Testimonials

“Well, you made a MASSIVE impact on the team last Friday. Thank you for landing the session so perfectly… the feedback has been exceptional and unprecedently positive – you were totally on brief, entirely complementary with Steve’s session and all the other speakers, and it just helped us tell a single and consistent story across the whole day. Mission very much accomplished.”

Chris Goldson, Creative Sales Director, ITV plc 

“Neil works with us to help improve the communication and presentation skills of our senior team. His ‘advert’ talks about “using improvisation to improve delivery” and, sure, he can do that — but we’ve found that he does much more. He has taken the time and interest to really understand our business and this, together with a sharp intellect, allows him to also offer real content insight to his audience of smart guys. And he pitches his coaching and feedback style perfectly for each different person – pushing as far as possible, but never to the point of humiliation. Neil is a thoroughly decent guy, without ego and much loved within our firm.”

Alan Middleton, CEO, PA Consulting 

“The very important aspect of positive messaging is brought to life with Neil. He makes the work fun and that relaxes people, drops their defences and allows them to learn more quickly. He brought fun and humour and energy.

Neil’s session added a completely different dimension to our senior grade workshop. Getting our people up their feet and trying out personal effectiveness techniques they wouldn’t previously have known about, amidst our other sessions on business plans and the economic outlook, ensured we delivered a much more textured and rounded learning experience.”

KPMG

“Neil has led many workshops on communication what is now hundreds of Directors of Professional Services Firms like KPMG & Barclays Capital for me.   He has always done his homework and, coupled with his skills and knowledge, is able to engage, enthral, delight and teach what can be difficult audiences. He is also a delight to work alongside.

This is what one of the delegates have said about his workshops:-

‘Neil highlighted some different aspects for me to think about that will be very helpful.   His delivery was outstanding.  And it was fun!’”

Deborah Tom, Managing Director, Human Systems Ltd

“I have had the pleasure of working with Neil on a range of events both large and small. He is exceptionally engaging and effective with both groups. One event held in a large venue in Westminster attracted over 500 participants and from the moment Neil walked onto the stage they were completely engaged. He has an uncanny knack of identifying major issues and challenges. Through engagement with that audience he demonstrates how they can think differently particularly about the way they could communicate better and think more creatively and collaboratively. There is a perfect balance of laughter and learning and at the end of the session lots of people stayed in their seats talking with their neighbours or just reflecting on ‘what just happened’.

Dr Lynne Maher, Director for Innovation and Design, NHS Institute for
Innovation and Improvement

“The atmosphere of the sessions is always fun and energised and even the quietest of participants surprise us by volunteering to join in on the exercises which they wouldn’t normally do.

I believe this to be down to Neil’s ability to put people at ease very quickly and being so inclusive in his training style.  When Neil is training you hear a lot of laughter, and there is a buzz in the room that continues for days and even weeks after the session has ended.

Neil’s background allows him to make every participant feel important, he effortlessly remembers and uses the participants’ names and continually refers back to them and unique situations discussed in group work and during the introductions making everyone feel part of the course.  His style also keeps people on their toes, as they never know when Neil might refer back to them!

Feedback from Neil’s sessions has always been exceptional and they work in so many different settings with so many different audiences.”

Training Manager, LEO Burnett

“I was responsible for organising a conference for all the news editors at the BBC. These are a notoriously cynical bunch of individuals who are not known for their collaboration skills. Our aim was to break down the silos in which they had become comfortable and to try to get programmes to work together for the greater good of the Corporation. There were about 200 individuals at the event. Neil handled this large group of hard-nosed BBC news journalists with aplomb, keeping them amused yet making them think about their own communication styles. His session saw the editor of the Today Programme working closely with the editor of Breakfast TV – something unknown before that day.
The feedback was that this was the best session of the day and we were very pleased with the result.”

BBC News

“When I heard Balfour Beatty were organising a conference for the whole company I had no hesitation in recommending Neil for workshops and the final session of the event.  At the end of longhard day, Neil’s finale was perfect – high energy, interactive and highly thought-provoking. He has the skill to select just the right individual to perform in front of colleagues while making sure everyone in the room is included and involved in the exercises.  The whole company found it delivered something for everyone while ending the conference on a high. I would have no hesitation in recommending his work with any size of group in the future. He can always be relied on to deliver.”

