About
Here is a bit of background about me.
And my wonderful partner on our
communication coaching, Richard Laing.
James Welsh
My brand of engaging and upbeat, human-centred, training has been enjoyed by clients from sectors from Banking to Petrochemicals.
I have designed and delivered programmes for clients around the world, from Calgary to Kuwait, and from Bangkok to Barcelona. My mission is to empower you in your oral communication, so you do yourself justice in every meeting, conversation, story, and presentation.
I started out as a courtroom lawyer (barrister), working on intensely human conflict cases. Having been involved in a case where my client killed himself during the case, I know how it feels to both succeed and fail when others depend on you as an advisor and an advocate.
I joined a training company and became part of the senior management team. The company made UK history when it became the first stock market listed private company to acquire degree awarding powers, and to then become a university. This change involved high level strategy, intense regulatory compliance, and deep change management. This helped my insight into wider leadership skills.
In 2018 I was awarded the University’s highest honour, a Professorial Seat.
It is common to want to know what is your ‘point of difference’ and why would you use me when there are so many great trainers out there?
Well, my background of spending time in prison cells with serious criminals gives me a different and valuable perspective on life, humanity, biases, passion, and communication under pressure. I have found that clients have found having a trainer from a different professional background as stimulating and refreshing. I am delighted to work with clients from different sectors and work with them on any necessary customisation of any programme for their sector.
Richard Laing
Richard is a highly experienced Voice and Impact Coach who understands the demands today’s business leaders face. His clients include CEOs and board-level executives from leading global institutions such as Merrill Lynch, Nadhi Medical Company, Cheyne Capital, Société Générale, Triton Investments, Studio Indigo, BOOTS, Allianz, Bank of America, BPP, and RWE, among many others.
Richard’s approach centres on Breath, Body, and Vocal preparation—the essential foundations for dynamic impact and presence. He invites clients to explore what it truly means to have Presence and to create Impact through greater self-awareness. By guiding them to reconnect with their point of view and their unique perspective on the world, he helps them find safety and confidence in expression—both physically and mentally, both in what they say and how they say it.
When English is not a client’s first language, presenting can bring an additional layer of challenge. Richard is uniquely positioned to support international speakers; he has worked with executives from Saudi Arabia as well as lawyers and senior professionals from Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, helping them communicate clearly, comfortably, and with authority in English.
Richard also understands first-hand what it means to perform under pressure. As a successful film and television actor and voice artist, he continues to work in high-stakes environments with global audiences and major international productions. Walt Disney, HBO, Warner Bros., Sony, Netflix, the BBC, Omega, and BMW are just some of the organisations he has worked with.
Rooted in the world of performance, Richard’s work is perfectly placed to assess and elevate presence, as well as the physical and vocal aspects of your communication journey.
Enquiries
You can book me directly, or please see
below for my trusted partner organisations
My Partners
I work with a range of trusted individuals and organisations. You can approach any of these wonderful organisations with your training needs, and they will help you, and should you want me to be on their delivery team, I am sure they can make that happen.
Kinch Robinson
A really lovely family run training company, well regarded and trusted by their law firm clients (with some notable non-law clients too). They are friendly, personal and straightforward. I work with Peter and Kath Kinch a lot for a very large range of loyal clients who appreciate the warmth of service. They are also excellent on eLearning, and so it is with them that I have created an epic Advocacy eLearning programme for all your advocacy needs.
Emeritus
A very busy and thriving provider of leadership courses around the world. I have worked with Emeritus on many programmes, mainly in the Middle East, but also in India and North and South America. They build major training journeys for emerging and more senior leaders across large organisations.
PCA
PCA offer something very special and a bit different. They use trainers who are both lawyers and (usually professional) actors. They simulate challenging conversations which play out in front of you. They specialise in communication and leadership. I am a regular lead facilitator for PCA clients.
RL Consulting
RL consulting is the consultancy arm of 18 Red Lion Court (barristers) Chambers. It was founded by Dame Linda Dobbs, with other consultants including Dame Heather Hallet, Judge Peter Rook KC, Commander Simon Foy and others. We offer a consultancy service for the promotion of justice around the world.
Pacifico Partnership
Set up by the inspirational Adam Pacifico, (check out ‘The Leadership Enigma’ podcast) we work with training witnesses for court, and other skills for law enforcement and lawyers. We work with officers from the Met, GMP, and a host of other forces and agencies.