“I knew the numbers inside out. Richard helped me make sure people could see the leadership behind them.”
Jessica T.Director of Sales Operations
Stage Intelligence Coaching
Master your Story.
Lead with Impact.
I work with leaders, founders, speakers and teams to turn their expertise into influence, on stage, in the room and beyond.
Sharpen your story. Project your presence. Amplify your authority.
Find your starting point Or explore the £95 Room ReviewWhere my coaching clients work
The experience behind the approach
I know the room.
I know the stage.
I know what lands.
A career in business. A habit of getting on stage. Coaching that brings the two together.
A little more about RichardWhere to start
What room are you walking into?
Pick the moment that sounds familiar. I’ll show you where we can start.
“A talk that informs but doesn’t move.”
We find the one idea worth building the talk around, shape the story, then rehearse until it sounds like you and holds a big room.
Prepare my keynote Read a client story of working with me“Too much detail, not enough story.”
We cut the pitch back to what the room needs to hear and practise the delivery, so the story leads and the numbers back it up.
Explore pitch coaching Read a client story of working with me“Strong results, but an invisible story.”
We turn the thinking behind the numbers into a message people can follow, remember and act on.
Explore executive coaching Read a client story of working with me“Knowing it all and losing the room.”
We turn deep expertise into clear, memorable talks, so people take away what matters rather than everything you know.
Explore expert coaching Read a client story of working with me“Training that doesn’t stick.”
Practical sessions built around your team’s real presentations and conversations, with honest feedback in the room.
Explore workshops Read a client story of working with me“Thoughts racing ahead of the words.”
Structures and routines that work with a fast, busy mind, so you stay on track and still sound like yourself.
Explore flexible coaching Read a client story of working with me
THE APPROACH
Stage Intelligence.
I developed Stage Intelligence Coaching by bringing three parts of my working life together: creative thinking, corporate experience and practical coaching.
Creative thinking
Find the point, shape the story and make complex ideas easier to follow and remember.
Corporate understanding
Consider the people in the room, the decisions they're making and the pressures they're under.
Coaching that stays human
Test the words aloud, challenge the thinking and rehearse what happens when things don't go to plan.
- StoryWe find the one point that matters, choose the proof and cut what gets in the way. Story makes it clear.
- PresenceYour voice, pace and pauses. We build on what already works, so you still sound like you. Presence makes it credible.
- ImpactWhat you want people to think, feel and do afterwards, and how you handle pushback. Impact makes it matter.
Who I help
Stage Intelligence Coaching for the moments that matter.
Different roles. Different rooms. The same integrated approach.
Senior Leaders and ExecutivesTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemYou know your stuff, but in the boardroom the message gets long, the room drifts, and then the question you didn’t plan for lands.
The solutionYou get to the point first, keep the room with you, and answer hard questions calmly without bluffing.
See how I help leaders
Founders and EntrepreneursTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemInvestors nod along, then pass because they haven’t felt why this has to exist.
The solutionA pitch with a clear story, a clear ask and the confidence to handle the tough questions.
See how I help founders
Pitches, Public Speaking, Keynote and TEDx SpeakersTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemThe idea is good, but the talk is a list of points and nothing in it makes people remember it.
The solutionOne clear story with a strong opening and ending, delivered in a way that sounds like you.
See how I help speakers
Experts and Thought LeadersTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemYou know the subject inside out, but people outside your field nod politely and then don’t act on it.
The solutionYou explain it in plain terms, and people leave understanding it and knowing what to do next.
See how I help experts
Neurodivergent, ADHD and TrainingTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemAdvice like “memorise it” or “just use notes” that fights the way your mind works.
The solutionA way of preparing that suits how you think, so you sound sharp and natural on the day.
See flexible coaching
Teams and OrganisationsTap for the problem and the solutionThe problemClever people who know their subject but each present it differently, and the message gets lost.
The solutionA practical workshop where your people practise on real material and get honest feedback they can use.
Plan a team workshop
Coaching situations
Nine reasons people work with Richard.
People come to coaching for different reasons. Here are nine of the most common situations, and how we can work on each one.
The situationYou have to get people aligned without giving a twenty-minute tour of every detail.
The workShape the main decision, opening and questions so you can lead the room.
The situationYou know the answer, but it arrives five minutes after the meeting.
The workRehearse short response structures and realistic interruptions.
The situationYour expertise is sound but people outside your field lose the thread.
