Our Support Team
Lindsay Arthur
Organiser
Lindsay, based in Manchester, was motivated to bring a TEDx event to the city that champions and nurtures local, diverse speakers eager to share their unique ideas and stories.
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With a background in healthcare, Lindsay is also a passionate advocate for the creative industries, spanning art, film, and video games.
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Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Andy Coley
Co-Organiser
Andy is a Leadership Development Trainer and Author of Leadership is a Skill as well as being an award-winning TEDx Speaker (The Speaker Awards).
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He is passionate about supporting people to share their stories from stage and is very much looking forward to supporting Lindsay and the rest of the team in bringing TEDxNorthernQuarter to the streets of Manchester.
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You can view Andy's TEDx talk at :
https://leadershipisaskill.com/andyctedx
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Andy is also a highly experienced trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and works with a range of businesses from Computer Games companies, to Charities through to Healthcare organisations.
Josh Strife Hayes
Event MC
Josh Strife Hayes is a British content creator, actor, and gaming commentator renowned for his insightful and entertaining analysis of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).
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Josh brings a unique blend of theatrical flair and critical acumen to his work. His YouTube channel, established in 2017, has garnered a substantial following for series like "Worst MMO Ever?" where he explores and critiques various online games, combining humour with in-depth commentary.​
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Beyond his digital presence, Josh is an experienced stage performer and Dungeon Master, skills that translate seamlessly into his role as a Master of Ceremonies. His ability to engage audiences, coupled with his passion for storytelling and community building, makes him an ideal host for our TEDx event.
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Ruby Sweeney
Event Operations
Ruby is the founder and director of The Events Hub, a UK-based events consultancy she established in 2011 after a decade in the industry.
She has over 20 years of experience, specialising in designing and delivering strategic B2B events for clients across sectors such as tech, innovation, finance, academia, and publishing.
A passionate advocate for female entrepreneurship and empowerment, Ruby is also a founding partner of the Space Network and serves as a board member in various organisations.
She has been recognised for her leadership, including being shortlisted for the Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Jon Torrens
Head Speaker Coach
I’m an introvert. I studied art and design, then graphic design, got a job as a video game level designer, fell in love with performing stand-up comedy, became a full-time stand-up, didn’t become a star and so gave it up, went back to games and started a family.
While working at a games company I saw a really bad presentation and realised that all the writing and performance skills I’d learnt as a stand-up needed to be put to good use. I decided that things needed to change. If an introvert like me can do it, then I think anyone can transform into a confident communicator.
In 2013 I set up my own coaching business, working with groups in Cambridge and London. After much hard work I have flourished, having found my place in the world. Clever me, eh?
Elliot Kay
Speaker Coach
Elliot Kay is the CEO of the Speaker Awards and Summit, and a leading expert in impactful leadership communication.
With a career focused on helping speakers and leaders communicate with authenticity and influence, Elliot empowers professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and connection.
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A passionate advocate for speaking as a tool for leadership and legacy, he has supported executives and thought leaders across sectors to elevate their voice and impact. Elliot’s work champions integrity, service, and the transformative power of spoken word.
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Steve Payne
Speaker Coach
Steve Payne is a professional speaker, performance coach, actor, and founder of the Academy of Coaching and Training. He is a member of the training and accreditation panel for the Association for NLP and specialises in leadership, communication, and personal growth.
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Trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Steve spent over a decade acting in theatre, radio, and film, with appearances in many of the UK’s best-loved TV series. He has directed and written for award-winning film projects and co-authored the acclaimed book My 31 Practices.
His clients include leading global brands such as IBM, Cisco, RayBan, and IKEA, and he was recently shortlisted for Best TEDx Speaker at the 2024 Speaker Awards in London.
