DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN NO-ONE'S LOOKING
MEET OUR TEAM
"We believe that truly authentic leaders can change lives."
Our mission is to train, develop and resource values-driven leaders who are equipped to lead authentically across every sector of modern society.
Drawing on 75 years of combined experience across Elite Sport, Psychology, Health, Education and Business, our mentors bring a lived experience and expertise in the “art and science of leadership” to provide you with the right insight, network and tools to support you as you progress.
Dan Harris
Founder
Dan has 25 years of leadership experience working across a range of roles within Professional Football. Having initially studied Sports Science at Loughborough University, Dan went on to join the coaching staff at Championship side Coventry City before moving into the Premier League as part of the first team staff at both Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Alongside his work with leadership teams in clubs, Dan had the opportunity to work as part of the coaching setup with the England Youth Teams supporting International squads as they prepared for European Championship competition. In 2009 Dan joined the staff at Champions League side Glasgow Celtic where he spent two seasons working with the Senior men’s side. Following his time in Scotland, Dan was approached to be part of the senior leadership team at a new startup franchise in Seoul, South Korea working with sportswear giant “New Balance” to help build a “football club from scratch…” After almost four years in Asia, Dan returned to the UK with his family and has recently completed a five-year spell as Academy Manager at Oxford United. Dan is a UEFA Pro Licence Coach; holds a post-graduate degree from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and an additional post-graduate diploma in Management from the University of Portsmouth. Away from work, Dan has been married to his wife Katie, a professional folk musician, for twenty-one years; they have three teenage children and are currently based in Oxfordshire.
Niall McWilliams
Senior Executive Leadership Consultant
Niall is a Senior Leader with over 35 years of leadership experience across the education and private sectors. A highly qualified teacher, Niall went on to become executive headteacher at a number of challenging secondary schools leading senior leadership teams who were able to significantly enhance the outcomes and attainment for young people in every setting he worked in. Having also worked in an Academy scouting capacity for Premier League side Aston Villa, 2017 saw Niall appointed as Managing Director at Oxford United where he led the Senior Management team of the club through a period of significant change at board level and across the club. With significant experience working with local; national and international stakeholders, Niall has recently moved into the role of Senior Strategy Officer at the club with specific responsibility for managing the complex negotiations and planning for the multi-million pound new stadium project. Niall joined Underdog Leadership as our Senior Executive Consultant in 2023 and works with our Senior and Aspiring Leaders with a specific focus on people management and leading organisational change.
Joshua Anifowose
Young Leaders Mentor
Joshua is an outstanding young leader who works as part of the Mentorship team on our New Leaders Training Programme. Having started his football career in the Academy at Fulham, Joshua moved on to earn a scholarship with Oxford United where he captained a successful Youth Team as a dynamic, goal-scoring midfielder; completed a BTEC in Elite Sport Performance and started on his own coaching journey mentoring young players in the clubs’ pre-Academy and RTC programme. Joshua’s achievement in the Academy saw him earn a senior debut in August 2021 in the EFL trophy v Cambridge United and saw him feature again later in the competition in his sides’ 3-2 win against a young Tottenham Hotspur side. A young man of high character, Joshua featured in BT Sports award-winning “South of River” Documentary in 2022 where his football journey; work in the community and support for young people was once again highlighted marking him out as a high-calibre future leader.
Dr Duncan Harris
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Harris has worked across a range of mental health and specialist services in the NHS, charity and private sectors. He has managed and led multidisciplinary clinical teams and is an accredited professional supervisor to trainee psychologists. Following his Undergraduate and Masters studies in Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology at the University of Exeter, Dr Harris completed his professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Essex. He now works as an independent Clinical Psychologist offering therapy for a broad range of psychological needs. He is also an Expert Witness within the Judiciary system, specialising in the assessment of couple and family relationships. His interventions help individuals, couples, children and families add to their understanding of the roles they often feel pulled to take up as individuals and within interactions with others. HCPC registered and a member of the British Psychological Society, Dr Harris joined the Underdog Leadership team in 2023 and works with our clients to prepare them for the multi-faceted challenge of authentic leadership. Away from work, Duncan has two children; likes canoeing and hiking; plays in a ukulele group and enjoys golf.