A leading education executive on Teesside will make an impassioned plea for better links between schools and industry employers to support our young people, during an after-dinner speech at TEDxTeesside’s VIP dinner on the evening of October 15th.
Dr Nichole Munro, CEO of Atomix Educational Trust, which includes Stockton Sixth Form College and Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, will be sharing her views and experience, which are based on a lifelong career working in education internationally.
The Trust is taking part in TEDxTeesside as the dinner event’s main sponsor on the night of October 15 – the day before the main TEDx event, at Digital Life, Teesside University on 16th October.
Speaking of the two-day event, which will celebrate ideas, innovation, and connection right here in the North East, as eight speakers from across the UK and beyond deliver their TED talk, Dr Munro said: “We are very pleased to be associated with TEDx, which has always been about ideas that move people…ideas that challenge how we think about what’s possible.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing at Atomix: challenging traditional boundaries in education.”
Dr Munro is a passionate supporter of lifelong learning and how the combined efforts of local industry and education providers can support young people to achieve fulfilling careers for life – irrespective of their backgrounds.
She says: “It always surprises people when I tell them young children start to have life-limiting beliefs about what they can achieve in their future lives by the age of seven.
“In my speech, I will be advocating for educational providers to work with employers in a much more meaningful and cohesive way, to help raise aspirations amongst young people and show them there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
Nichole adds that career development doesn’t end upon leaving school, college or university and adults who already have many years of work behind them can continue to enjoy continuous professional development.
Stockton Sixth Form College and Prior Pursglove College were both recently awarded Chartered Management Institute status, to provide executive management courses for middle managers and senior leaders on Teesside.
Nichole said: “The Chartered Management Institute is dedicated to promoting really high standards of management and leadership.
“We are proud to be offering Level 3 courses right the way up to Level 7 courses, which will provide leaders across Teesside with chartered manager status and formally recognise their high standards and integrity in their work.
“The choice of courses and our mode of delivery will enable us to offer a contemporary approach to executive education – and it was a proud moment for our colleges when we achieved the quality assurance frameworks to allow us to become CMI centres.”
Atomix Educational Trust’s new executive education courses will be offered from February 2026, as a dynamic blend of accredited and non-accredited CPD opportunities designed for leaders at every level.
The offer includes Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited leadership programmes, exploring topical themes such as AI and strategic leadership, the future of work, and sustainability leadership.
All courses will be delivered by sector experts and can be fully contextualised to meet the specific needs of organisations or industries, with flexible delivery options and a focus on real-world application.
Speakers at the main TEDxTeesside event on October 16 will include Holly Ellis (The Scouse Scientist), Tamu Thomas (author of “Women Who Work Too Much”), Joel Bailey (co-founder of Arwen AI), and Dr Mansoor Soomro (author of the Generalist Advantage).
Topics range from genetics, humanising ambition, AI solutions for online abuse, and climate resilience, to exploring widowhood and redefining success in our modern world.
Along with the talks, attendees will experience performances from musicians, and spoken word artists, making this event a unique and immersive experience.
Sponsors Tees Valley Combined Authority and Darlington Building Society, along with Square One Law, Atomix Educational Trust, and media partner Bdaily have helped to make the event possible, bringing a platform that is watched by millions of people worldwide to Teesside.
Michaela Reaney, the organiser of TEDxTeesside, said: “The energy around this year’s event is something else. From genetics that’ll change how you think about every NHS interaction to AI solutions for online abuse – these speakers are tackling the stuff that actually matters. I love that we’ve got Holly breaking down science barriers alongside local innovators like Mansoor, Kim, Ned, and Tabby. It’s going to be one of those days where you walk out with your head spinning from all the brilliant ideas you’ve just heard.”
TED Talks are currently viewed at an astonishing rate of 1.5 million times per day, which means that a new viewing begins every 17 seconds.
This incredible reach illustrates the global demand for ideas that challenge, educate, and inspire.
Michaela added: “Now, TEDxTeesside is bringing that energy directly to the North East, where we’re building a local community around this global brand.
“The timing couldn’t be more perfect. As Tees Valley positions itself as a powerhouse for innovation with Digital Life, the Investment Zone, Net Zero and being the fastest growing tech hub outside of London, TEDxTeesside provides the global platform our region’s ideas deserve.
“TEDxTeesside is open to everyone in our community. We believe that to tackle the world’s biggest challenges we need everyone in the room.”
Tickets are still available for the main event on 16th of October at Digital Life, Teesside University at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/opportunityglobal/1640852 For more information on TEDxTeesside, visit www.tedxteesside.com
