Public Speaking Training Courses
Get an easy, daily routine of exercises and strategies to help you speak the way you’ve always wanted to speak.
Sat 9th May 10-4pm
Stroud - The Sub Rooms
£300 £150 early bird
Who Is This Course For?
If you can think clearly but your voice or delivery doesn’t always match your ideas, this one-day course is for you. You do not need to be “a natural speaker”. You just need a willingness to practise.
This workshop is ideal for: presentations, meetings, pitches, training, interviews, panels, Q&A, and any moment where you need to sound composed and be understood.
What You’ll Achieve
Instead of hoping you’ll feel confident on the day, you’ll learn a simple routine you can run before you speak, and a set of strategies you can use while you’re speaking, so you stay clear, calm, and engaging even under pressure.
Articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently
Stay calm and in control under pressure
Keep people engaged and land your message
How to prep even when you’re short on time
What The Day Looks Like
Most public speaking training focuses on “tips” or performance.
This day focuses on simple, effective exercises changing habits and leaving with a meaningful way to practice and implement what you’ve learned.
Session One
Step One - how to gift yourself space to think and your listener time to absorb.
Step Two - how to centre your breath and stay physically grounded and relaxed.
Step Three - how to avoid vocal tags, filler words and unnecessary hesitation.
Lunch
Enjoy the Central Bar And Kitchen onsite, wander into Stroud to sample the delicacies at many of the stalls in the award-winning Saturday morning market or the Five Valleys Food Hall or visit one of many local cafe’s including Star Anise and Woodruffs.
Session Two
Step Four - structures to get your thoughts across clearly and concisely.
Step Five - the 9 Step Prep approach, even when you are short of time.
Session Three
Step Six - Rhetorical devices that keep your listening hooked.
Step Seven - Putting it all in practice and next steps.
Walk away with a toolkit of exercises and experiences that with practice will enable you to speak the way you’ve always wanted to speak.
About The Course Leader
Ashley Howard is a voice and communication coach with over 18 years experience and an MA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Ashley has worked with individuals and teams in, businesses and organisations the likes of Microsoft, Uber, Google, Oxford University, NHS and Lloyds.
Ashley is a pragmatic coach, who helps people quickly identify their challenges and equips them with actionable solutions that enables meaningful change.
What People Are Saying
Allison O’Gorman | Lawyer at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
“An expert in his field! Excellent practical exercises and insights. Highly recommended to anyone looking to improve their communication and presentation skills in any way.”
Dr Paul Craddock | Cultural Historian and Author of Spare Parts
“I came to Ashley to help with speech, media and communication skills in advance of my book release. He was incredible and I recommend him to everyone.”
Lawson Steele | Carbon Strategist
Dr Asha Kishore | Head of Clinical Excellence Aster Medcity
“Fantastic teacher! Skilled, knowledgeable, patient, flexible and understanding. He instills confidence and optimism. An enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable journey!”
“Superbly insightful, very calm and understated. A real pleasure to work with.”
Roman Stahlman | Actor
Dr Carolina Ramirez-Figueroa | Senior Research Tutor Royal College of Art
“Ashley has been a fantastic coach, he has been helping me to improve my communication skills. He is highly professional and I couldn't recommend him more.”
“I worked with six coaches before and Ashley is by far the most experienced and professional coach I've ever worked with. His knowledge and techniques are outstanding.”
Pilar Sanchez Roa | Commercial Manager at QinetiQ
“Highly recommend! I’m much more effective and confident in my communication skills during business reviews, meetings and presentations.”
George Dikaios | Resilience & Business Support Officer House Of Commons
“Ashley is excellent! Professional, deeply knowledgable, always supportive and creative. I saw immediate improvement in the way I spoke and my confidence. Highly recommended.”
Antoaneta Pop | CEO R.E.P.R.E.S.E.N.T
“Great coach. Easy to work with! Quickly understands what you really need and helps you to accomplish it! Very knowledgeable and I would definitely recommend him!”
Mahmoud Alesheikh | TV and Radio Senior Presenter BBC
“I am very lucky and privileged to be trained by Ashley. The training helped me to feel so much more competent and confident as a news anchor. Thanks!”
Get Your Early Bird Price
Date and Times
Saturday 9th May 2026
10am to 4pm
Venue
The Sub Rooms in Stroud
Travel
Train - 3 min walk from Stroud Train Station
Car - 6 min walk from Five Valleys Car Park, Stroud
Group Size
Capped at 15 places so that you get individual attention.
Price
Includes the full one-day workshop plus your take-home practice routine.
Early Bird (before 15th March): £150
Standard: £300
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No, it’s optional. You’ll get to practice in small groups and opt into speaking in front of the whole group if and when you feel ready.
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That’s expected. We’ll work through some in-the-moment strategies to help you manage your nerves and get in control.
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Both. Beginners get a clear foundation. Experienced speakers tighten clarity, control, and impact.
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If you need to cancel, please email me as soon as possible.
Cancellations made 30 days or more before the course date will receive a full refund.
Because the venue charges the full hire fee within 30 days, cancellations made within 30 days of the course are not refundable.
If you can’t attend within 30 days, you are very welcome to transfer your place to someone else (just let me know their name and email).
Your booking includes written handouts and post-course video/audio of the exercises. These are provided to support your practice after the workshop.
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The course is held at The Sub Rooms in Stroud. The venue has level or ramped access at the front, an adapted ground-floor toilet, and a hearing loop in the George Room (this space is on the ground floor).
If you are blind or partially sighted, Deaf or hard of hearing, or have any other access requirements, please get in touch before booking (or immediately after booking). I’m very happy to adapt the day, and can provide large-print and/or digital handouts in advance where helpful.
Podcasts | Articles | Videos
How To Fix A Monotone Voice
How Do I Stop Talking So Fast
How To Get A Deeper Voice
Keep In The Loop