Real feedback from the people and organisations we've supported
Charisma, Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Testimonials
Morgan McCarthy - In-Person Workshop
“Just wanted to email and say thanks to you all for preparing and organising a brilliant workshop on Friday, and thanks to Richard for delivering, especially with an increasingly restless audience due to train and flight times etc.
I was really surprised at how into it many of our people got – we’ve had some initial feedback already that a number of people would like this included as part of their personal development objectives.
I noticed a lot of people in the afternoon listening a lot more even when chatting over a beer, so at the very least that’s a good outcome.”
Lisa Syer - Leadership / Wellbeing Sessions
“Richard, you certainly made an impact on my life. In taking this next step I’m mindful of creating a better balance in my life and for making space for the things that are truly important to me. This is something that I have known but only realized how important it is from you in the sessions that you conducted for us. Sometimes we not only need someone to remind us of these things, but also to have them explain why they are so important. Thank you for that!”
Lisa Syer, HR Director Europe, Scotiabank
Gyongyver Fekete-West - In Person Workshop
“A huge thank you from all of us for such an engaging and thought‑provoking session.
We really appreciated the way you created space for openness and honest discussion, which drove a high level of engagement and led to excellent conversations as well as very practical takeaways. Everyone was clearly engaged and open, and a great number of useful ideas and insights emerged from the discussions.
We only wish we’d had more time with you, but as you can imagine we had a lot to get through during the 1.5‑day team offsite. Even within that timeframe, the impact of the session was very clear.
Thanks again, it was a real pleasure having you join us, and we very much hope there will be an opportunity to work together again in the near future.”
Gyongyver Fekete-West
Managing Legal Counsel – NatWest
Jon Bartholomew - Charisma Workshop
“I wanted to express my gratitude at the time you spent with the team and I. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed every element of the course even though some of them felt discomfort through some of the exercises!
I have spoken to all of the group today who all believe that what they have learnt has had a profound impact on their lives and they are all so grateful for Sophos funding such important coaching.
I found the course eye opening and full of tools that can be used to make life and business so much easier. Thank you again.”
Jonathan / Jon Bartholomew, UK Sales Channel Director, Sophos
Neelam - Coaching / Personal Development
“I have used Richard services on two previous occasions. I have always found his calm, logical and concise way of thinking has brought me huge benefit. I was at the start of my work with Richard continually struggling with many aspects of my life. I am now much more successful and happy than I ever was before.”
Neelam
John - Transforming a CEO’s Leadership Presence
“Thanks to Pinnacle’s Charisma Masterclass and coaching, I’ve experienced a profound transformation in my leadership style. I’ve become more confident in connecting with my team, which has significantly boosted motivation and performance across the company.”
John
Public Speaking & Presentation Coaching Testimonials
Sarah J. - Board-level Presentation Anxiety
“I’d done a couple of presentation skills courses before, but they always felt a bit surface-level. The techniques worked in low-stakes situations, then completely vanished the moment I was in front of the board. Richard was the first person who actually helped me understand why I was panicking. Once he walked me through the psychology behind my stress response and showed me how to interrupt it in real time, everything shifted. I don’t feel like I’m ‘managing’ nerves anymore – I respond differently under pressure now.”
Sarah J., Chief of Staff
David K. - Leadership Communication
“When I started working with Richard, my only aim was to stop dreading our company all-hands. Once we’d dealt with that, things went in a very different direction than I expected. We got into the finer points of leadership communication – using silence, pacing, tone, and body language to actually move a room, not just get through a slide deck. It’s had a noticeable impact on how people respond to me as a leader.”
David K., Global Head of Sales
Priya M. - Conference Speaking
“For years, industry conferences were something I just gritted my teeth and got through. I’d put in the preparation, but the experience never felt natural. Richard’s coaching isn’t a list of tips; it’s a very thoughtful, evidence-based way of looking at how you show up in a room. For the first time, I feel steady and present when I’m on stage. It’s rare to find coaching that genuinely changes how you operate day-to-day, but this has.”
Priya M., Chief Executive Officer
James L. - Executive speaking anxiety
“I’d recommend Richard to any senior leader who knows they’re holding back in the room because of speaking anxiety. He didn’t try to squeeze me into a generic ‘executive speaker’ mould. We worked with how I naturally think and communicate, using recordings from my real meetings and town halls. The result is a style that feels like me – just clearer, more confident, and more compelling. It’s been one of the more valuable professional investments I’ve made.”
James L., Chief Operating Officer
Michael S. - Board presentation confidence
“I’ve always found presenting at board level uncomfortable, even after decades in the industry. I was fine in smaller settings, but a formal presentation would completely throw me. Working with Richard has changed that. We unpacked the specific triggers that were setting off my stress in those high-pressure meetings and built a way of preparing that actually works for me. I don’t walk into quarterly reviews bracing for impact anymore; I walk in prepared and composed.”
Michael S., Chief Financial Officer
Rachel V. - Leadership communication purpose
“What stood out to me about this coaching is how different it felt from traditional speech training. We didn’t spend our time polishing a ‘performance’. Richard pushed me to rethink what leadership communication is actually for. Once I stopped obsessing over how I sounded and started paying attention to what my audience needed from me, a lot of the self-doubt eased off on its own. It’s made me a calmer, more empathetic, and ultimately more effective leader.”
Rachel V., Litigation Partner
David L. - Global stakeholder presentations
“As my remit became more global, I suddenly found myself presenting to teams and stakeholders across multiple regions, often late at night or very early in the morning. The pressure ramped up fast. Richard helped me build the skills not just to deliver updates, but to get people genuinely aligned and motivated. His insight into how small shifts in posture, movement, and tone change a room’s energy has been incredibly useful in those high-stakes calls and live events.”
David L., Managing Director
Sarah K. - Investor deck coaching
“Richard’s coaching is very grounded in real life. From day one, we worked on my actual investor deck, not hypothetical scenarios. He watched me run through it, piece by piece, and gave specific, practical feedback that I could implement before the next meeting. Having a confidential space to try things, get honest reactions, and refine the message was exactly what I needed to feel confident walking into those rooms.”
Sarah K., Founder & CEO
Marcus T. - Keynote confidence
“I used to get stuck in my head for days before a major keynote – running through worst-case scenarios and imagining everything that could go wrong. Richard gave me a way to understand what my brain was doing and concrete tools to interrupt that spiral. It’s a strong word, but it really has been a game-changer for me. I have far more control over my energy on stage now, and I’m surprised to find I actually enjoy speaking at events I used to dread.”
Marcus T., Managing Partner
Workplace Wellbeing & Mindfulness Testimonials
City of London Corporation & Police
“Our work with Pinnacle aimed to not only provide support to those experiencing psychological ill-health, but also to plan psychological rehabilitation programmes and return to work plans.
Pinnacle has met our requirements and gone beyond expectations, adding value to the Occupational Health Service. They have achieved this through excellent one-to-one work with clients, feedback to colleagues facilitating good case management and advice to managers to inform their decision making in high risk environments.
What we appreciate the most is their ability to access, prioritise and work towards a common goal of a successful rehabilitation and return to work.”
Ginny Giles, Occupational Health Manager, City of London Corporation & Police
Kate Pieroudis - Mindfulness Workshops
“Working with Pinnacle has been great. The sessions have yielded great feedback…We look forward to working with Pinnacle next year for more mindfulness sessions to assist stroke survivors in their recovery.”
Kate Pieroudis, Back to Work Manager, The Stroke Association
