The people behind
your progress.
We're a team of specialists brought together by one shared belief - that communication can change everything.
The team that keeps everything running and makes sure every client feels supported from day one.
James Percy-Smith
Founder & Managing Director
Shaunagh Shannon
Head of Coaching
Tiffany Skill
Operations Coordinator
Yasmin Keita
Associate Coach & Client Success Lead
Nicole Gilmer
Corporate Sales & Marketing Lead
Specialists in the Percy-Smith Method™, trained and vetted before working with a single client.
Emma Riches
Associate Coach
Drawing on a decade of professional performance experience on stage and screen, Emma helps clients develop a stronger clearer voice, greater confidence, and a more engaging presence. As a native RP speaker one of her specialisms is Accent Softening, she teaches all sessions in this accent so you can fully immerse yourself in the sounds you are learning. She is one of our coaches who works both with the Adult and Kids clients and delights in helping them find and use their voice effectively to reach their speech goals. If you are feeling nervous, a non-native speaker or someone who struggles with mumbling and rushing then Emma is the coach for you. She breaks everything down into simple steps and supports you at every stage to ensure that not only understand the techniques but can seamlessly integrate them into your everyday life. Emma can't wait to help you become our next success story!
Caitlin Wood
Associate Coach
A renowned performer in British classical theatre, Caitlin understands the skills required to adapt language and physicality to deliver confident presentations to a variety of audiences. She came to The Elocution Coach after realising that the skills involved in performing and communication can be interchangeable. With a natural West Country accent, Caitlin understands the difficulties that can come with accent softening. Caitlin loves physical work and believes in the vocal-body connection within public speaking. As a children’s presenter, Caitlin can quickly bond with younger clients, supporting them on their journey through 11+, college, and university interviews. For adults, her primary focus is helping female-identifying people in male-dominated industries find their way in high-pressure meetings and presentations. Facilitating both 1:1 sessions and group classes, Caitlin brings focused feedback, adaptable direction, and the energy of a high-energy cheerleader.
Sarah Hill
Associate Coach
From debating with her brothers around the dinner table to presenting at a Philosophy conference on the East Coast of America, Sarah has grown up witnessing the power of effective communication. Now an Actor, Formula 1 presenter and Elocution coach, Sarah is keen to unlock and refine the tools in others to express themselves with confidence. Clients range from Executives working on pitch presentations, to young people preparing for their first day of school. Sarah also played competitive football growing up and went to the States to compete alongside receiving a First Class Honours Degree in Theatre with a Philosophy minor. Her sporting background has influenced the way she coaches significantly - it is very much a dynamic, collaborative approach to client development where Sarah is able to quickly grasp learning styles to maximise the sessions. Sarah's favourite topics include tones of voice, the art of persuasion, storytelling and commanding the space. Clients can expect a very practical session with constructive feedback throughout.
Alisha Denton
Associate Coach
Kate Donnachie
Senior Associate Coach
Every kids coach is DBS checked, Percy-Smith Method™ trained, and genuinely passionate about working with young people.
Scott Henderson
Senior Kids Coach
Scott has worked as an actor and drama teacher since graduating drama school in 2018. Having performed on stage and screen, and taught children from ages 6-16, he now also uses his performance and communication skills to help young people find their voice and confidence - in whatever setting is for them. With Kids clients, Scott works on areas including articulation and clarity, breathing technique and expressive voice, physical communication and eye contact, public speaking and interview technique, and conversation skills. Kids clients can expect to improve the clarity and control over their words, finding relaxation and confidence to communicate more effectively and create engagement for their listener. Scott enjoys getting to know his students and working out what approach works best for them - we don’t all learn in the same ways, and everyone’s voice is unique to them.
Gina Jamieson
Kids Coach
Gina is an experienced coach, having taught over 500 lessons with the elocution coach, working with children with a wide range of needs and goals. Gina trained as an actor at LAMDA and Manchester School of Theatre, receiving a First Class BA honours degree in Acting in 2020. Since then she’s performed at theatres across the UK, often as an actor-musician, in new plays and Shakespeare, and she has a keen interest in language and communication. She joined The Elocution Coach as she wanted to help children find their individual voice, feel more confident communicating and find enjoyment in speaking. Her specialisms include articulation, storytelling, acting, presenting and interview skills, and creativity, and she always aims to make sessions fun and engaging for children of all ages. Her clients range from 6 year olds needing a little help organising their thoughts, to 17 year old Oxbridge interviewees. Gina is friendly, approachable and always ready to adapt to the needs of each child. She loves dogs, travelling, theatre and food, and hearing all about her students ideas and adventures!
Angela Nesi
Kids Coach
Angela has a background in performance, storytelling and education. She trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has worked across theatre, film and television as an actor, writer and filmmaker. She’s also a mum, and understands how a child’s ability to communicate can hugely affect their confidence, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as their creative and academic potential. Alongside her film and writing projects, Angela has worked extensively as a drama facilitator in schools with pupils from nursery age through to Year 11. As a coach, she helps children and young people build confidence in their communication, strengthen and stretch their voices, express their ideas clearly and develop a stronger sense of self-expression and agency. Angela always brings a sense of fun into her sessions - she believes that we all learn best when we feel relaxed, engaged and able to enjoy the process.
Naomi Colette
Kids Coach
As a coach, Naomi is driven to help children become clear, confident and expressive in who they are and how they communicate. Through engaging and supportive sessions, she works with young people to build confidence, strengthen self-belief and develop the skills they need to express themselves with clarity and conviction. Her approach focuses on making learning feel fun, rewarding and empowering - so children not only grow, but genuinely enjoy the process. This work is deeply personal to Naomi. Growing up, she struggled with confidence and self-expression, and now knows how much of a difference it can make when those skills are nurtured early. That’s why she’s passionate about giving children the tools she wishes she had - helping them find their voice, believe in their abilities and step forward with confidence. For parents, Naomi’s goal is simple: to support your child in becoming more self-assured, capable and comfortable in themselves - both in the classroom and beyond!
Montana Rose
Kids Coach
We're Growing. Come Grow With Us.
We're always on the lookout for passionate, skilled coaches and operations people who share our values. If you believe communication can change lives, and you want to be part of a team that proves it every day, we'd love to hear from you.
We don't always advertise roles publicly. If you think you'd be a great fit for The Elocution Coach, send us a speculative application - we read every one.
