ABOUT
What is TEDxAberdeen?
Our story started in 2021, when we hosted our first TEDxAberdeen event with 10 speakers and 100 guests at the Aberdeen Arts Centre – a full day filled with connection and big ideas. In 2022 event centred on ‘Movement’ and attracted people from near and far to be inspired and discover world-changing ideas. In 2024, we returned after a rest year with a packed event focusing on the theme of ‘identity’.
About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organised events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organised TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.
About TED
TED is a nonprofit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.
About the TEDxAberdeen Team
Moray Barber
TEDxAberdeen Licencee
Moray is the licence holder for TEDxAberdeen and has overall responsibility for each event and ensures they live up to the TEDx brand. He is a proud Aberdonian serving as a Burgess of the City. He is Office Managing Partner and Head of Tax at EY Aberdeen and is passionate about championing North East Scotland as a place to live and work.
Jill Simpson
Marketing Lead
Jill is responsible for the promotion of TEDxAberdeen managing social media, e-mail outreach, and press. She is a seasoned marketing and communications professional as a freelancer and working with charity Charlie House and previously at EY. She has supported the delivery of TEDxAberdeen since it's launch in 2021 and is a long term volunteer with Scouts Aberdeen.
Kim Stephen
Logistics Lead
Kim supports the logistics and operations of the TEDxAberdeen event from overseeing volunteers, partnerships and suppliers. She is Regional Director, UK and Ireland for Energy Industries Council and was previously Head of Sales for P&J Live, the UK's most sustainable venue. She chairs the Local Advisory Board for Career Ready helping young people access the workplace.
Derrick Thomson
Curator + Speaker Coach
Derrick is the Curator for TEDxAberdeen and has responsibility for the speaker selection, preparation and final running order for the event. Derrick is a Co-founder and Director of AB15 delivering communication and storytelling training and Co-Founder of Our Union Street transforming Aberdeen City Centre. He was previously Managing Director for STV North.
Bob Keiller
Speaker Coach
Bob is a coach for speakers at TEDxAberdeen and will support the cohort to deliver compelling stories. Bob's own TEDx talk has been viewed over 180K times. He is a Co-Founder and Director of AB15 delivering storytelling training and Our Union Street looking to revitalise Aberdeen City Centre. He has previously been CEO of PSN, CEO of Wood Group, Chair of Scottish Enterprise.
Edward Pollock
Operations Lead
Edward supports the operational delivery of TEDxAberdeen from website and systems, to liaising with speakers, to digital support. Edward has been a TEDxAberdeen speaker in 2024 and bringsthe speaker perspective to planning. He is Startup Programme Manager at the Net Zero Technology Centre and has previously been Innovation Manager and Lecturer at Robert Gordon University.