Lindsey Grist, Managing Director, Grist Communications

“Neil showed consummate professionalism and a seemingly effortless grasp of the key messages to be conveyed at the Baxi UK Sales conference. He researched and prepared thoroughly for the event and was superb on the day, interacting seamlessly between directors and the management audience. His warm and witty style both relaxed the senior contributors from across the business and set an open, inclusive tone. He facilitated several interactive sessions during the course of the day and ran a brilliant (and hilarious) improv comedy masterclass over dinner in the evening. Having been lucky enough to work with Neil on a number of live projects I have seen how he goes out of his way to ensure that everyone involved feels both valued and engaged.He has a unique ability to combine very classy comedy with a genuine knowledge and enthusiasm for business. I really could not recommend him highly enough.”

Andy Porter, Managing Director, Veracity Digital

“A great evening , which I enjoyed but also learnt from – a great combination.  Those who were sceptical
were quickly bought onside by Neil as he is clearing very good at ‘reading’ the audience and putting everyone at ease. In the very limited time available Neil ensured that we learnt the key points associated with the acronym ‘LAGER’ through interactive exercises and demonstrations. I would highly recommend Neil’s work.”

Women in Property

“Feedback from Neil’s sessions has always been exceptional and they work in so many different settings with so many different audiences. I would recommend Neil Mullarkey to anyone who is trying to improve their public speaking or the way in which they present themselves in work situations. Every
minute I spent with Neil was incredibly useful – within half an hour of meeting and chatting, he had a real grasp of the issues I wanted to tackle and the context of my work and presentations. In the sessions that followed, he made sure that I felt able to experiment and push myself while building confidence, skills and technique.

He has remained interested in my progress and my sessions with him have made a perceptible improvement to my public presentations and my confidence  – this has not just been noticed by me but by my colleagues. Thanks to Neil, I now feel that I make speeches that feel more like the real me and now feel that I am in control of the situation rather than the presentation controlling me.”

Music Charity

“Neil was great and a change from the norm – we need more sessions like “Having Better Conversations”. It was fun and reminded me of things I know I should know but sometimes forget. Neil’s session was hugely enjoyable and yes – I’m trying out some of the techniques already.”

Comic Relief Grants Team

“A funny man with a deep sincerity about what he does. He elegantly and provocatively shakes up your thinking, challenges your self imposed limitations and pushes your creativity. You will certainly laugh at yourself and others and you may well surprise yourself too.”

“What you did was stunning – wonderfully conversationally provocative.”

Paul King, Managing Director, The Beyond Partnership

“I had the pleasure of working with Neil during the UK Sport Elite Coach Programme, Neil ran a workshop entitled “Courage and Bravery”. I am a reflector by nature and usually enjoy space and time to think and digest, Neil’s workshop allowed me to learn while doing in an environment that supports
both the individual and the group. The experiential nature of the work that Neil offers means there is no right or wrong there is just “do” and learn both in the moment and from the outcome. It has allowed me to stop spending time thinking so much about the consequences of right, wrong, good or bad and allows me to do and react.

Neil uses his quick thinking intellect, sharp humour and amazing understanding of people and their daily circumstances to articulate and act out human behaviours aligned to those circumstances.

It’s ok if other peoples thoughts, actions or interpretations are different to mine as long as they are aligned to the direction we want to go. Detours can be fun and enlightening.”

Nigel Redman, Elite Coach Development Manager, Rugby Football Union

“I noticed I was much more alert than normal and the atmosphere was one of lively anticipation. Neil’s approach is different because he moves and flows with the audience – it’s more like a dance than a presentation.”

Iain Carruthers, Partner, The Encounter Business

“Neil provided a superbly-energetic and inspiring post-lunch session for our conference of 150 business teachers. He provided them with hands-on experience of exercises which will encourage their students to think more creatively – a key skill for which they receive no formal training.

A stand-out session from all our conferences last year”.

Jim Riley, Managing Director, tutor2u

“Neil teases you out of being who you think you should be and dares you to be who you are……by being an Improvocateur! For me…absolutely at the heart of what is needed for personal and professional leadership (mine and my clients’) in these tough times!”