The workFind the point, remove unnecessary detail and test it aloud.
The situationThe proposal makes sense to you but the room hasn't bought in.
The workConnect the idea to your audience's priorities and build a clear ask.
The situationYou have a keynote, company address or important talk coming up.
The workDevelop the story, opening and ending, then rehearse the actual delivery.
The situationStandard advice doesn't fit the way you think or speak.
The workBuild practical structures and preparation routines around you.
The situationThe topic matters and you want to be direct without making things worse.
The workRehearse what to say, what to ask and how to respond.
The situationYour experience isn't quite coming through when you speak.
The workWork on message, pace, delivery and the way you handle the room.
The situationA board meeting, interview, investor discussion or major decision is approaching.
The workPressure-test your message and practise the hard questions.
“Richard over delivered with the quality of the talk, and slides. Learning the power of the pause was great. The keynote went well, and I look to work with him on future projects.”
Terry KChief Strategy Officer, BDACS
More than a coaching session
You won’t leave with advice.
You’ll leave with something you can use.
The right words for an important conversation. A stronger presentation. A clearer way to explain your ideas. Practical tools that help you communicate when it matters.
“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your brains won’t get you anywhere.”
Stage Intelligence Coaching combines focused feedback with useful materials built around your goals.
01 · Your starting point
Know where you stand
Understand what’s working, what needs attention and where to focus first.
02 · Your practical toolkit
Tools built for your room
Practical tools developed for the conversations, presentations and decisions that matter to you.
Your communication progress
Story61 → 84Presence66 → 81Impact57 → 79Starting point Progress
Fictional sample scores. An illustration, not a client result.
03 · Your progress
See what changed
See the difference in how you structure, deliver and land your message.
In the room
Every room is different.The work is making yours listen.
Reviews and testimonials from clients across Google, LinkedIn, Fiverr, Upwork and direct work. Read client reviews
- 1,737+professionals coached
- 40+countries worked in
- 25+years in business and on stage
- £95to start, credited against coaching
Meet Richard
I’ve sat where you’re sitting.
25+ years in boardrooms, plus improv, comedy and a TEDx stage. An unusual route into coaching, but a rather useful one.
I know what it’s like to have something important to say, people to bring with you and no particular desire to sound like everybody else.
I started in corporate roles at Vodafone, Syngenta and JD Sports, where a clear message decided whether a plan went ahead. Then I spent years performing improv, writing sitcom and standing on stages, where the audience tells you straight away if you have lost them.
The full storyCase study
Showing leadership, not just reporting it.
How a strong operational leader worked on communicating the thinking, decisions and leadership behind the results.
Jessica had made £50M in savings and had a strong track record. She understood her performance data inside out. The challenge was making sure the people listening could see the leadership behind the numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Before you ask.
A few things you might want to know before we get started.
A working session. We spend the time on your communication challenge. There is no obligation to continue, and if you do want more coaching we can talk about it at the end.
The Room Review is £95 for 40 minutes. Longer coaching programmes are tailored to your requirements and quoted after we’ve discussed what you need.
Founders, senior leaders, professionals, keynote speakers, experts and organisations. Some clients are preparing for a particular event. Others want to become more effective in the conversations and presentations they handle every day.
It’s a focused, 40-minute working session on one real communication challenge. Bring your pitch, presentation, keynote or difficult conversation. We’ll identify what’s working, what needs attention and the most useful next steps.
We’ll work around how you think, prepare and communicate best. That might mean shorter activities, different rehearsal approaches, visual structures, written takeaways or other adjustments agreed together.
Yes. We can work on the structure, wording, stories and argument behind your presentation, as well as how you deliver it. I can also help you assess whether your slides support the message rather than compete with it.
You request a time that suits you. I confirm it within 24 hours, and you pay once I have said yes. The Room Review is held online, on Zoom.
Think about one challenge: a pitch, presentation, meeting, keynote or difficult conversation. Share a short description of the situation and what you want to be different. It doesn't need to be polished.
You receive your agreed written feedback and next steps, with a clear recommendation for what to focus on next, whether on your own or through further coaching.
The £95 fee comes off any coaching you go on to book. There is no obligation, and I'll recommend what would help most.
What you share is used to prepare for and deliver your session. A recording is made only with your consent. How personal information is handled is set out in the privacy policy.
Yes. Workshops are shaped around your group, your goal and your date, and quoted after a short chat. You can request a tailored proposal.
