Our Story

Since its founding in 2008, MSB Executive has transformed
communications in the workplace by combining professional
performance skills with deep business knowledge.

Our People

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The MSB Story

MSB Executive are communication skills specialists.

Since its founding in 2008, MSB Executive has delivered pitching, presenting and communication support one-to-one, in groups of all sizes, and at events and conferences. We have an excellent track record of helping our clients to overcome challenges, such as handling difficult questions, speaking with authority and gravitas, and using storytelling techniques to engage an audience.

At MSB Executive we are experts in online communications. We work with our clients to maximise their impact when speaking to camera.

Below is brief outline of our history.

2008

March

Martyn Barmby founds MSB Executive. He uses his background as an actor alongside a successful business career to offer workshops and one-on-one coaching,

April

Martyn delivers MSB Executive’s first workshop: Making the Best Use of Your Voice and Body in Business, for the University of Southampton. Projector bulb blows on the second slide reminding Martyn of the need never to rely on PowerPoint for a workshop.

September

First one-on-one session with client who was a technical expert but hated presenting and, in particular, sales presentations.

2011

March

First programme of one-on-one presentation skills support provided to an entire team. They remain a valued client of MSB Executive to this day.

2012

February

First associate joins the team offering written communication skills support.

November

First Storytelling workshop delivered.

2015

July

Run first workshop for CFA Society of the UK: Communicating Brilliantly Under Pressure. MSB Executive continues to be the communication skills partner of the CFA UK and run online and in person events.

2016

April

MSB Executive runs first of many workshops for Women in Banking and Finance.

2018

April

MSB Executive expands to 10, a mixture of employees and associates.

2020

March

MSB Executive moves entire coaching and workshop operation online as lockdown starts in the UK.

May

Deliver the first of many workshops on Communicating Effectively at Online Meetings.

June

First online masterclass launched.

2021

February

MSB Executive starts work with 100th business client. Biggest sectors are Financial Services, Law, Technology, Energy, Media and Property.

2024

Anniversary Year

We celebrate our 15th birthday by launching the MSB Executive Club. Members receive our brand new quarterly newsletter and benefit from exclusive member events.

Communications partners of the

Logo of the CFA Society UK
Ariba logo: Find us on the Ariba network
Logo for Heart of the City 'Climate Action for SMEs' graduate

Recent Blogs

Accents

Accents

“The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain” Once upon a time, a voice coach might have asked you to repeat this sentence over and over until you were placing your vowels in exactly the right region of the soft palate. Thank goodness the days of elocution lessons,...

Three Top Tips for Inspiring Presentations

Three Top Tips for Inspiring Presentations

A couple of weeks ago I was at the Institute of Physics. There I watched an excellent presentation given by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society. The audience were hanging on his every word. What did he do to achieve that? Here are the three...

Preparing for High-Stakes Interviews Part 2: Kemi Badenoch

Preparing for High-Stakes Interviews Part 2: Kemi Badenoch

In Part 1, I discussed handling challenging questions. As an example, I used Boaz Weinstein’s interview with Investor’s Chronicle. This week, let's flip the script and explore how to ask challenging questions effectively. Challenges of Asking Questions We often assist...

Preparing for High-Stakes Interviews Part 1: Boaz Weinstein

Preparing for High-Stakes Interviews Part 1: Boaz Weinstein

Fielding Tough Questions We are often asked by clients to help them prepare to deal with tough questions in high-pressure situations. Listening to two completely different interviews over the past couple of weeks has highlighted some key lessons on this topic – not...

Dive In

Presenting to Camera

Online Meetings

Powerpoint

Body Language