Sharon Torpey, Business Coach

“Neil gives you a vocabulary for diagnosing communication breakdowns. His simple (but not easy) framework offers a prescription for success. He makes improvisation accessible to all , not just the verbally agile. We learn that we improvise most of the time and that we can get better through understanding what we are doing. I have collaborated with Neil in working with managers in the public and private sectors and with postgraduate students of different nationalities. He has something to offer to everyone. Sometimes where an individual has a block, Neil’s session can be personally transforming.

Neil combines a warmly human style, sharp as a tack verbals, and a willingness to confront and expose difficult issues.”

Senior Fellow, Said Business School, Oxford

“In his exceptional sessions, Neil lifts a room of people, shares some incredibly simple and yet powerful techniques and prepares people to succeed - while having an enormous amount of fun.”

Senior Manager (Learning & Development), Global media company

“Thank you for your lively and engaging sessions. The participants were spellbound and the feedback has been really positive. I have personally seen many examples of real active listening, with people
picking up the cues of others so obviously the learning has landed.”

Garcia Williamson, UK Head of Talent, KPMG

“We were delighted to have Neil share a session at our off-site. His session helped us to examine the way we interact with others in a positive and entertaining way. He highlighted the power of stories and how to build on the outputs of others. The end result was a challenging, thought provoking and highly entertaining session. Neil is truly a master in his trade and we look forward to him joining us again in the future.”

Lynn S O’Connor, Organisational Development Manager, HSBC

“The delegates have learnt a lot from you and I thank you for the positive influence you have had over circa 250 planners in the past 4 years. Not to mention the good laughs at the Comedy Store, of course.”

Sandra Kinmont, Global S&OP Capability Director, Unilever

“I just wanted to write and thank you for running the course for me the other day. It never ceases to amaze me the impact that it has on people.  It is such a genuine course backed up by years of experience in understanding people, emotions and body language.

As I said to you prior to thesession it was a key part of a plan to develop the team I am working with. They interface across the whole business and heavily in to the external world and the day has allowed them to develop better understandings of how to sell, negotiate etc….in fact I found myself being ‘Mullarkeyed’ the other day by one of them such is the impact. Thanks again and we will be looking to have you back again in the early New Year to follow up.”

Marc Lawn, Interim Director of Marketing Services - Europe and Africa, Castrol

“A fun approach to a serious subject that engaged me with everyone & developed new skills at the same time.”

“The evening with Neil Mullarkey was fantastic! It’s always fun to do something different and this
event certainly offered you that! The session was informal and most importantly on your doorstep!”

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn improvisation from the master! It was a really fun session, bringing to life the ever important skill of thinking on your feet in a way you couldn’t imagine.”

“I found the evening to be interesting and an entertaining way to work on our improvisation skills, which in turn could then be put to good use in our day to day working lives.”

“Neil Mullarkey’s improvisation was a fun, inspiring and energetic approach to clearing the cobwebs and thinking out of the box.”

Weber Shandwick

“A very inspirational and thought provoking course – thanks.”

“Thanks very much for the day. It was very enjoyable, and eye opening. At the start I said that I wanted to have the confidence to state my opinion, but I also wanted to do it in a calm, collected and knowledgable manner, rather than sounding flippant. The exercises, especially the grounding, really helped me. And I’ve already managed to be more assertive in meetings, so some part of Jeremy Clarkson must be rubbing off. Again, thanks very much for an incredibly useful day.”

“Thanks Neil, I really enjoyed the day and I know everyone else did too. Even *****. You did such a good job with him he was better than me by the end of the day. And I think ***** took a lot from it too in terms of my objective for him to have more in his armoury.”

“I really enjoyed the day and have come away with new skills which I’ll use when presenting. I hope we use your services again.”

“We’ve been talking about it on the train and everyone agreed what a great day it was. Everyone has taken something away from it and was excellent to see the crew’s confidence grow from the morning to the afternoon session under your guidance. Thanks once again.”

 Virgin Money

“The participants loved the session. It was something different and fresh. Thanks again. You were great.”

Deutsche Bank/London Business School

“Thank you so much for such a fantastic session at our recent sales conference.

Our plan was that people left the conference after two days on a real high and they did just that! I have has several emails since from delegates with really positive comments about what they took away
from your session. Hope to see you again next year.”