Your next step
Three ways to begin.
Pick the option that works for you.
Free
The Stage Intelligence Read
Ten questions about your Story, Presence and Impact. In four minutes you see where your communication is strong, where it loses people and what to work on first. No email needed to see your results.
Take the free ReadThe Room Review
Forty minutes on the communication challenge you are facing right now. You bring the situation. We get to work.
£9540 minutes · one to one on Zoom
What happens next
- 01Bring one priority
A presentation, pitch, meeting, keynote or difficult conversation.
- 02Work on the real thing
We identify what works and where your communication loses impact.
- 03Leave with direction
Practical feedback, tailored exercises and a clear next step.
Request a time. I confirm the session within 24 hours. You pay once I’ve confirmed it, then we meet on Zoom.
Download a sample report- 01
Bespoke
Coaching programmes
Tailored coaching for the communication that matters most to you, whether that is a keynote, a pitch, board presence or finding your own way to speak. Programmes start from three sessions and are shaped around your goals, with practical exercises and support as you go.
Explore coaching
Developing a team or organisation? Workshops are shaped around your people and quoted to your brief. Request a tailored proposal →
Get in touch
Tell me about your next room.
No polished brief needed. I aim to reply within 24 hours.
Email: richard@lifeisaspeech.com
Richard Ford - Executive Communication Coaching
Master your Story.Lead with Impact.
I work with leaders, founders, speakers and teams
to turn their expertise into influence, on stage, in the room and beyond.
Sharpen your story. Project your presence. Amplify your authority.
Not sure which? Find your starting point
Developing a team or organisation? Explore team workshops
Does this sound familiar?
You have the substance.
Does the room get it?
You know your subject inside out. The gap is between what you mean and what the room hears, and that gap can be closed.
01 / The challenge
What sounds familiar?
Choose the thought you have had before a big moment.
Nodding is not the same as agreeing. We work out what you want people to do, then build your message around that one ask, so the room knows what happens next.
We find the one idea that deserves to stick, then shape the story and slides around it. Less information, more impact.
The reasoning matters, but so does how people hear it. We make the decision clear, credible and human, without dodging the difficult bit.
You do not need a new personality. We keep your natural voice, then remove the padding so you sound more like yourself on a really good day.
Get comfortable with challenge rather than memorising a script. Practise answers that are direct, steady and actually answer the question.
Turn a head full of expertise into a message people can follow, even when you have to think on your feet.
Build a repeatable way to prepare, reset and stay present, so the stakes do not take over the conversation.
You do not have to fix everything. Start with the one thing that matters most.
02 / The moment
Where does it need to land?
Different rooms. Different pressures. One clearer message.
The struggle: a talk that informs but does not move.
Find the one idea worth building the talk around. Shape the story, then rehearse until it sounds like you and works for the room.
Explore coaching for this situation The struggle: too much detail, not enough story.
Make the opportunity unmistakable, the evidence credible and your answers ready when the questions come.
Explore coaching for this situation The struggle: strong results, but an invisible story.
Put the decision, evidence and next step where a busy leadership audience can find them quickly.
Explore coaching for this situation The struggle: knowing it all and losing the room.
Turn specialist knowledge into an idea your audience can understand, remember and use.
Explore coaching for this situation The struggle: training that does not stick.
Help people feel involved, understand why it matters and leave knowing what to do next.
Explore coaching for this situation The struggle: thoughts racing ahead of the words.
Keep the originality and pace. Build a flexible structure so other people can follow the thinking.
Explore coaching for this situation
Not quite one of these? We can work with the room you are actually walking into.
Your next step
Recognise a few of these?
The free four-minute Stage Intelligence Read helps you find your starting point.
Where my coaching clients work
THE EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE APPROACH
I know the room.
I know the stage.
I know what lands.
A career in business. A habit of getting on stage. Coaching that brings the two together.
A little more about RichardBuilt in boardrooms.
25+ years in global business, working with boards, senior leaders and stakeholders.
Behind the scenes
I've sat in boardrooms around the world and, yes, survived a few dull PowerPoints.
Vodafone, Syngenta and JD Sports. Steering committees, C-suite updates and big decisions made in small rooms. I got very good at being right on paper.
Then I noticed that being right isn't enough. The best idea in the room doesn't always win. The clearest one does.
More of my storyShaped on stage.
Writing, storytelling, comedy and live performance. Knowing how to hold attention, not just ask for it.
