TEDxExeter votes for Blue Planet biologist to win charity money from accountants

A local top 30 advisory firm has given £1,000 to charity with the help of attendees at TEDxExeter.

Bishop Fleming, sponsored the annual conference for the fourth consecutive year, which saw an amazing day take place in the heart of Exeter on April 5.

An exciting opportunity was given to the entire audience at the city’s leading ideas festival, to help one of the six charitable causes attending to receive a £1,000 charitable donation.

Split into three sessions, TEDxExeter discovered and explored this year’s theme – The Art of the Possible.

Inspiring speaker and marine biologist, Steve Simpson whose work has featured on Blue Planet won the £1,000 from the public vote. The money will be donated to the Marine Conservation Society who work to ensure our seas are healthy, protected and pollution-free.

Around 20 speakers partook in the sold-out event and TEDxExeter talks have now been watched over 21-million times by a global audience.

The event has become a community-based event hosted in cities across the world.

Fleur Lewis, Partner at Bishop Fleming’s Exeter offices said: “We hope this charitable donation will help this inspiring charity. All of the causes who entered into our audience vote were worthy of this donation in their own right, but the Marine Conservation Charity and Steve clearly made a huge impression.”

According to Mrs Lewis, the ethos of the TEDxExeter message fits well with the innovative thinking that the accounting firm offers its clients. Several members of Bishop Fleming staff attended the event, while a live stream of the occasion took place in their Exeter office for people to watch and engage with.

Mrs Lewis added: “The event showcases world-class talent that can transform thinking and challenge existing preconceptions, providing an opening for innovative solutions to be hear and adopted.

“As a Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For we strive to inspire our staff to look for new opportunities and ideas, whilst providing the best possible service to our clients.”

Katherine Stephenson, Head of Fundraising at Marine Conservation Society said: "We're absolutely delighted that Dr Steve Simpson chose the Marine Conservation Society to receive this donation from the TEDX talks - he already does so much to progress ocean recovery and we've loved seeing his work and ours shared on Blue Planet Live." 

The Marine Conservation Society is a “vital voice and campaigning group for marine conservation”, it organises beach cleans, citizen science projects and provides guidance to the public and the government to help save our seas.

Steve Simpson said: "Speaking at TEDxExeter was a nerve-racking but exhilarating experience. It was great to share new ideas about how to protect the ocean.

“I am delighted that the delegates selected the Marine Conservation Society to receive a generous donation from Bishop Fleming.”