Speaker List
HEERAL PATTNI
Heeral created Amica from a personal realisation that safety and lack of connectivity were barriers to solo travel. The Amica App launched in summer 2021 in the UK with the aim to connect like-minded women through a trusted network, to share activities and experiences based on their mutual interests. She is dedicated to encouraging young, female founders from minority backgrounds to enter into and thrive in tech, and is equally committed to ensuring that women everywhere have the freedom to fearlessly explore the world, with Amica by their side. Alongside a growing global community, Amica has been featured in The Telegraph, Business Insider, Glamour, Popsugar among other notable publications. Heeral has also spoken on panels for the likes of American Express, alongside Bumble and Snapchat, sharing insights on Gen-Z trends and the future generation of tech entrepreneurs. Heeral is University of Warwick alumni, where she graduated with a BA in Politics and International Studies and also led the TEDxWarwick Content Team.
ALEX O'CONNOR
Alex O’Connor, founder of the “Cosmic Skeptic” Youtube Channel, podcast and blog - dedicated to the publication of philosophical ideas and debates in an accessible format. Alex’s online videos have been collectively viewed around 50 million times, attracting over 450,000 subscribers. Produced videos with experts in respected fields, such as Peter Singer, Richard Dawkins, Bishop Robert Barron, and William Lane Craig. International public speaker and debater who has delivered addresses at multiple conferences and universities, as well as debated ethics, religion and politics.
NICHOLAS MCCARTHY
Nicholas McCarthy, one of Britain’s most inspiring pianists. Nicholas has performed extensively around the world with critical acclaim in both recital tours and with major orchestras. Nicholas was born without his right hand and rose above with sheer talent and determination to study at the prestigious Royal College of Music. Being the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the RCM in its 130-year history, this drew headlines around the world and In March 2018 he was awarded honorary membership by it's President, HRH The Prince of Wales. Nicholas has performed with the British Paraorchestra at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic games alongside Coldplay and is one of Europe’s most in demand keynote speakers.
BEX SPILLER
Bex Spiller, who runs a wellness platform, The Anti-Burnout Club, after burning out as an entrepreneur and shutting down her previous international content agency in 2022. The Anti-Burnout Club and has helped 1000s of people improve their well-being, in particular NHS and other key workers. Bex is a staunch advocate for better mental health and often speaks up against toxic hustle culture. Her very first published works were released by David & Charles in January 2022 - part book, part journal, and part online experience - called The Anti-Burnout Journal. Bex is a University of Warwick student, currently pursuing her MBA under Warwick Business School and has a passion for the Economics of Well-Being.
ROBBIE LYLE
Robbie Lyle is the founder and owner of @aftvmedia and has been a pioneer in the football world.
He is one of the most prominent black personalities in UK sports media and is one of the only black personalities to own a successful media company in UK sport.
Away from sports, Robbie has been a long-standing supporter and advocate for cancer charity Prostate Cancer UK.
JUSTIN FARRANCE
Justin Farrance who graduated from the University of Warwick in 2018 and is now founder of the charity GROW Mentoring alongside working at a Magic Circle law firm. At university, Justin was told that he’d have to hide his sexuality to stand a chance of becoming a corporate lawyer. Today, Justin is an openly out gay man working at magic circle law firm Allen & Overy and currently on secondment at Meta (Facebook). In 2020, Justin founded GROW Mentoring and in just over a year the charity has supported over 2500 diverse aspiring lawyers globally and partners with some of the world’s largest companies. Justin’s dedication has led to him receiving awards from the Prime Minister, the McKinsey & Company Global Achievement Award 2021, as well as being named the #1 Future Leader at the British LGBT Awards 2021.
SANA MITTAR
Sana Mittar, a penultimate undergraduate student at the University of Warwick. A youth leader, activist, changemaker, and social entrepreneur who wishes to use her knowledge to empower others, propagate inclusivity and break stigmas of society. She has been a national debater for 3 years and has worked to foster active citizenship for the past 3 years in different capacities. Through her engagements with organisations such as The Global Education & Leadership Foundation, Instagram, Young Leaders for Active Citizenship, and the United Nations, she has focused on issues like gender equality, peace and security, mental health, education, Covid pandemic relief, and environmental sustainability. Due to her proactive humanitarian efforts, she has been awarded the 'Making A Difference in the Community' Award by the University of Warwick, as well as the prestigious Diana Award.
SANJIV PATEL
Sanjiv Patel, Multi Award Winning Leader and Associate Fellow of Warwick Business School, with a particular interest in developing human potential. Recently featured on Fox News, Market Watch and CBS, Sanjiv is a thought leader who combines his life and business experiences. As Co-Chair of the WBS Global Mentoring Programme, he set about building bridges and challenging the status quo, to help build global communities. With over 30 years of experience across financial services, telecoms, consulting, and personal development Sanjiv has been an advisor to business leaders and has led a number of projects. For almost a decade now, he’s used this experience to deliver a module on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at WMG which is ranked among the top 25 in the world and tops the list in the UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he along with others utilised platforms like BBC, iTV News and Sky News to raise over £700,000 towards supplying oxygen and equipment in India.
