About Us

Karisma Kidz is an interactive brand, based on more than 20 years of research, that teaches children aged 3-9 to be happier and provides feedback to the whole family. Our mission is to strengthen parent child bonds to create a world in which children are empowered, well behaved and grow with happiness, confidence and creativity while parents engage with their little superheroes in a virtual world that links seamlessly with positive activities, toys and rewards in the real world. Meet the big superheroes behind Karisma Kidz here and download the Karisma Kids Moodville app so your little superhero can start learning through play.

Our Team

Erika Brodnock - Chief Superhero

Erika is the founder and CEO of Karisma Kidz. She is a highly sought-after and well-respected child confidence and emotional intelligence expert. She is the creator of several digital resources on themes including emotional and social learning, digital safety, and digital parenting education. She is Sky News’ resident child confidence expert and her seminars cover most areas of family life.

Dr Amanda Gummer - Super Psychologist & Co-founder

Amanda is a psychologist who specializes in play, parenting and child development, and has worked with families and children for nearly 20 years. She is also the driving force behind The Good Toy Guide, and invested in Karisma Kidz in 2013 after working with Erika on a market research project that revealed the astonishing popularity of our products among both children and parents.

Dr Kat Bruce - COO

Kat has a PhD in Genetics and has extensive experience of leading teams, including under challenging conditions such as deep in the Amazon rainforest. Kat previously worked as a programme manager at Wayra (Telefónica’s global start-up accelerator) and has joined the Karisma Kidz team to help structure and organize the business as it grows.

Chris Cookson - Digital Strategist

Chris acts as the bridge between the business and the technology. He is a seasoned business analyst with over 14 years’ experience in the IT industry, and has worked for companies in many sectors across Europe and Africa. Customers include lastminute.com and Hewlett Packard.

Maciej Mikulski - Lead Developer

Maciej is a highly experienced web and android developer, with strong management skills and a good deal of prior experience working with startups. He is passionate about game development and is owner of Sparklab.pl, an e-marketing and web development studio.

Ruth Edwards - Rockstar Ruth

Ruth has worked in the music industry for over 10 years. A well-known songwriter and Licensing Manager for companies including EMI, her merchandise and physical product experience includes account and project management from initial concept through to completion.

Electra Zografou - Software Developer

Electra holds an Msc in Computer Science with a focus on Digital Media. She has previously worked in the computer software industry, specialising in Human Capital Management, and in a medical company.

Chloe Elton - Digital Marketing

Chloe graduated from the University of Hertfordshire, where she studied Event Management. While at university, Chloe managed events and volunteered as a Front of House Assistant at the University of Hertfordshire Arts theatre. She recently completed The Prince’s Trust Get into Technology programme with Accenture.

Sue Pope - Product Developer

Sue is a Product Development Manager specializing in the toy market who has worked with retailers, manufacturers and distributors since 1987. Her track-record includes positions with the Early Learning Centre and, more recently, Trends UK Ltd, as well as diverse projects undertaken whilst running her own company, Product Matters.

Michael Gottlieb - Chief in Licensing

Michael cut his merchandising teeth with Warner Bros Consumer Products working on the Batman the Movie campaign generating over one billion dollars at retail. More recently he relaunched Sooty covering Toys, Clothing, Publishing and Jewellery.

Mentors & Advisors

Sue Atkins - Parenting Extraordinaire

Sue is a writer, speaker, broadcaster, and parenting coach. She is the author of Raising Happy Children for Dummies and highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs and Workbooks. Sue regularly appears on the This Morning show on ITV and BBC breakfast television offering support and advice to parents in a simple and practical way.

Rupert Findlay

Rupert is a non-executive director of Karisma Kidz and an entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience of running his own business. He has achieved two trade exits to date, both within the retail/apparel space, and is currently focused on scaling his latest venture, Miioon.com

Nick Johnson

Nick is a commercial director with significant fast-moving consumer goods experience gained in world-leading companies. Nick currently works for Unilever as Category Strategy and Business Operations Director, having previously been Sales Director for Birds Eye and holding senior commercial positions with P&G and Gillette.

Chris Taylor

Chris was co-founder of Origin Products Limited, the inventors and brand developers for the Polly Pocket brand. He is currently Director of Fuse London Ltd, one of the leading children’s brand development companies. Chris has been involved in building up a large chain of retail stores that was taken to a PLC flotation, and owned one of Europe’s leading music recording studios.

Ben Dimson

Ben has an MA in Economics and Management from Oxford University and an MBA from the London Business School. He previously worked as a Manager for Accenture and now works as a Strategy Executive for British Land, where he runs strategy, investment, finance and organizational change projects for the CEO, Executive Committee and Non-Executive Board. He created a payroll scheme that has won HM Government Gold and Platinum Awards.