Keynote Talks - June 2025

 

"We had Simon come deliver a one hour public speaking workshop to our group of Oxford University student fellows. Simon was brilliant; he engaged with everyone in the room, connected with each student and their own individual concerns, and brought examples to life of speaking under pressure.

We are looking forward to hopefully working with Simon again in the near future."

Oliver (Ollie) Cook, Olympian/World & European Champion, Manager of Oxford University's Sustainable Development Impact Lab.

 

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"Simon runs captivating classes for the Public Policy students at the Blavatnik School of Government. I have learnt the art of story-telling, the skill in answering tricky questions and how to speak confidently in front of an audience.

Simon's personal flare and ability to engage is outstanding. The professional classes have embodied the top quailty teaching that Oxford is renowned for."

Tessa Vincent, Public Policy, Climate Action, Food Waste Reduction, Blavatnik School of Government - February 2022

 

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"A truly enjoyable talk sprinkled with great body language, incredible vocal variety and powerful pauses.

Thanks for this one Simon."

Julian Cereceda, DTM, Toastmasters International

 

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"I just wanted to put on record our warmest thanks for the fabulously informative and spirit-uplifting session today. One bit of feedback already in: "I looooooooved that!"

So the oomph point hit home with someone!

It really was just what I was hoping for."

Dr Catherine Paxton, Divisional Registrar, Social Sciences Division, University of Oxford

 

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"During his sessions in both Brussels and Potsdam, Simon quickly established a strong connection with all of the EWA participants. In addition to providing technical guidance, Simon enabled the EWA participants to discover their own unique motivation and courage to speak more confidently, powerfully and effectively.

In over 20 years of working in international politics and training candidates, I have never seen a more remarkable improvement in speaking abilities in such a short amount of time."

Ian Marquardt, Director of the European Women's Academy, ALDE

 

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"Thank you for gracing us today with your presentation! I've never been so engaged for 10 minutes let alone 3 hours.

Thank you for also sharing your story and bringing us confidence and lowering fear levels about such a necessary item as public speaking.

Imperial College hit a grand slam by working with you."

Yanni Melissas, Sales/Business Development & Entrepreneur

 

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"Packed full of insights into the power of communication and advice on how to maximise the impact and increase the engagement of a presentation."

Katie Butcher, Consultant at Vendigital, Young MCA Masterclass in Communication, Management Consultancies Association

 

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"I'd just like to let you know how well received your recent session was. We've had extremely positive feedback from the MBAs."

Emma Cooper, Careers Consultant, Imperial Business School

 

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"If there's one man who can make public speaking sound easy, it's Simon Bucknall."

Chivas Venture

 

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"Engaging, skilled, personable and memorable in the view of myself and a panel of top international speakers - he simply blew us away!"

Roger Harrop, The CEO Expert & Past President of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA-UK)

 

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"Simon has a rare talent for taking information and presenting it in a memorable and entertaining fashion. His use of strong, meaningful content was augmented with humour and masterful delivery.

When he finished speaking I found myself thinking, 'No, tell me more!'

That said it all for me!"

Phillip van Hooser, MBA, CSP, CPAE, Member, Speaker Hall of Fame, President of the National Speakers Association (NSA-USA)

 

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"Your mastery of the stage and your eloquent use of words made your presentation the winner."

Lindsay Adams, Past President of the Global Speakers Federation

 

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"Simon is an incredibly talented and eloquent speaker."

Darren LaCroix, 2001 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking

 

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"Simon is an engaging speaker who will take you and your organisation from where you are to where you want to be.

Oh, and you will enjoy every step of the way!"

Craig Valentine, 1999 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking

 

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"I had the pleasure of being in Turku, Finland when Simon became the 2008 JCI European Public Speaking Champion.

Simon is a terrifically engaging public speaker who displays the enviable qualities of commitment, passion and preparation to his endeavours.

It also helps, of course, that Simon is a thoroughly decent bloke."                              

Will Noble, Director, Simply Mirror TV

 

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"Very interactive - the tone you set meant audience members were really engaged. I can see why you get such great feedback for these sessions."

Pauline Isherwood, Learning and Development Manager, Shell plc

 

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"Simon is a public speaker of note - he was calm in the frenzy of a live event; he was polished in his delivery; he was a perfectionist; he was Simon Bucknall."

Kevin Harrington, Chairman of Results Through Digital

 

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"You have this amazing ability to captivate the audience... such a pleasure to attend... feedback from my colleagues has been extremely positive as well."                                                      

Harijot Chauhan, Director, Human Resources, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

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"Simon is an inspirational speaker of huge talent with the ability to pass on his skills to others with ease."

Nigel Cutts, Author, Founder, Love at Work Foundation, Principal, Author and Leadership Consultant at Cutts and Cons  

 

                   

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"Simon is without doubt one of the country's top speakers, combining deep subject knowledge with an entertaining and powerful delivery. He is certain to ensure audiences both enjoy his sessions and retain all the information for maximum benefit. Simon's talks are a great experience."                       

Bob Ferguson, Owner, Speaker and Communications Coach at Confident Communications Ltd.

 

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"I continue to be amazed by his storytelling skills - Simon delivers a masterclass in connecting with his audience every time he speaks."

Alexander Lowry, Principal Consultant, PA Consulting Group

 

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"I just wanted to say that your session was most inspirational and I have learnt so much.

I had an opportunity to present to an audience just a couple of days after and it was the most successful public speaking I've ever done."

Agnes Guzik, Category Manager, FM & Trading Assets Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.

 

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