Behind the scenes
I've learned from laughs, silences and the occasional joke that deserved a quieter room.
Improv taught me to listen and think on my feet. Sitcom writing taught me structure and timing. The Edinburgh Fringe taught me what it feels like when a room doesn't laugh.
TEDx taught me to build one idea and give it everything.
More of my storyProven in coaching.
Executive communication, keynote and TEDx coaching, with specialist experience supporting ADHD professionals.
Behind the scenes
The work is practical, personal and built around how you think and communicate, rather than a one-size-fits-all script.
The coaching started earlier than most people guess. In 2005 I was training and developing people, and at Vodafone I ran communication coaching clinics for category leads.
More than 1,737 professionals have worked with me, in over 40 countries.
More of my story
Who I help
Stage Intelligence Coaching for the moments that matter.
Different roles. Different rooms. The same integrated approach.
Stage Intelligence Coaching blends story, presence and impact to help you communicate with clarity, confidence and influence, tailored to your role, situation, audience and goals.
THE APPROACH
Stage Intelligence.
I developed Stage Intelligence Coaching by bringing three parts of my working life together: creative thinking, corporate experience and practical coaching.
Creative thinking
Find the point, shape the story and make complex ideas easier to follow and remember.
Corporate understanding
Consider the people in the room, the decisions they're making and the pressures they're under.
Coaching that stays human
Test the words aloud, challenge the thinking and rehearse what happens when things don't go to plan.
- StoryWe find the one point that matters, choose the proof and cut what gets in the way. Story makes it clear.
- PresenceYour voice, pace and pauses. We build on what already works, so you still sound like you. Presence makes it credible.
- ImpactWhat you want people to think, feel and do afterwards, and how you handle pushback. Impact makes it matter.
- The problemYou know your stuff, but in the boardroom the message gets long, the room drifts, and then the question you didn’t plan for lands.The solutionYou get to the point first, keep the room with you, and answer hard questions calmly without bluffing.
Senior Leadersand Executives
See how I help leaders Sample report - The problemYou know the subject inside out, but people outside your field nod politely and then don’t act on it.The solutionYou explain it in plain terms, and people leave understanding it and knowing what to do next.
Experts andThought Leaders
See how I help experts Sample report - The problemThe idea is good, but the talk is a list of points and nothing in it makes people remember it.The solutionOne clear story with a strong opening and ending, delivered in a way that sounds like you.
Pitches, Public Speaking,Keynote and TEDx Speakers
See how I help speakers Sample report - The problemAdvice like “memorise it” or “just use notes” that fights the way your mind works.The solutionA way of preparing that suits how you think, so you sound sharp and natural on the day.
Neurodivergent, ADHDand Training
See flexible coaching Sample report - The problemInvestors nod along, then pass because they haven’t felt why this has to exist.The solutionA pitch with a clear story, a clear ask and the confidence to handle the tough questions.
Founders andEntrepreneurs
See how I help founders Sample report - The problemClever people who know their subject but each present it differently, and the message gets lost.The solutionA practical workshop where your people practise on real material and get honest feedback they can use.
Teams andOrganisations
Plan a team workshop Sample report
Coaching situations
Nine reasons people work with Richard.
People come to coaching for different reasons. Here are nine of the most common situations, and how we can work on each one.
The situationYou have to get people aligned without giving a twenty-minute tour of every detail.
The workShape the main decision, opening and questions so you can lead the room.
The situationYou know the answer, but it arrives five minutes after the meeting.
The workRehearse short response structures and realistic interruptions.
The situationYour expertise is sound but people outside your field lose the thread.
The workFind the point, remove unnecessary detail and test it aloud.
The situationThe proposal makes sense to you but the room hasn't bought in.
The workConnect the idea to your audience's priorities and build a clear ask.
The situationYou have a keynote, company address or important talk coming up.
The workDevelop the story, opening and ending, then rehearse the actual delivery.
The situationStandard advice doesn't fit the way you think or speak.
The workBuild practical structures and preparation routines around you.
The situationThe topic matters and you want to be direct without making things worse.
The workRehearse what to say, what to ask and how to respond.
The situationYour experience isn't quite coming through when you speak.
The workWork on message, pace, delivery and the way you handle the room.
The situationA board meeting, interview, investor discussion or major decision is approaching.
The workPressure-test your message and practise the hard questions.
