Theme: It's The Little Things......

A truly inspirational event for TEDxBanbury, hosting a day of speakers and performers to bring insights and local ideas to share with Banbury town and beyond.

St Mary's Church
Horse Fair
Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 0AA
United Kingdom

Ally Kingston

Student

Student Speaker Ally Kingston,17, is currently studying Animal Management at Banbury and Bicester College, and has been developing a talk, which aims to change perceptions on many levels. Ally is a vibrant, charismatic and excitingly eloquent individual. As an outspoken, confident person with ASD, she has put herself in front of hundreds of people to speak about her experience growing up. Her intentions are always to ensure that people smile, that they laugh and are happy, and she goes about it in unexpected, unpredictable and delightful ways. Ally has joined her fellow speakers at recent rehearsals, and has certainly brought integrity and smiles to the sessions.

Anton Mozgovoy

FinTech Professional

Anton Mozgovoy, is a fintech specialist and former CTO of Humaniq. He started his career at the Bank of Montreal – working on Apple Pay & Android Projects. In 2015, he founded Finlyt, a company working on algorithmic installments, and revolving credits. Anton joined Humaniq in 2017, working on blockchain solutions to create a financial marketplace for start-ups. He currently serves as a mentor in FastCapital, responsible for tracking start-ups in fintech, blockchain and crypto spaces. Anton is also Head of Products at Jthereum. As a child, Anton grew up in the Crimea, where all his summers were spent diving. He is now an avid free diver, and enjoys the thrill of visiting a new country, new diving locations, meeting people, and above all the ‘feeling of the void when you dive deeper’. Favourite TED Talks: Tony Robbins - Why Do We Do What We Do Hans Rosling - The best You've Ever Seen

Aseem Bandali

Writer Dancer

As a London born Ugandan-Indian, Aseem considers himself lucky to be a rich blend of East & West, with roots in India, where he spent much of his childhood, as well as Africa and Europe. Coming from a lowly background, Aseem worked his way through a variety of jobs in building/construction, the Civil Service, hospitality/catering and the travel industry. Aseem finally began on a path which ultimately led him to a career in Social Care. As a qualified Social Worker, Aseem has supported vulnerable children and adults with physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities, and coordinated enquiries into institutional abuse and neglect. In 2014 Aseem took a career break and embarked on an adventure, 'Tangoing to Argentina in 80 days' to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK. Following his travels, Aseem continues to enjoy Tango at every opportunity, while working on his first book #mytangojourney.

Dave Earle

Champion Boxer & Trainer

Dave Earle, is head coach and owner of Spit'n'Sawdust, Banbury’s boxing stable and fitness club! Born in Leamington Spa, Dave is a former champion boxer and kickboxer, who is now an award winning youth leader, and a much respected member of the Banbury community. His Spit'n'Sawdust gym is known for the positive role it provides, and in particular it’s success in reshaping the lives of youths with ‘social issues’. Dave's work was recognised by his community, which led to him being voted the Leader/Volunteer of the year at the Cherwell Sports Awards in 2012, and also bestowed him the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch for the London 2012 Olympic Games. His talk will be inspirational!

Jason Kattenhorn

Artist

With a background in illustration, design and print, Jason (He/Him, They/Them) currently supports both local and international LGBTQ+ artists as founder of Sassify Magazine. A Not-For– Profit queer culture print magazine and online features website that luxuriates in LGBTQ+ art from both established and up and coming LGBTQ+ artists who are at the forefront of what we do to advocate for meaningful change and education through art. Having travelled across Japan and South Korea to interview and collaborate with a plethora of LGBTQ+ people, Jason has seen the magazine receive a shortlist for the Best Use of Illustration award at the Stack awards in 2018. Most recently Jason was nominated for a Diversity Award at the National Diversity awards 2019 and won a Castle Quay community award for volunteer of the year 2019. Outside of Sassify, Jason is an avid Northern Soul fan & dancer and has danced for film and TV.

Karen Irvani

Autism Professional

Karen is mother to a wonderful 20 year old young man with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism)/ADHD/Tic) Disorder. He has revolutionised her life (and profession!). Formerly, Karen was an Account Director in Marketing Communications and Public Relations predominantly for Health, IT, Property and Transport sectors. She is now an esteemed autism professional & active Christian. In 2012, She founded Parents Talking Asperger’s (PTA), now a Community Interest Company, which is an autism social enterprise organisation that provides emotional and practical support to empower children and young people with autism at home, in education, the workplace and in the community. "Autism means being wired differently, not “wrongly”... Although primarily for families living in or around Banbury, north Oxfordshire, Karen and her Co-Director Lisa Bhanu have now established a PTA Witney in west Oxfordshire, and online, supporting families nationwide and overseas.

Liz Dixon

Sculptural Artist

Liz is a predominantly self-taught artist, having originally trained as an engineer. She worked in both the Defence & Automotive industries for 26 years before taking the leap to change career when she discovered textile sculpture in 2011. Since then, Liz has exhibited at a number of galleries across the UK & has taken part in Oxfordshire Art Weeks, Warwickshire Open Studios & the South Northamptonshire Art Trail. ‘My art is inspired by the recycled materials around me – some found, some donated, some sourced for a specific task. Textiles & texture are the common themes running through each unique piece, with designs growing organically as each theme is developed’. ‘By looking at the world specifically through the lens of shape, form & textural properties it is possible to incorporate everyday objects & textiles into my art in unexpected ways, finding that ‘just right’ item for each individual piece’.

Matthew Armitage

Engineer

Matthew has been the the director of the oldest continuously working boatyard in the United Kingdom since 2002. His personal journey to Tooley’s Boatyard is fascinating. Matthew has a background in archaeology, having been involved in excavations of many lost sites similar to Tooley’s. His passion for the waterways is deeply rooted. Matthew can boast seven generations of Thames watermen and lightermen in his family history, and he was taught boating skills by one of the last boating families. Tooley's boatyard has been under threat over the years and Matthew’s determination has kept the site from being lost to a static museum. The business has now changed to a trust and the site has been secured with a 150 year lease. A fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Matthew is also the designer and manufacturer of a new heavy duty, observatory based British telescope mount: ‘Astromount’, combining his passion for astronomy and engineering.

Simeon Courtie

Presenter

Simeon is a writer, communications trainer and experienced broadcaster. He’s presented national television and radio for over 20 years, from his Children’s BBC days in the 90s to hosting the All England BBC local radio evening show in 2018. He writes for Have I Got News For You and won the London Book Festival grand prize for his comedy travel memoir, The Long and Whining Road. He lives near Banbury and loves an escapade - he ran the Palestine Freedom of Movement marathon in 2019 and is running the Pyongyang marathon in North Korea in 2020. Favourite TED Talks: Hans Rosling - Global Population Growth - Box by Box Terry Moore - How To Tie Your Shoes