When I tell people that I'm an accent reduction and public speaking coach, their first question is nearly always,

'What sort of people do you coach?'

Over 12 years of doing this, I've worked with hundreds of people; mostly individuals, some in groups.

And I've fielded enquiries from hundreds more who were curious about changing their accents or polishing their speaking skills, but who didn't go on to book a course with me (my door's always open, friends).

Several patterns have emerged - sure, everyone is different, but actually there a few types of people that I meet again and again.

Do any of these sound like you? Or someone you know?

Billy Connolly has probably the most famous Scottish accent is the world (ask your parents, Gen Z) and it's not the mildest accent, by any means. And he was still a global success. Do you have to tone down your accent to get ahead?

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you're a mid-career professional, exploring ways to improve your public speaking or reduce your accent, and you've been thinking about this for a while. You've likely come across many coaching options. How do you decide who to trust with something as personal and impactful as your voice?

Want to improve your speech and reduce your accent? Quick fixes don’t work, but these expert-backed tips will help you speak clearly and confidently. Learn how to practice effectively, refine pronunciation, and develop lasting vocal habits. Whether for public speaking or everyday conversations, these strategies will transform the way you communicate. Start improving your speech today!

The question I'm asked most often by people who take my accent reduction courses is this: How Do I Know Which Sounds to Use in Which Words?

I'm famous! I was featured in the Guardian last week, in an article about voice coaching for politicians and how developing effective public speaking skills can enhance leadership communication.

Imagine being taken on a guided tour of a magnificent palace.

Each room you enter offers a unique experience: from grandiose ballrooms that leave you in awe, to intimate parlours designed for the warmth and comfort of just a handful of people.

A well-crafted presentation should feel like a similar journey, in both the content and the delivery.

I'm always reminding the people I work with that in order to achieve effective communication we should think about pausing as something we do for the listener: a pause creates space in which to process information, so your thoughts are more digestible. Then listeners can pick up on their value.

In the latest season of The Traitors UK, Charlotte - from London has employed a unique strategy to gain trust: faking a Welsh accent. Why?

January is my busiest time of year.

This is the month when many people decide it’s finally time to soften their accent, or improve their public speaking and communication skills.

Looking in detail at the differences between one speaker and another, with broadly the same accent, reminded me that although RP is its own distinctive accent, it's tempting to observe that no two British English RP speakers sound the same!

Unconfident speakers, especially those nervous about public speaking in front of even a small audience, often focus heavily on their content to avoid addressing their delivery. This common public speaking challenge highlights the importance of balancing engaging content with confident presentation skills.

Last weekend, I was in the Sunday Telegraph doing some (ex-) royal watching: that paper ran a story about whether King Charles' second son’s accent has become more American since resettling in California with his wife Meghan Markle and family.

Discover how accents impact trust and communication. Learn accent reduction tips for clear British English and professional success in London and beyond

A few listeners might notice your impressive vocabulary or spotless grammar. What they remember, though, is when you spent the whole presentation talking about 'copyright' and pronouncing it 'corporate'.

With recent high-profile political speeches in the spotlight, there’s been renewed interest in what makes a good election speech. One of the key elements? The power of pacing and pauses.

 This week I've been developing a tailored program of public speaking and personal impact coaching for the sales team of a big corporate client.

Chris Packham is a professional communicator with decades of experience of speaking on and off camera. The bar is high.

But I'm especially fascinated by the speech as an example of all the things I encourage speakers to do, when I talk about 'doing the listeners' work'.

Most of what the internet says about hand gestures in public speaking is BS. Read my insightful thought leadership (ie. marketing) on the subject. Then click through to the BS, naturally.

Powerful movements need powerful speakers. Read my latest newsletter to hear about how I've been helping a climate activist to inspire direct action.