About us

Alison is an international education consultant, former senior examiner for ESB International, and author of the new book 'Say It Like You Mean It'.  With over 25 years assessing and developing spoken communication across the globe, she brings unparalleled insight into what distinguishes competent speakers from compelling ones.   Her upcoming book, 'Say It Like You Mean It', introduces her sensory-based oracy pedagogy.

She has a Speech and Drama background and trained at the prestigious Dartington College of Arts in the early nineties, before completing an English and Drama degree (Joint Hons) at Lancaster University in 1997, which is where she met Janine. 

After graduation, Alison worked for the National Youth Service and in Teaching, before founding her own Speech and Drama Training business.

Latterly, Alison spent 9 years with English Speaking Board (International), Ltd -   as a Senior Examiner and former Head of Business Development for Schools - where she authored multiple Ofqual accredited communication qualifications for ESB, shaping standards used globally, delivered CPD for examiners and hundreds of teachers across the world, spoke for Ofsted at their Headteachers' literacy conference, contributed to the Oracy Inquiry in 2019, and has assessed thousands of learners from 4 to adult.  

Most recently, Alison traveled to Beijing with Kim to run an intensive LAMDA course at a school there.

As well as founding 'Speaking Solutions' with Janine, Alison also works as a consultant for 'Noisy Classroom' an organisation that specialises in the delivery of critical oracy in schools, predominantly through the development of debating skills and public speaking training. 

Passionate about making oracy skills accessible to all, Alison's infectious enthusiasm and supportive manner empowers even the least confident to develop confidence in their abilities to deliver engaging, dynamic presentations. 

In her spare time, Alison is a trustee for the Multiple Sclerosis charity AIMS, which she founded with her husband in 2018. 

After gaining a BA (Joint Hons) in English and Drama, Janine continued in education to gain a teaching qualification before moving on to work with learners of all ages and abilities. 

Her work has been a journey through education from many different aspects, including directing a Theatre-in-Arts Company exploring GCSE & A Level texts and devising and delivering training.  After varying teaching posts, for independent, mainstream and SEND education providers, she currently delivers consultancy in presentation skills, communication, speech and drama and educational programmes.  

Janine has extensive experience designing communication programmes for SEND learners - a critical specialism ensuring truly inclusive practice.  Drawing from her wealth of experience in devising programmes of education and syllabuses in Communication, Citizenship, Drama, English Language and Literature, and African Griot Culture, bringing multicultural perspectives to communication pedagogy, in her role with AGIDA CIC. Janine is a founder member of ‘Speaking Solutions’ and is enjoying every moment.

Janine also worked for the English Speaking Board (International) Ltd, as an examiner, trainer and moderator, working extensively with SEND centres.

Janine believes communication builds confidence and is a great advocate of breaking down barriers, to enable all, to have their say in a respectful, confident and empowering way and her experience is the essence of what makes her approach and understanding unique and accessible. 

Kim brings a distinctive blend of industry insight and pedagogical depth to her teaching. As a working actor and voice artist with two decades of experience, she draws on current professional practice to inform her classroom approach, ensuring that learners benefit from contemporary, real-world expertise.

Her grounding in LAMDA training began early. As a young performer she completed all Solo Acting, Verse and Prose, and Musical Theatre grades with distinction — an early model of the high expectations and disciplined skill-building that underpin the Speaking Solutions ethos. Kim now channels that same rigour into her own teaching, helping students develop confident, expressive, and technically secure spoken communication.

Kim’s formative years in youth theatre, followed by her selection for the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (2012) and professional actor training at Italia Conti and the Guildford School of Acting (First Class Honours), give her a strong command of both academic and vocational pedagogy. She understands how performance, communication, and learning intersect — and how structured practice supports lasting progress.

Central to Kim’s teaching is a commitment to individualised learning. She recognises that students bring different strengths, needs, and learning profiles, and she works deliberately to understand these differences. Her relational, responsive approach reflects the Speaking Solutions belief that high expectations and high support must sit side by side.

Kim teaches Public Speaking, Verse and Prose, Reading for Performance, Acting, and Musical Theatre across Speaking Solutions programmes. Most recently, she joined Alison in Beijing to deliver an intensive LAMDA course, bringing her adaptable pedagogy and professional insight to an international cohort of learners.