Meet Laura – Our Operations Director and the definition of the swan analogy. Always calm, no matter how many plates there are to spin.
This week, we sat down with her to talk through her role at London Speech Workshop, what fuels her love for impactful communication, and her top advice for people looking to transform their communication…
1. What led you to work in communication training?
I’m from Liverpool, and when I went to university, I experienced for the first time what it felt like to be judged based on my accent. It was jarring, and it sparked a lifelong interest in the psychology of accents and how they’re perceived. I even began interviewing professors with regional accents to understand their experience in an academic environment, whilst having a non RP accent.
As someone who studied modern foreign languages, I also deeply felt how difficult it is to be your authentic self when communicating in a second language. That’s why I love Sofía Vergara’s line in Modern Family – “Do you know how smart I am in Spanish?”. It’s tongue in cheek but perfectly captures how accents shape identity, and how disconnected someone can feel from their intelligence or personality when speaking in a second language, or when theirs is the only different accent in the room.
At the same time, I’ve always thrived in high-performance, people-centric roles. I’m a perfectionist, and I care deeply about the client experience. Finding London Speech Workshop was like discovering the missing puzzle piece; it brought together my academic interests, love of people, and knack for streamlining systems to help others shine.
2. Tell us more about your role at London Speech Workshop.
I’m the Operations Director here, which means I’m the calm, strategic engine behind the scenes. I oversee our B2C operations and support the B2B side as well, giving me a unique perspective across the business. Both areas come with their own rhythms and challenges, and I love being involved in both sides of the company.
When I joined nearly five years ago, every process was 100% manual – from scheduling to reporting to onboarding. It was incredibly time-consuming and fragile. We had a limited team and no centralised systems. Now, we have a fully functional operational infrastructure with automation, clear workflows, a scheduling system, and data-backed forecasting, that supports a growing client base without compromising service quality.
That evolution didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a process of listening, building, testing, refining, and scaling. Watching the company grow, and knowing I’ve helped architect the systems that enable that growth, has been a huge source of pride.
3. How does the London Speech Workshop approach feel different to other professional environments?
We’re a B Corp, and we live those values every day. This isn’t a place where you stay in your lane – it’s a space where you’re encouraged to pursue your passions, contribute beyond your job title, and learn deeply from other departments.
Everyone gets a seat at the table, and you’re trusted to carve out your own path. It’s an incredible environment for anyone who’s curious, entrepreneurial, or just deeply invested in growing both professionally and personally.
4. What is your favourite London Speech Workshop memory so far?
It’s hard to pick just one! We operate at such a fast pace and execute so much, so often. But becoming B Corp certified was a huge moment. It was years in the making, and the amount of dedication, attention to detail, and integrity that went into the process made that final stamp of approval feel all the more rewarding. It was a proud, shared achievement across the whole team.
On a more personal note, I love our monthly all-company meetings. Our coaches share client wins, and for someone working behind the scenes, it’s such a powerful reminder of the real human impact we’re having. It brings everything full circle.
5. Why is great communication important to you?
Because it’s the foundation of everything. It’s how we connect, how we grow, and how we lead. Being at LSW, surrounded by communication experts and exposed to tools that help you master even the trickiest conversations, is incredibly inspiring.
Great communication doesn’t just help you in work, it helps you show up more confidently and compassionately in your personal life too. For me, it’s become a continuous journey of self-awareness and intentionality – and I genuinely believe it has made me a better leader, colleague, and friend.
6. Tell us about a time that really inspired how you communicate today.
I’m often referred to as ‘The Swan’ – because I stay calm on the surface, even when there’s a lot going on underneath. It’s generally because of my personality type, I’m the opposite of a ‘flapper’, but it also came from years of handling high-pressure situations, during my time as senior cabin crew (such as managing a suspected fire at 36,000 feet!)
In any crisis, your tone and energy become the atmosphere. Whether you’re talking to a disappointed client or leading a team through unexpected change, how you show up defines the experience for everyone else. If you’re grounded, calm, and clear; people will mirror that, even in the most stressful situations. It’s one of the most powerful tools in leadership.
7. What do you love doing outside of London Speech Workshop?
I’m a big foodie – I love trying new food, wines, making up new recipes with the contents of my fridge, and ticking off my restaurant bucket list!
Travel is a huge part of my life and joy – I’ve been lucky enough to visit much of the world through my previous role, and I never tire of discovering new cultures and ways of living. Although I often pressure myself to do everything in the one trip because I know I’m most likely going to want to explore somewhere new, rather than go back to the same place twice.
I like watching make-over TV shows like Grand Designs and Queer Eye, and my favourite genre of books is historical fiction.
Even in my personal life, I’m obsessed with organisation: bullet journaling, colour coding, labelling, you name it! I also love setting personal challenges to keep growing. Last year I became a certified scuba diver and this year I’m working on my press ups!
8. And finally, what advice would you give to anyone looking to start communication coaching?
Lean into it. Allow yourself to be a little vulnerable, and trust that growth happens in those moments of discomfort.
The beauty of London Speech Workshop’s method is that it’s practical and concrete. If, like me, you like structure and clear steps, this is the place for you. You’re not just working on vague goals or being given a blank sheet of paper – you’re given tangible tools you can immediately apply. And there’s always something to work on, we’re all evolving communicators. Just start, and trust that the tools will take you further than you expected.
Want to ask our team about your communication journey?
If Laura has inspired you to start your own communication journey, why not book in a 15 minute Discovery Call with her to learn more about how we can help?
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