Theme: Shaping Tomorrow

The future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create. TEDxYouth@HabsElstree brings together visionary thinkers, bold pioneers, and trailblazers from diverse fields to explore how we can actively shape the tomorrow we desire.

From investment bankers and venture capitalists decoding the future of finance to tech gurus revolutionising our digital landscape, our speakers will challenge perceptions and ignite ambition. Mathematicians and Scientists will share some ground breaking discoveries, mental health advocates will share vital insights on resilience, and a world-class climber will reveal the power of pushing beyond limits. Public speakers who have engaged with governments and multinationals will offer a front-row seat to the forces shaping our world.

Designed to inspire and empower students, Shaping Tomorrow is more than an event—it’s a catalyst for action, uncovering ideas, and to spark conversations, and ignite the journey toward a future we create, not just inherit.

Haberdasher's Ask Boys School
Butterfly Lane
Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3AF
United Kingdom

Alpesh Patel

Investor and Entrepreneur mentor and Speaker.

Alpesh is one of the most successful investor and entrepreneur mentors in the world. Pursuing a mission to teach people to make money to solve big world problems. Over 300m see his BBC Paper Review. He has flown globally to speak to thousands of people annually. Portfolio includes Rothschilds, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Barclays, Lloyds, UK Government, Oxford University, Merrill Lynch HSBC, American Express, Goldman Sachs. A professionally trained world-class global speaker/host, TV presenter. CEO in Asset Management. International Bestselling Author. Financial Times and Bloomberg TV Alumnus, former Visiting Fellow in Business, Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, BBC Paper Reviewer. UK Government Dealmaker, Department for International Trade. Barrister. Co-founder, UK Chapter of the World's Largest Entrepreneurs Mentoring Organisation (TiE.org). OBE for services to the Economy and International Trade.

Ben Heason

Climber and Speaker.

Ben Heason is one of the UK’s leading climbers, renowned for his bold ascents and ground-breaking big wall expeditions worldwide. With over 25 years of full-time climbing experience, he has pushed the limits of the sport and delivered nearly 1,000 inspirational talks across 16 countries. In his TEDx talk, Into the Lost World: Conquering the Unknown, Ben shares the story of the first-ever free climb of Angel Falls’ 1,000m wall - the world’s tallest waterfall. But this isn’t just a climbing story. It’s a powerful journey of resilience, teamwork, and embracing the unknown- qualities essential to shaping the future. Through breathtaking photography and captivating storytelling, Ben challenges us to step beyond our comfort zones and ask: What’s your Angel Falls? And how will you shape tomorrow?

Chris Skinner

Public Speaker

Chris Skinner is known as one of the most influential people in technology and an independent commentator on the financial markets and fintech through his blog, thefinanser.com. He has written eighteen books about finance and technology, with bestselling books including the series Digital Bank, Digital Human, Doing Digital and Digital for Good. He has been recognised as one of the most influential figures in finance, fintech, technology and payments, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the UK payments association in 2023. This is why he has been an advisor to the United Nations, the White House, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, as well as governments and firms across the world. Chris is also a successful children’s author with the five-book series about Captain Cake and the Candy Crew.

Clare Jarmy

Director of Innovation at Habs

Clare Jarmy is Director of Innovation at Habs. She leads strategic developments in curriculum design, pedagogy, 21st-century skills, AI integration, and digital learning. With a strong background in course creation, she is passionate about diverse assessment methods that stretch students to achieve in multiple ways. A philosopher of education by trade, Clare has written extensively for TES and authored a number of academic papers. Her current research explores AI, truth, and the classroom.

Emily Grossman

Co-founder of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion and Author

Dr Emily Grossman is one of the UK’s leading science communicators, best known as an expert on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show, Sky1’s Duck Quacks Don’t Echo and Discovery Channel’s How Do They Do It? and for her inspirational talks at schools, universities and venues such as The Royal Society, The Royal Institution and The Science Museum. She’s been a guest on The Christmas Lectures, writer/consultant for BBC Bitesize and is a co-founder of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion and author of their free online guide to the climate and nature crisis Emergency on Planet Earth, as well as three bestselling books for children: Brain-fizzing Facts, World-whizzing Facts and the award-winning Meet the Microbes! Emily has been named as the second Honorary STEM Ambassador alongside astronaut Tim Peake for her pioneering work in STEM education and as a role model to young people. She holds a Double First in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a PhD in Molecular Biology.

Harpreet Kaur

Business Coach

Harpreet has over 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur, and is known for being the first South-Asian winner of BBC Apprentice in 2022, gaining a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar. With a background in retail banking and management, Harpreet scaled her business to 6 figure profits and is now a small business coach, public speaker and hosts her own business radio show called The Everyday Hustle. Her passions are helping others succeed, supporting small businesses & challenging traditional methods.

Jeremy Bassinder

IBM Partner

Jez is a Partner at IBM, leading the Generative AI and Watsonx practice for IBM Consulting in the UK and Ireland. He is also a key member of IBM’s customer and digital transformation team and plays a leadership role in IBM’s global Consumer, Retail, and Travel & Transportation sectors. Specialising in AI, digital transformation, analytics, sustainability, and innovation, he works with clients in luxury, FMCG, retail, and transport to drive meaningful change. A sought-after keynote speaker, he has presented at the World AI Cannes Festival, Retail Tech Week, and leading universities. In 2016, he secured an IBM patent linking city dynamics to customer behaviours. Passionate about using technology to enhance business performance, he helps organisations reimagine engagement with consumers, customers, and employees. He lives in North West London with his wife and two children and enjoys music and cooking.