PATRICK HUTCHINSON
Patrick Hutchinson, a Coventry born, London bred personal trainer and martial artist.
He rose to prominence during the Black Lives Matter protests, helping a counter-protester to safety during a demonstration in London.
He frequently trained in Thailand at Muay Thai training camps with various Kru’s (instructors) to which he accredits a lot of his mental fortitude.
WILLIAM HOWARTH
William Howarth. Will Howarth has worked on charity, government and sporting events around the world as a partnerships and sponsorship professional. Will’s work includes the COP26 Climate Change Conference, The Captain Tom Foundation, and seven years with the International Cricket Council. In 2016 he left a relationship, a high-profile job, and his life abroad to go on a journey of self-discovery. Will now spends his time supporting mental health recovery, with a particular focus on shame, love avoidance and addiction.
FIZA FARHAN
Fiza Farhan, a leading global expert on issues pertaining to inclusive economic growth, climate change, sustainable development, financial inclusion, women empowerment, access to energy and multi-sectorial partnerships; advising various Governments, private sector and development agencies especially the United Nations on critical development issues in both realms of advocacy and action. Previously Fiza was the CEO & Co-founder of two social enterprises Buksh Foundation & Buksh Energy Private Limited, whereby she launched multiple global innovations on projects creating unique development solutions addressing multiple challenges the rural communities face including the nexus between empowerment for women & girls and access to clean and reliable energy solutions in addition to access to finance, education and economic livelihoods, later the same innovative ideas got recognized as “International Best Practices” by the UN Foundation & UN Habitat. Fiza was featured in the US Magazine Forbes “30 Under 30 List of Social Entrepreneurs” twice in 2015 and then in 2016, in addition to becoming the youngest member of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Women Economic Empowerment, Future Energy Leader at the World Energy Council, and Chairperson to Chief Minister Punjab’s Task Force on Women Empowerment. Currently, Fiza is an advisor to multiple stakeholders including UNICEF Pakistan, JICA International, Ministry of Education Punjab, UN Women Asia Pacific, Ministry of Climate Change, and the Australian Government amongst others. Fiza is a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences and completed her post-graduation from Warwick Business School, UK. Apart from her professional accolades, Fiza believes in creating advocacy for young women globally, inspiring them to achieving their best potential within both their personal and professional lives.
JOSH ADEYEMI
Josh Adeyemi, a finalist at Cambridge University, where he studies Human, Social, and Political Sciences. In his first year, he was elected Ethnic Minorities Officer for St John’s College JCR, working with the college to increase diversity. He is the current Head of Social Media at Aim Cambridge, a student-run access initiative that seeks to demystify the university to those from underrepresented backgrounds. He is an advisory board member of Power the Fight UK and a trustee board member of The Oppidan Foundation, a London-based charity that seeks to reduce school exclusions. Josh has been featured in publications such as The Sunday Times, BBC News, and Le Monde in recognition of his efforts to widen educational access. In his spare time, he writes, runs, and works on his food start-up.
ANDREW MITCHELL
Andrew Mitchell, an international thought leader on sustainable finance and natural capital. Through his consultancy, Equilibrium Futures, he provides strategic advice to the finance sector on environmental risks and opportunities. He is Senior Adviser and Founder to Oxford think tank, Global Canopy, and the
Natural Capital Finance Alliance. Andrew helped to create the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure
(TNFD) and is currently the Vice Chair of the TNFD Stewardship Council.
ANDY PALMER
Andy Palmer. Dr Andy Palmer CMG is a chartered engineer and automotive executive. Having served in leadership positions at both Nissan and Aston Martin, Andy has led transformational change at two of the world’s most recognisable businesses in the industry. Notably, he is also a Warwick alumni holding a Masters degree in Engineering from the University of Warwick. Andy started his career as a 16-year-old Apprentice and then Project Engineer, before joining Austin Rover in 1986, culminating in his appointment to Chief Engineer for Transmission Engineering & Manufacturing. In 2012, AutoExpress voted Andy into their Hall of Fame as the “Most Influential British Person in the Global Automotive Business” and in 2018, AutoExpress named him” Person of the Past 30 Years”. Beyond the boardroom, Andy is a licensed race car driver, advises the UK Government on export matters and leads the Palmer Foundation. In 2014, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Year Honours for services to the British automotive industry.
Our TEDx22 Magazine
This magazine serves as a reflection of all the 21-22 team achieved, in our return to in-person events.
Developed and written by the Publications team - Alana Gaglio, Abhi Desai, Lauren Walker, and Oliver Ind.
Graphic design by the Creative team - Julia Chin, Alya Zeta Soerakoesoemah, Kismat Shrees, and Eva Ahlstedt
