years’ experience in the landscape sector, I have developed a strong expertise which enables me to deliver high-quality products. With this experience I can help support the API and its members in providing transformational outdoor spaces.
MD, Venture Play
Member of the Education Working Group
Jon Dalton
As MD of The Play Inspection Company and a highly qualified Annual Inspector, with expertise in both Outdoor play areas & Indoor Soft Play. Through the highly regarded, the Play Inspection Company, I advise organisations and businesses who manage, and manufacture outdoor or indoor play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks and outdoor fitness equipment to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained, and mitigating risk for organisations responsible for these kinds of environment. Through training and inspection services, I am a leading voice in industry best practice. I am also Vice Chairman and Technical Director - Indoor of RPII and has been on the board since 2010. As a Technical Director, I works on an advisory basis to inform organisations about the latest standards and is also part of the examination boards for RPII qualifications.
I am on the committee of the BSI Standards Development SW/65 which is responsible for the UK input to CEN/TC and for the preparation of British Standards on planning, manufacture, testing, installation and maintenance of children’s playground equipment, and for outdoor fitness equipment.