TEDx Bute Street returns this summer with an extraordinary line-up of speakers, set to illuminate the boundless creativity that makes Wales a powerhouse of artistic and cultural innovation. Hosted at the iconic Senedd Wales in Cardiff Bay on July 3rd from 5:45pm to 8pm, this highly anticipated event promises an evening of inspiration, thought leadership, and ground-breaking ideas.
Curated under the theme “Create It,” TEDx Bute Street 2025 showcases an exceptional roster of individuals shaping the future of activism, arts, technology, and cultural discourse. The selection process, overseen by a distinguished judging panel—Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Matthew Hyde, and Chris J Birch—was a rigorous journey through compelling stories and pioneering thought, ultimately culminating in an unmissable line-up of Welsh visionaries.
Meet the TEDx Bute Street Speakers
From Molly Fenton, the fearless advocate transforming menstrual health discussions, to Nathan Wyburn, whose innovative artistry redefines expression—each speaker embodies the power of creativity in action. Attendees will hear from Dr Emily Garside, a leading voice in LGBTQ+ theatre, and Barbara Chidgey, the force behind Daring to Dream, advocating emotional health.
Entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers will also take the stage, including Ammar Akhtar, the tech innovator disrupting the rental industry, and Hannah Oertel, championing healthier digital habits for children. Ceramic artist Billy Adams, esteemed conductor Tim Rhys-Evans, and the inspirational Jeff Smith, founder of Bigmoose, will share their journeys of resilience and transformation. Community radio pioneer Nathan Spackman rounds off the line-up, proving the power of amplifying local voices.
A Celebration of Welsh Creativity
Hosted by Chris J Birch, TEDx Bute Street 2025 is more than a speaker event—it’s a celebration of the creative energy driving Wales forward. From activism to artistic expression, each talk offers a fresh perspective on creation as a catalyst for change.
TEDx Bute Street continues its legacy of sparking meaningful conversations and showcasing the best of Wales’ creative talent. This year, the message is simple: don’t wait for change—create it.
TEDx Speakers Bio
✨ **Meet Molly Fenton** ✨
At just 16, while bedbound with a brain tumour, Molly launched *Love Your Period*—a campaign breaking taboos around menstrual health and empowering youth activism. Six years on, her work has reached Wales, the UK, and beyond, ensuring young people’s voices are heard. She sits on Welsh Government roundtables, speaks in behaviour units, and advocates for period equity as a tool for change. Molly proves that activism isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about saving lives. 💪
✨ **Meet Barbara Chidgey** ✨
A visionary leader turned advocate, Barbara has reshaped the conversation around emotional health in Wales. After stepping away from a successful career in education, she founded *Daring to Dream*, a charity supporting the emotional well-being of the 1.2 million adults living with physical illness. From creating safe spaces in hospitals to leading the annual *Lleswyl* well-being festival, Barbara champions the right to talk, feel, and be heard. Her mission? Ensuring no one faces illness alone. 💙
✨ **Meet Nathan Wyburn** ✨
A Welsh artist with a flair for the unexpected, Nathan turns everyday items into extraordinary portraits of cultural icons. From playful pop culture tributes to thought-provoking pieces with deeper meaning, his work has captured the attention of global stars, brands, and TV audiences. Creativity knows no bounds in Nathan’s hands—because art should make you smile, think, and feel. 🎨
✨ **Meet Dr Emily Garside** ✨
A researcher, writer, and fierce advocate for queer storytelling, Emily has shaped conversations around LGBTQ+ theatre and culture. From her PhD on theatrical responses to the AIDS crisis to bestselling books on *Schitt’s Creek*, *Angels in America*, and *Rent*, her work explores the past, present, and future of queer representation. As a journalist, she’s written for *BBC, Slate, The Stage*, and *The Queer Review*, ensuring queer narratives are seen, heard, and celebrated. 📖🏳️🌈
✨ **Meet Ammar Akhtar** ✨
Founder and CEO of *Finalrentals*, Ammar turned a bold idea into one of Wales’ fastest-growing tech scale-ups. As an outsider stepping into the Welsh business scene, his journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and impact. With a drive to transform the rental industry, Ammar is proving that fresh perspectives fuel progress. 🚀
✨ **Meet Hannah Oertel** ✨
A leading voice in the movement for healthier digital habits, Hannah is the founder of *Delay Smartphones*, a campaign dedicated to protecting childhood from the unintended impacts of tech. With over a decade in solution-focused therapy, she’s seen firsthand how smartphones and social media affect mental health. Through research, advocacy, and practical solutions, Hannah empowers parents, educators, and children to rethink their relationship with technology—for a healthier, happier future. 📱💡
✨ **Meet Billy Adams** ✨
A ceramic artist deeply connected to the landscapes that shaped him, Billy’s work embodies the raw beauty of Connemara, Donegal, and the West Wales coastline. Through textures, colours, and geological elements, his vessels explore the tension between function and memory—each piece a tactile reflection of an ever-changing world. A Fellow of the Craft Potters Association, Billy’s creations are exhibited across the UK, Europe, and the USA. 🌿🔥
✨ **Meet Tim Rhys-Evans** ✨
A renowned choral conductor, composer, and advocate for music education, Tim has shaped the Welsh music scene for over a decade. As Director of Music at *Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama*, he’s committed to creating opportunities for young talent. In 2010, he founded *The Aloud Charity*, transforming lives through *Only Boys Aloud* and *Only Kids Aloud*, ensuring that music remains a force for empowerment and social change. 🎶
✨ **Meet Jeff Smith** ✨
From the ice rinks of the *Cardiff Devils* to the summit of Everest, Jeff Smith has never backed down from a challenge. As co-founder of *Bigmoose*, alongside his daughter, he’s turning personal adversity into a powerful movement for mental health. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, Jeff’s resilience fuels his mission to create the best mental health charity in the world. After achieving their ambitious £1 million fundraising goal, Bigmoose is now stepping into its next chapter—proving that dreams don’t just happen, you **create** them. 💙
✨ **Meet Nathan Spackman** ✨
A driving force in community broadcasting, Nathan Spackman has spent over 16 years championing local voices through *Bro Radio* in the Vale of Glamorgan. As its Operations Director, he’s fostered a space where creativity, confidence, and community spirit thrive. Beyond the station, Nathan leads the charge in shaping Wales’ radio landscape, chairing the *Wales Community Radio Network* and co-founding the *UK Community Radio Network*. His work proves that when you empower communities with a platform, they don’t just speak—they **create**. 🎙️
