I deliver keynotes both nationally and internationally to a wide range of audiences.
Keynotes include :-
Speaking up matters. The ability to speak well can transform our business and our personal lives. Speak Up! reveals the five steps of successful speaking and how these can transform the way others perceive you.
As we increasingly rely on technology to interact with each other, this keynote is a timely reminder about the importance of face to face connection and the techniques we can employ to enhance it.
Ian is a communication expert who uses his background as an award-winning actor to engage, motivate and inspire in the training room and as a keynote speaker.
The recipient of the first Royal National Theatre/Ian Charleson award – presented to Ian by Sir Alec Guinness – he joined, and spent a total of 10 years, with The Royal Shakespeare Company. Ian subsequently performed with the most prestigious theatre companies in the country as well as appearing in the West End in several large- scale musicals and plays. Ian‘s film and Television work includes Dr Who, Torchwood, Robin Hood, Eastenders, Stella, Gavin & Stacy, Ransom, White Gold, Foyles War, Doom , The Road to Guantanamo and Bright Young Things. As a voice-over artist, Ian has recorded numerous campaigns on TV and Radio, as well as supplying the voices for TV animations and Computer Games. He has also recorded over 70 Television documentary narrations.
Ian is a Corporate Facilitator and Business Performance Coach. He works with organisations, both public and private sector and Government bodies, helping increase impact and performance. He delivers highly practical workshops helping delegates with Presentation and Communication skills.
Ian was Head of Acting at St Marys University, London and has regularly taught at Drama Schools in the UK as well as teaching for Cambridge University, Heidelberg University and Zurich University.
As a keynote speaker, Ian brings his wealth of performance experience to deliver an unforgettable experience for your conference and delegates.
Ian has a BA(1st) & MA (Dist)from The University of Birmingham. He is a Member of The Professional Speaking Association, The Global Speakers Association and is also a member of British Actors Equity.
You‘re looking for a speaker for your event but are fed up with the usual selection on offer and want something a little different to entertain your delegates and also to make them think. You‘re looking for a speaker with a proven track record in speaking to audiences both small and large, someone who has performed to well over 1 million people in a 25 year career and who knows how to hold an audiences attention. You‘d like a speaker who works to find the right Keynote for your audience and who enjoys actively engaging your audience with interactive exercises. You also need someone who is professional, who you can talk to in a briefing call and who will turn up well in advance on the day to ensure that everything run smoothly.
Looking for an entertainment for your delegates or attendees - or an event that makes people laugh and think?
Smashed and Stuffed are two after dinner events exploring excess, appetite and what happens when we over-indulge.
Smashed - uses a range of great writers words dealing with alcohol,
abandon and altered states.
Stuffed - focuses on food, craving and consumption
by the best literary minds.
Both entertainments are 1hr in length and can be performed with or without a break - whichever is preferred.
You are in safe-hands when booking one of these entertainments. Ian has complied and delivers both . An award-winning actor with extensive stage credits - from 10 years with The Royal Shakespeare Company, to major West End Musicals and a long list of recognisable TV and Film credits ( Dr Who, Torchwood, The Alienist, Doom, Eastenders, Gavin & Stacey , Masters of The Air, A Very Royal Scandal). Ian is also a experienced corporate speaker - speaking internationally on communication, presence and impact.
'Its been a real joy for us and for our members to come and listen to this brilliant performance from Ian' - Henry Ward, Squerryes Winery.
For further information, please get in touch.
Ian as David Roberts in Strife at The Chichester Festival Theatre
You: Auditioning for Drama School? Auditioning for a theatre or TV role? Coming back to the industry after a break? Looking for some guidance and assistance from an established practitioner with both extensive professional work and teaching experience?
Me: An award-winning actor with many credits ranging from 12 years with The Royal Shakespeare Company, large-scale West End musicals and a broad range of TV roles. Also, two years as Head of Acting at a London University, an Education Practitioner for The RSC, a regular teacher at some of the UK's leading Drama schools, part of the auditioning panel at several Drama schools, a one-to-one Acting coach and a thoroughly nice chap!
