An afternoon of live speakers, TED Talks video, and conversation, brought to Grantham for the first time. Independently organised. Locally rooted. Globally connected.
One afternoon. A handful of speakers. A roomful of ideas big enough to outlast the day.
Grantham has shaped global thinking before, from the orbital mechanics of a young Isaac Newton to a Prime Minister who reshaped a country. On 10 October 2026 we are inviting a new generation of thinkers, makers, and doers to take the red circle and add their chapter.
Our first edition is small by design. A focused afternoon, a curated line-up, and a room close enough that ideas can become conversations before the day is out. The event is independently organised by local volunteers under licence from TED.
x = independently organised TED event
In the spirit of discovering and spreading ideas, TED has created a programme called TEDx. TEDx is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxGrantham, where x = independently organised TED event. At our TEDxGrantham event, TED Talks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx programme, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organised.
Emma Easton, Professor Paul Y. F. Lee, Hannah Worrall, Taryn Lee Johnston and Matt Craven make up the full TEDxGrantham 2026 line-up. Their talks stay under wraps until they step onto the stage.
Speaker 01FRSA MA MCIM · Strategist and speaker
Disability is not simply a fixed quality within a person. It can emerge from the environments, systems and assumptions that decide who can participate.
Meet Emma →
Speaker 02MBBCh, MFSEM (UK), MSc (Sports Med), PhD, FEBOT (Eu), FRCS (Tr & Orth) · Consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Surgical success is often expressed through familiar clinical measures, yet recovery is lived far beyond the operating theatre.
Meet Paul →
Speaker 03Brand strategist and business owner
What If Success Is Just Survival in Disguise?
We have mistaken survival for success — rewarding the ability to carry impossible loads instead of building lives, workplaces and systems in which people can thrive.
Meet Hannah →
Speaker 04Publisher, writing partner and literacy advocate
The Spark
The spark that makes a child a reader has never come from a system, platform or campaign. It comes from a person — and each of us can help light it.
Meet Taryn →
Speaker 05Spa owner and small business advocate
The ROI of Rest
For a small business owner, recovery is not time away from the work. It is part of the operating system that keeps both the founder and the business going.
Meet Matt →The full 2026 line-up is here.
TEDxGrantham is run by a small team of volunteers under licence from TED. We are always open to new collaborators, suggestions, and ideas worth spreading.
Standard tickets are £20 and 20 VIP tickets are available at £50. Add an event programme for £5 and receive a unique QR e-ticket for every guest.
Get tickets · from £20