Richard over delivered with the quality of the talk, and slides. Learning the power of the pause was great. The keynote went well, and I look to work with him on future projects.
More than a coaching session
You won’t leave with advice.
You’ll leave with something you can use.
The right words for an important conversation. A stronger presentation. A clearer way to explain your ideas. Practical tools that help you communicate when it matters.
“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your brains won’t get you anywhere.”
Stage Intelligence Coaching combines focused feedback with useful materials built around your goals.
01 · Your starting point
Know where you stand
Understand what’s working, what needs attention and where to focus first.
02 · Your practical toolkit
Tools built for your room
Practical tools developed for the conversations, presentations and decisions that matter to you.
Your communication progress
Story61 → 84Presence66 → 81Impact57 → 79Starting point Progress
Fictional sample scores. An illustration, not a client result.
03 · Your progress
See what changed
See the difference in how you structure, deliver and land your message.
In the room
Every room is different.The work is making yours listen.
Reviews and testimonials from clients across Google, LinkedIn, Fiverr, Upwork and direct work. Read client reviews
- 1,737+professionals coached
- 40+countries worked in
- 25+years in business and on stage
- £95to start, credited against coaching
Explore reviews by country
Gold countries have featured examples
Choose a featured review country.
What clients say
Clients say it better than I ever could. From 700+ reviews and testimonials.
All locationsClient experience
Simply excellent. Richard is clearly highly experienced in what he does and offered a bunch of tangible value I could take away and implement after just this initial session. Highly recommended.
Read client reviews
1 / 52
Find reviews about what matters to you
Meet Richard
I’ve sat where you’re sitting.
25+ years in boardrooms, on stages and in real conversations.
I know what it’s like to have something important to say, and the pressure that comes with it.
One to One
In a room
On video
Case study
Showing leadership, not just reporting it.
How a strong operational leader worked on communicating the thinking, decisions and leadership behind the results.
Jessica had made £50M in savings and had a strong track record. She understood her performance data inside out.
The challenge was making sure the people listening could see the leadership behind the numbers.
01 / 04 · Discovery
Start on video, find the real story.
Clarified the story and the real impact behind the numbers, so Jessica knew what her audience needed to see.
I knew the numbers inside out. Richard helped me make sure people could see the leadership behind them.
Jessica T.Director of Sales Operations
Start here · Contact Richard
Three ways to start.
Or just get in touch.
Choose what works for you, or send me a message directly. You don’t need everything figured out first.
The Stage Intelligence Read
Ten questions about your Story, Presence and Impact. In four minutes you see where your communication is strong, where it loses people and what to work on first. Your results are personal to you and no email is needed to see them.
What you get
- A clear picture of your Story, Presence and Impact
- Your priority and your next move
- Free, private and quick to finish
- 4 minutes
- 10 questions
- Understand your communication profile
- For a room coming up
The Room Review
Forty minutes on the communication challenge you are facing right now. You bring the situation. We get to work.
£9540 minutes · one to one on Zoom
- 40 minutes on Zoom
- Focus on one communication challenge
- Recording with consent
Request a Room ReviewWhat happens next
- 01Bring one priority A presentation, pitch, meeting, keynote or difficult conversation.
- 02Work on the real thing We identify what works and where your communication loses impact.
- 03Leave with direction Practical feedback, tailored exercises and a clear next step.
Request a time. I confirm the session within 24 hours. You pay once I’ve confirmed it, then we meet on Zoom. The £95 fee is credited against further coaching you book.
Download a sample report 
Coaching programmes
Tailored coaching for the communication that matters most to you, whether that is a keynote, a pitch, board presence or finding your own way to speak. Programmes start from three sessions and are shaped around your goals, with practical exercises and support as you go.
How it works
- Individual goals, set with you at the start
- Practical exercises to use in real meetings and rooms
- Deeper development over time, not a one-off fix
- Tailored coaching, from 3 sessions
- Individual goals and support
- Deeper development over time
Developing a team or organisation? Workshops are shaped around your people and quoted to your brief. Request a tailored proposal or explore team workshops
Contact Richard directly
Tell me about your next room.
It might be a pitch, board meeting, keynote, team workshop or something you’re still figuring out. No polished brief needed. A few lines about what you’re working on is plenty.
Richard FordI read every enquiry personally.I aim to reply within 24 hours.I’ll use your details only to respond to your enquiry. See the privacy policy.
Prefer the old-fashioned way?