Good Question. I am ….
Founder of Maria Franzoni Ltd – a speaker bureau doing things differently.
Licensed office and “Elder” (long serving) at The London Speaker Bureau – named “The only international Speaker Bureau” by the New York Times.
A founding member and current co-Chair of the EASB European Association of Speaker Bureaus.
Director of Operations at We Do Things Differently, a cultural change consultancy.
Founder of Speaking Business – providing top training for speakers wanting to create successful and profitable speaking businesses.
Host of the Speaking Business Podcast, where every week I talk to one of the brilliant speakers on my bureau roster and give you a sneak peek into the person who is the speaker behind the mic.
“Boss” (or maybe I should say bossy) to a small but mighty team of hard working fun individuals who have become my extended family.
A serial innovator, constantly doing things differently and pushing the envelope to improve what and how we do things.
Hungry to keep learning from the best and privileged to work with some of the leading experts in the world through my businesses.
To support established speakers who want to enter into new markets, develop new content, develop longer relationships with clients, move into executive learning/masterclasses;
To provide great content and learning for speakers starting out, experts in their areas that now want to move into the business of speaking and need guidance/assistance.
Mary Tillson is our head of Learning. She is a highly experienced management and leadership development Principal Consultant with international experience and has previously held leadership roles, both within the training industry, for OnTrack International, GBS Corporate Training, and also for American Express.
Jamil Qureshi is one of today’s foremost practitioners of performance enhancing psychology and is an expert in high performing teams. Having spent many years working with the world’s elite, he is in a genuinely unique position to define ‘what makes the difference’. Jamil has built a hugely successful 7 figure Speaking Business and shares how he did it with you.
Jack Milner enjoys simultaneous careers as a director, producer, writer and business facilitator. He has over 20 years experience helping organisations and individuals articulate and memorably communicate their ideas. He helps top speakers, comedians, theatre and soap stars and Speaking Business Academy students to perform at their best.
James Pearce is one of the UK’s leading media trainers. With two decades of BBC broadcasting behind him, his current clients range from some of the country’s top executives to the England football teams. James has interviewed all 5 of the most recent Prime Ministers.
Neil Armstrong is our go to Showreel expert. He has been making films and TV programmes for over 33 years. Neil’s credits include ‘Alter Ego’ with Jon Culshaw, ‘Renford Rejects’,“Location, Location, Location”, “House Doctor” and the “Teletubbies”. “He is accomplished, experienced and unflappable, as well as being great fun to work with.
Chris Wharton is our design and technical partner from 2nd Floor who offers branding and website packages. Chris’ professional experience spans over 15 years in web and digital. Chris has a wide range of skills including digital consultancy, UI design, UX and web build, sketch and illustration and project management.
Jazz singer and vocal coach Jimmy Cannon teaches techniques to sustain and protect the most important instrument in speaking; your voice. Jimmy has toured and recorded with Sir Tom Jones, The Commitments, Rodriguez, Roger Taylor, and has appeared on ‘The One Show’ and ‘This Morning’.
James Kettle is our professional script and speech writer with extensive experience of working with A-list talent – including TV personalities, comedians, sportsmen, business leaders and front-bench politicians. He has created bespoke material for several hundred corporate and public speaking engagements.
Sian Jones is Head of Getting things done. As well as being Maria’s right hand woman and second brain at Maria Franzoni Ltd, supporting Maria’s work with both clients and speakers, Sian also assists with the smooth running of the Speaking Business including content and events.