A powerful day of ideas, stories and conversations exploring how we protect what makes us human in a rapidly changing world.

Join us for TEDxTrafford 2026: Future Proof — Human by Design, a live TEDx experience bringing together bold thinkers, changemakers, creatives, leaders and community voices to explore one urgent question:

In a world being reshaped by technology, pressure, uncertainty and change — how do we stay deeply human?

This year’s theme invites us to think beyond survival and ask what it means to build a future rooted in courage, connection, creativity, wellbeing, inclusion and purpose.

Expect powerful TEDx talks, meaningful conversations, fresh perspectives and a room full of people who care about the future of leadership, community and human potential.

Future Proof :Human by Design

We are living through a defining moment.

Artificial intelligence is transforming work.

Burnout is reshaping leadership.

Young people are navigating an uncertain future.

Communities are seeking belonging in a divided world.

Organisations are asking how to innovate without losing empathy.

And many of us are wondering how to grow, adapt and thrive without becoming disconnected from ourselves or each other.

Future Proof : Human by Design is about choosing to design a future that does not simply become faster, louder or more automated — but wiser, kinder and more human.

This TEDxTrafford event will explore ideas connected to:

• human-centred leadership

• high performance and sustainable success

• resilience, identity and belonging

• creativity, innovation and technology

• wellbeing in a changing world

• community, culture and social impact

• the future of work, learning and human connection

This is not just an event about the future.

It is an invitation to shape it.

Confirmed speakers

Professor Damian Hughes

Professor Damian Hughes is a bestselling author, international speaker, organisational psychologist and co-host of The High Performance Podcast, where he and Jake Humphrey explore the behaviours, mindset and habits of world-class performers across sport, business, entertainment and culture.

Damian is known for his work in high-performance cultures, leadership and organisational change. He is the founder of LiquidThinker, a consultancy specialising in cultural change and employee engagement, and is recognised for helping leaders, teams and organisations understand how to build sustainable high performance.

His work brings together practical experience, academic insight and powerful storytelling — making him a compelling voice for a TEDxTrafford theme focused on performance, humanity and the future of leadership.

Katy Leeson

Katy Leeson is a leadership and mindset coach, award-winning speaker, marketing leader and former Managing Director of Social Chain. She played a significant role in scaling Social Chain from a fast-growing Manchester start-up into a global agency, with sources noting growth from around 30 staff to more than 130 in its early stage, and wider speaker profiles crediting her with helping grow the business to hundreds of employees globally.

Katy is also the former CEO of Relentless Group and has been involved in building major media and sports content brands, including work connected to The Overlap.

Today, Katy speaks and coaches on leadership, growth, imposter syndrome, confidence and purposeful success. Her story and expertise bring a powerful perspective on what it takes to lead, grow and remain authentic in high-pressure environments.

James Sutton

James Sutton is a British actor, writer and speaker, best known for his roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale and his decades of experience in the public eye, as well as playing roles that explored ‘taboo’ storylines, James specialises in decision-making, reliability, and performance under pressure.

Alongside his acting career, James is the founder of Protocol, an organisation that looks to align structure, consistency, and small non-negotiable commitments with rebuilding confidence, direction and identity in uncertain times. His writings and tools offered through Protocol are utilised by professionals navigating career transitions, leadership pressure, and identity shifts after major life changes, providing leaders, founders, men’s groups, and more with practical advice on how to perform when motivation is stifled, certainty is unclear and how to use discipline as a grounding asset.

He is also the host of the Male Mind Matters podcast, where he dives into the lives of everyday men and looks to break down emotional barriers, redefine masculinity, and cultivate candid conversations. James has been previously nominated for Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards and has received praise for his performances from a multitude of media outlets and organisations.

Who should attend?

This event is for you if you are:

• a leader, founder or entrepreneur thinking about the future

• a professional interested in innovation, wellbeing or human-centred leadership

• a studen

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