Jo Revitt, Archant

“A huge thanks to you for a fantastic afternoon. Everyone had a great time.”

“I would like to say how good the event was. The venue was fantastic but the speaker was absolutely
brilliant. By far the best Deloitte event I have been to.”

“Everyone felt great about the event on Friday, so thanks very much for your part in that.”

Deloitte

“Delighted as ever to work with you and watch an artisan at work.

They had great sessions the next day where they could really see offers and blocking at work. I think they were quite surprised at their everyday occurrence… thank you for your consistency, generosity and professionalism.
Look forward to the next time.”

Umbro

“The level of pitches was actually terrific and I put that down at least in part to you inspiring people
and getting them limbered up earlier. It was actually a very good day and we have had only positive response which is great…so thanks as ever!”

Wayne Garvie, Director of Content & Production, BBC Worldwide

“Thank you so much for running such a fantastic session yesterday.  I have received several e-mails today which sing your praises…”

“Thanks again for a truly fab event…people seem to have been very positively surprised by the whole thing – its content, tone and attention to detail”

“Just been for a coffee and was stopped by 7 different people wanting to say how good Neil’s session was.”

“Neil’s workshop was great, I just didn’t want it to end!”

Boots Healthcare, International

“Your session worked really well and set just the participative, innovative, risk-taking tone and theme of conversation that we wanted.

It was a really high energy way for people to recognise the connections they had made. I finished off the event with a short session building on your great start.

The workshops were approached with scepticism but leaders found it fun and engaging. Most importantly the impact is that we have more ‘Yes, And’ conversations and are getting better at listening and building on others’ ideas.”

BP

“It was a great experience in learning to shake off habits, pre-conceptions and my own single-mindedness to help enable better participation and interaction with other people. Having given the
very rare presentation in the last eight years, I never really thought about getting up in front of a room of people and trying to hold their attention, whilst actually enjoying the experience. Usually it is something I would like to have over and done with and forgotten as quickly as possible.

Ever since attending Neil’s seminar, I’ve been reciting some of the lessons that I learned: Lessons that would apply in ANY public facing session. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a room full of people.

Mostly I took away the need to listen and have an open mind. Otherwise one could miss all the inputs that your audience is giving you consciously or unconsciously).

I appreciated the approach that Neil took in conducting exercises utilising games that enable us to see how our own perspective closes our mind to all other possibilities that there may be right in front of us. I think if I could have spent any more time with Neil, I would get that much closer to being able to confidently speak/lead/present almost anywhere, anytime and with potentially any audience.

The day we spent was about learning then utilising the tools and exercises we were taught to achieve our goal. Being shy or self-conscious never came into it. Don’t just recite a message, deliver it.”

Bulldog Broadband

“I hear people saying they have ‘done a Neil Mullarkey’ meaning that they’ve taken a different approach to a presentation – less formality and more passion and connection with their audience.

Our  leadership team meetings have more energy and imagination, as though Neil has given people permission to think and act differently. We have been trying to get people to think this way for a while,
but somehow Neil persuaded them!

We often use the ‘Yes, And’ technique. Even when we don’t do it overtly, we often hear people stop themselves and change tack, saying, “I mean ‘Yes, And’ …” It has made people think about the positive aspects of a situation.

This is really important to the work we are doing on culture change. Even our ‘Word-At-A-Time Story’ has left its mark.

All those involved know what we mean if we mention ‘Neil’s Story’.”

Claire Clancy, Chief Executive, Companies House

“Working with Neil’s unique talents and techniques has many benefits above and beyond straight-out skill development.

The added value aspects include a real drive to understand what objectives lie at the heart of the training and, as a result, tailoring engaging methods to maximise audience engagement, team dynamics, participation and enjoyment.

Neil’s approach is high energy and is as relevant to those who need training as to those who may need reminding of skills and techniques that may have slipped in the hurly burly of just doing the job.

I have had so much positive feedback about the session but particularly about how right Neil was for us and that it was exactly what the studio needed – focus on them, working together, thinking about the brand.”

Managing Partner, Fitch

“Neil’s training leaves a long lasting legacy. Two things strike me, several months on:

The first was how well Neil understood our organisation, our people and our challenges. So even the most reticent staff responded positively and felt he was their friend.