Jessica Rogers

CEO Teffie

Founder & CEO | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Innovator in Health Snacking Jessica Rogers is the founder and CEO of Teffie, a pioneering health snack brand that has been recognized as one of the most innovative snack brands for its nutrient-rich, allergen-free products. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her impact in the food industry, Jessica has built Teffie into a fast-growing company, securing partnerships with leading retailers and organizations.

Kate Bridge

Head of Habs Diploma (GS)

Dr Kate Bridge is the Head of Habs Diploma at Habs' Girls' School. She has over 15 years teaching experience and is an IOP award winning Physics teacher. Dr Bridge Co-Chairs the Practitioners Council for the Foundation of Education Development calling for a long-term strategic education plan. She is also on the National Council for the Chartered College of Teaching; Vice Chair for the Education Research Journal Committee. Dr Bridge has been published in education, sports and engineering journals and is an advocate for increasing participation of girls in Sports and Physics

Lucille Harvey

Head of User Experience at Triad

Lucille is Head of User Experience (UX) at Triad Group Plc, a digital data and technology consultancy working across the public sector. She is an award-winning designer and user researcher specialising in digital transformation and designing digital services and platforms to support the UK government. She has lead research and design across platforms which support Net Zero goals, national security, and product safety. Her work requires designing within complex challenges and constraints which has led her to develop an approach to doing less and still making it work.

Mark Stevenson

Director of Strategy and Special Projects (UK) @ Oath

Mark Stevenson, the ‘Reluctant Futurist,’ is a strategic advisor to governments, investors, NGOs, and corporates, and co-founder of carbon removals company CUR8. Dubbed ‘Chief Annoying Question Asker’ by clients, he helps organisations rethink how they feel, think, invest, and operate to tackle challenges like climate change, inequality, and market failures. His bestselling books, An Optimist’s Tour of the Future and We Do Things Differently, explore proven solutions to global issues. He is Global Ambassador for Client Earth, Director of Strategy at Oath, and a former UK Ministry of Defence advisor. A comedy writer and songwriter, he believes storytelling is vital for systems change. His hit podcast with Jon Richardson and Ed Gillespie is available on all major platforms.

Naomi Haynes

Money Strategist

Naomi Haynes is a money strategist with over 25 years of experience in financial services. A Chartered Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, and multi-award winner, Naomi is on a mission to make financial planning clear, accessible, and empowering. She specialises in helping people take control of their money, cut through the jargon, and make confident financial decisions—without the overwhelm. Passionate about breaking down barriers to financial understanding, Naomi translates complex financial concepts into practical, real-world strategies that anyone can apply. Her goal? To equip people with the tools they need today to shape a stronger financial future—one informed decision at a time.

Rumshia Amhad

Medical Doctor

Dr. Rumshia Ahmad is a General Practitioner (GP) and partner at Brondesbury Medical Centre in London. She obtained her medical degree (MBChB) and Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons) and is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP).

Sailee Khurjekar

Head of Debating and Teacher of Theology and Philosophy

Sailee is a PhD student in Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London, working on a project that explores obscenity, art censorship, and the protection of minority rights. Sailee has had her research published in Philosophy Now; has written for Mind, one of the UK’s most prominent mental health charities; and was previously interviewed by The Guardian about the Race and Ethnic Disparities Report. She joined Haberdashers’ Boys’ School in 2023 as a teacher of Theology and Philosophy and soon became the Head of Debating, combining her passions for public speaking and helping children to grow in self-confidence.

Sanjay Thakkar

Arkley Square Advisors

Sanjay Thakkar arrived in the UK at four as a refugee from Uganda. Raised in a council flat, he worked his way through university, securing a graduate role at KPMG. Despite dyslexia and poor exam results, he became the first person of colour on KPMG UK’s Executive team in its 125-year history. Leading KPMG’s 2,500-strong Deal Advisory business, he worked on deals across 50+ countries, totalling over $400bn. He helped create Virgin Media, advised Vodafone’s Africa expansion, and worked on Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin deals. He once circled the globe in under 80 hours. Now, he runs his own advisory firm, mentoring leaders and enjoying road trips and Arsenal matches.

Tom Crawford

Maths Lecturer at University of Oxford and University of Cambridge

Dr Tom Crawford teaches Maths at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, as well as running the award-winning 'Tom Rocks Maths’ outreach programme. With over 25 million views on YouTube, it's likely you’ve seen him taking a high school maths exam with no preparation, talking all things fluid dynamics on Numberphile, or filling in as the numbers expert on Channel 4’s Countdown. When not misbehaving with numbers, Tom can usually be found playing football, snowboarding or getting a new maths tattoo (15 and counting…).

Vimal Shah

Partner at PSJ Alexander & Co

Vimal Shah, Partner in a 3rd generation Family Office, PSJ Alexander & Co, advising and mentoring entrepreneurs and high net worth families in next generation asset protection, family constitutions, tax efficiencies and value creation. An Old Habs (1988) he is a qualified Chartered Accountant who encourages clients to find their passion and motivation for better business.

Yemi Olagbaiye

Director Digital Engineering Design & Innovation

Yemi Olagbaiye is a seasoned business development and technology leader with a passion cross-industry innovation. He has worked with major brands like the BBC, Channel 5, Calvin Klein and Rightmove, helping businesses navigate AI and emerging technologies. A former music producer, Yemi champions the power of cross-industry thinking, blending creativity and technology to shape the future. In his TEDx talk, Shaping Tomorrow: The Power of the T-Shape, he explores how cultivating breadth and depth of knowledge unlocks game-changing innovation, drawing from his experiences in sales, technology, and music. A strong advocate for multidisciplinary thinking, he challenges audiences to break out of industry silos and embrace the intersections where real breakthroughs happen.