Whilst at school in Cardiff in the 80s and 90s, Slade became the longest-serving presenter of the cult BBC 1 network children's TV magazine programme, Why Don't You?
Davies used this early opportunity to weave a dramatic storyline into the various activities, games and 'makes' to make the programme more interesting and appealing and to improve its audience ratings.
Slade last appeared as a guest presenter on the final series directed by Trevor Stephenson-Long before pursuing a career in arts education and school leadership.
He was also a member of the HTV (now ITV1 Wales) Drama Workshop where he studied acting and performance with director Peter Wooldridge alongside contemporaries Jan Anderson and Hollywood star, Ioan Gruffudd.
Following graduation with a first-class honours degree and the Aneurin Davies Memorial Award for outstanding academic achievement from Cardiff Metropolitan University (a joint course with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) in 1998, Slade embarked on a successful career in teaching culminating in him becoming the youngest state secondary school Headteacher in the United Kingdom in 2007.
In 2012 Slade was appointed by Sir Chris Woodhead to the role of Executive Headteacher with Cognita the largest independent school group in the UK now owned by Jacobs Holding.
Ambassadors included Game of Thrones child star Bella Ramsey and Virgin Radio presenter Vassos Alexander.
It was designed to be delivered by education charity SkillForce in schools across England, Scotland and Wales from September 2017, and was the first character and resilience award programme for 6- to 14-year-olds.