Nigel Gann trained as a teacher and worked in secondary community education to headteacher level. He has been Research Fellow at Leicester and Southampton Universities, and consultant to the BBC Open University on two series of programmes. In 1986, he became first General Manager of a unique community centre managed by local people, providing education, social welfare and leisure facilities. Since 1989 he has run his own consultancy, working with local authorities, voluntary organizations and schools. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.