Ed Bird

Artist, Brainstormer, Designer, Educator/Teacher, Event planner, Idea generator, Musician, Performer, Producer, Project manager, Social entrepreneur, Startup, World traveler

I’m the Founder of Bird Sunglasses and the Share Your Sun movement, TEDxExeter organiser, charity director, drummer, surfer and traveler. Bird is a sunglasses brand with a difference. We make pioneering, stylish sunglasses using high quality materials and for every pair sold, we distribute a solar light to families in Malawi, Zambia and Uganda through our Share Your Sun partnership with Solar Aid. It’s business on purpose. www.birdsunglasses.com Through my work in education I currently oversee projects in over 35 schools specialising in character building and value based learning. This ranges from one-to-one mentoring, relationship and sex education, theatre productions and more. Once a year we run the ICE Awards (Inspiration Children in Education), an annual event celebrating the achievements of young people and searching out the unsung heroes in our education community. I am also a musician (currently drumming), performing regularly around the UK and occasionally further afield. check out www.bdsmusic.uk for a taster ;) TEDxExeter organiser: www.tedxexeter.com

Creating programmes and events that inspire people to grow. I love seeing progression in anyone, but particularly when it involves people growing in self confidence, self esteem and other key skills. Combining creativity, business skills and social purpose. Exploring nature and cities. Learning about new ideas and developing new skills. Looking out for the underdog. Kindness. Skateboarding. Surfing. Making new connections. Doing more with less. Family.

Design, Education, Event management, Music, Production, startups

I have been working as part of the TEDxExeter core team for four years, coordinating volunteers in the lead up and on the day, managing our livestreaming to venues around the world, creating audience experiences and hosting our main simulcast venue this year to an audience of 450 people. I am now looking to lead and develop our TEDxExeter Youth event alongside our main conference.

Cooking - I originally trained as a chef in the culinary arts. Skateboarding - I used to compete in competitions during my teenage years and featured in several films.