Us: We'll establish exactly what you're looking to achieve - then we'll achieve it. There is no 'one size fits all' in this type of work - I don't use set techniques and ideas and impose them - rather we'll find your particular strengths , focus on them , enhance them, highlight them so you look your most confident, in-control and relaxed self.
For Coporate Clients
Whether you're new to giving work-related presentations - or a regular public speaker - standing up and speaking in public can be daunting. With my mix of performing and corporate work, I can give practical techniques that help get your message really listened to and acted upon.
I've worked with a wide range of corporate clients both nationally and globally and am ready to share my experience to increase your impact immediately.
'Ian's input was, quite simply, a game-changer. Three of our senior board spent just one day with Ian and the results were amazing. Highly recommended' - S R , International Finance House
For an initial chat - with no commitment, please get in touch..
Nice things people have said
‘Ian Hughes told the story of how best to speak up, with passion, emotion and real insight into techniques designed to create effective engagement and communication. A master class in artistry with actionable insights, scientific facts and plenty of food for thought as everyone headed home. We all wanted more – a real measure of success’. Evcom Conference
‘It was no surprise that like all great actors, Ian delivered a polished performance with great stage presence and made his subject both inspirational, motivational and very relevant to today‘s businesses. Our members scored him very highly on their feedback and he was named by the majority as being the "standout presenter" of the day’. Martin Wells, Head of Operations, Personal Finance Society
‘Ian has been one of the most interesting, engaging and memorable speakers we have had on our national conferences circuit. Combining humour, a relaxed conversational style, audience interaction, and a superb knowledge of his audience to keep the subject matter relevant.. Our audiences left entertained and inspired’. Lee Travis, Head of Engagement , Chartered Insurance Institute
‘Speak-Up was real, poignant, funny and highly practical with plenty that leaders can put into practice straight-away’. Zoe Cohen, Director, Shine Consultancy
‘Ian Hughes can certainly spellbind his audience. Inspiring and highly recommended’. Rebekah Ramsay, MD Civica Public Protection Services
‘Ian's speech made a real impact with our delegates - the feedback has been exceptionally strong - adding great value to our conference. Humorous, moving, passionate and inspiring’. Simone Buckley, CEO ITM
‘During my career I have been fortunate to listen to many Keynote Speakers across a wide range of subjects. Ian Hughes' speech was, quite simply, one of the very best....fascinating and insightful. What sets this keynote apart is Ian 's unquestionable knowledge, humour and above all the powerful and passionate delivery that ensured the audience was captivated throughout. Utterly brilliant’. Matthew Selby, Director of Business Development, Capita.
‘Delegates left feeling genuinely empowered by their new knowledge and with a mind-set to go out and use it immediately. Ian‘s delivery – a real eye opener to what excellence should look like -word perfect, commanding the room, creating a connection and stirring the emotions – was a master class.’ Steven Heywood, Sales Account Manager, Invesco Perpetual
‘Very insightful...inspiring..completely engaging’. Julia Evans, The General Teaching Council of Wales
Drawing on his background as an actor, teacher of acting and University Lecturer, Ian offers highly practical, stimulating and rewarding Presentation skills courses. These have helped transform the presenting style of hundreds of delegates, through in-house training or Open courses in the UK and also internationally. Ian has lifted techniques directly from actor training and translated them into relevant, applicable and ground-breaking exercises suitable for use in a commercial and business context. Ian has worked as an Associate for some of the UK‘s leading training companies and has delivered courses for, amongst others, Interoute, The Welsh Assembly Government , Johnson & Johnson, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Skrill, Legal & General, AXA, Roche and DX.
To find out how Ian can help you and your organization stand out from the crowd, please get in touch.
I‘d love to hear from you if you‘d like further information or would like to book me to speak.
Contact Ian Directly:-
E: ian@speak-the-speech.co.uk