Secondly, the impact of ‘Yes, And’ lives on. Even last week, one of our team remarked that ‘we look for solutions, not problems’. She referred to the exercise led by Neil where we were not allowed
to say ‘yes … but’, only ‘yes … and’.”

Anne Evans, Chief Executive, HTI(Heads, Teachers, Industry)

“Neil takes executives to a space that is fun, challenging and for them completely new.

The most powerful insights come from participating rather than observing, and the improvisational method and the techniques embedded in it have universal application, if people’s minds are open to the stretch.

Neil’s personality and gifts make that transition one which executives are willing and motivated to make.”

Nigel Nicholson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School

“I thought it was pretty much perfect, and that you made us feel welcome, relaxed but challenged.

Thank you very much for everything on Friday. Your effort throughout the day made it a great experience - both fun and very instructive for all of us.The positive feedback has continued this morning.

Thank you also for the way in which you seemed able to identify the key challenges for us so well. One of the most pleasing things for me was that my colleague, who has to watch 6 or so of these presentations a day, and cops the feedback from the audience, spent so much of the day nodding at what you were saying and doing. What you say about presentations is spot on – and there are certainly some more confident individuals around here this morning. Thanks again.”

Morgan Stanley

“Your contribution was brilliant and the feedback from delegates I spoke to said that it had really struck a chord with them. Thanks again for making the sessions both thought-provoking and fun.

“It was lovely meeting you Neil and the delegates thoroughly enjoyed your performance – I don’t think I have ever heard them laugh so much at one of these events – it was a refreshing change!”

“Feedback from the Conference has been superb for your afternoon improvisation session. There have been lots of calls for more interactive and innovative strands next year so you’ve clearly made an impression on them.”

NHS Confederation Conference

“Neil’s session on communication really demonstrated how little we focus on this important area and what some of the consequences could be when we fail to communicate well. Participants left the session smiling, desperate to try out their new skills and with an entirely positive attitude to
communication that still prevails over a year later”.

Senior Leader, UK National Health Service

“Through an exciting session of fun tasks Neil skilfully enabled teams to think differently or ‘outside the
box’. This has resulted in a number of great new ideas about some of the health challenges we are currently facing.”

Head of Innovation Practice Institute for Innovation & Improvement, UK National
Health Service

“Neil’s disarmingly charming approach masks a razor sharp wit and intellect – of course, the very essence of the Improv professional – as he leads, teases, coaches and cajoles his teams through the
real life learnings that are oh-so cleverly disguised as theatre.

The spark of originality is all that separates the individual from the crowd. And so begins the journey into the alternative corporate world of Neil Mullarkey.

It is a place both challenging, in the way in which company ‘machines’ are stretched beyond their natural comfort zones, yet also strangely re-assuring in that, inevitably, we cope with and really enjoy the experience.

Yes and, at last on a ‘training course’, there is no Death by PowerPoint! You will not be disappointed – enjoy!”

Sales & Marketing Director, UK Atomic Energy Authority

“Neil’s use of improvisation (both theory and practice) made for one of the most inspiring and provocative sessions on creativity that I have ever experienced. He took a class of 108 Cambridge MBA’s – hard-nosed, rational and highly sceptical about their individual ability to create – and transformed them.”

Richard Hytner, Deputy Chairman, Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide 

“I wanted to send my thanks for a truly great session… the feedback from the field force has been exceptional and they can be a tough audience to please!”

Brand Manager, Astra Zeneca

Sales Workshop Participants’ Feedback:

“I will never sell the same way to a customer again!”

“The course releases inhibitions, gives a greater understanding of what you do and how to
change.”

“The exercises bring you out of your comfort zone and make you willing to try new ideas and approaches.”

“A brilliant course – very stimulating!”

“I just wanted to thank you for providing such a good training course. It is so good to have a
different perspective and an unusual delivery on the training we receive. I took a great deal away from the course and am looking forward to making some personal changes. Thanks again!”

“I have already started to put some of the principles into practice. I have had a few slightly uncomfortable calls where I have broken the old habits but have also made significant progress with some key customers.” 

“Great session, thank you. It really did achieve exactly what we wanted – broke down barriers, helped bring everyone together for the rest of the away day and importantly people took something very
positive out of the training which will really help us all. You were spot on.”

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