Meet Jon: The CEO On A Mission To Put Wellbeing At The Forefront of Education

With over six years of wellbeing and social emotional learning support under our belts - and a rapidly growing team, we thought it time to (re)introduce ourselves!

We're kicking things off with Jon Ford, the CEO and co-founder of youHQ. As a parent and performance coach, with an interest in mindset psychology, Jon brings a unique perspective to the world of EdTech.

In his 'Meet the Team' interview, Jon reflects on the experiences that shaped his passion for emotional development. He shares his vision for supporting young people through proactive strategies and digital tools.

Where does your passion for education, safeguarding and wellbeing come from?

My passion for education and wellbeing comes from a deep-rooted drive to understand human performance and get the best out of myself. Growing up, I became obsessed with performance— particularly in sport, where I played competitive golf. I was fascinated by how some days I could be “in the zone” and others not, even with the same preparation. This curiosity led me down the path of sports psychology and, in particular, the power of goalsetting and mindset as tools for success.

As I learned more, I realised how these strategies could benefit not just athletes, but young people navigating life, learning, and emotional challenges. I wanted to share these tools in a way that felt empowering and accessible. That’s what led to the idea of creating a platform that could support young people in building self-awareness, setting meaningful goals, and developing agency.

A turning point came when I crossed paths with Jez, who suggested integrating a wellbeing tracker into the system. We saw instantly how powerful this could be in a school setting—supporting safeguarding, promoting emotional literacy, and giving students a voice. That’s how the journey into education technology began — and the rest, as they say, is history.

If you could wave a magic wand, what would it do linked to wellbeing and safeguarding?

If I could wave a magic wand, it would ensure that every young person is equipped with the skills, mindset, and emotional tools to live a meaningful, fulfilled life—not just succeed academically. I’ve always believed that education should go beyond grades; it should help students understand themselves, build resilience, and set goals that truly matter to them.

At the same time, the wand would also empower every teacher and school leader with the confidence and insight to support the young people in their care. I’d love to see a world where staff feel upskilled in emotional wellbeing and safeguarding—where they not only spot when something’s wrong but feel connected enough to step in early, build trust, and make a difference. Ultimately, it would create a culture where wellbeing isn’t an add-on, but the foundation for learning and life.

What’s one random fact most people don’t know about you?

I come from a sport driven family - my dad was a professional footballer player and my brother is a professional golfer.

Favourite Film:

Love Actually

Favourite Song:

Money for Nothing by Dire Straits

Any hobbies? What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?

I'm a very keen golfer and also love racket ball. I love the outdoors, the sea, and nature with my dogs.

Jon’s approach and ethos underscores the core values at the centre of youHQ: empowering students to understand themselves, set meaningful goals, and flourish. His belief in equipping young people with key personal life skills continues to guide our mission and shape our platform.

Want to meet with Jon? Book in a chat online to hear more about youHQ - or catch him at an in-person event soon! Keep an eye on our socials to see where he's headed next 🌍

We look forward to sharing more stories from team youHQ in future editions of this series.