Five Days That Changed What Students Believe Is Possible
From AI beginners to confident creators: how the AI Activator is preparing the next generation for an AI-enabled future.
About Gavin
Gavin founded GoodShip* to bring good people, good ideas and useful technology together around work that can make a genuine difference.
With more than three decades across digital, creative, technology and business, he works across strategy, ideas, product development, community building and delivery. He is particularly interested in what happens when you connect people who would not ordinarily work together and give them something meaningful to solve.
Gavin created AI Activator and leads much of GoodShip*'s work around innovation, education, purpose and impact.
Programme direction for AI Activator, product development for OneDock, and the Navigate collaboration with Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
What Gavin brings to the ship*
- Creative
- Development
- Community
- Education
- Marketing
- AI Activator
- Leadership
Sector experience
- Education & Skills
- Technology & Innovation
- Health & Life Sciences
- Business & Professional Services
- Creative Industries
- Public Sector
What they’re working on
- AI ActivatorProgramme development and strategic direction.
- OneDockProduct and platform development.
- NavigateStrategic collaboration with Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
Activations
- AI ActivatorCreated / Programme Lead
- KinShipCo-host / Founder
- OneDockProduct direction
- NavigateStrategic collaboration lead
Stories by Gavin
From Concept to Impact: Designing the Liverpool Innovation and Impact Awards Visual Identity
A story of collaboration, culture, and creativity, crafting a distinctive visual identity for the Liverpool Innovation and Impact Awards.
Navigate Together: Reflecting on Momentum, Community, and What Comes Next
Navigate reflects on its early momentum in Liverpool, bringing people together through community, collaboration, and shared ambition, while shaping a stronger ecosystem for founders and innovators.
The AI Activator Returns: Expanding Impact Across Liverpool’s Startup and Third Sector Ecosystem
GoodShip* and Liverpool John Moores University continue the AI Activator, focused on startups, data, and rapid impact across the Liverpool City Region.
Before GoodShip*
30+ years
Digital, creative and technology work across agencies, products and businesses.
Agency leadership
Leading teams delivering strategy, creative and technology programmes.
Start-ups & products
Building, launching and commercialising digital products.
Public & private sector
Digital projects across universities, healthcare, sport and economic development.
30+ years across digital and technology. Agency leadership. Start-up and product work. Public and private-sector digital projects.
In their words.
What do you give a ship* about?
Work that leaves people more capable than it found them.
What's a question you keep coming back to?
What are you actually trying to make better?
Want to work with Gavin or the GoodShip* team?
Start with what you’re trying to make better. We’ll ask questions from there.
More of the crew.
All people
Matt Littler
Immersive & Film
Shipmate
Matt works where storytelling, film and immersive technology meet.
Profile- Immersive
- Film
Mike Bailey
Motion & AI Video
Shipmate
Mike brings ideas to life through motion, animation, video and emerging AI creative tools.
Profile- Motion
- AI Video
Sam Whelan
Health & Innovation
Shipmate
Sam brings specialist experience across health, medicine, wellbeing and innovation.
Profile- Health
- Medical
- Wellbeing
- Innovation
Abubakr Abdulraheem
Innovation & Growth Associate
Crew
Abu helps turn GoodShip* ideas into things people can actually use.
Profile- Development
- AI
- Community
- AI Activator