Our Story
Since its founding in 2008, MSB Executive has transformed
communications in the workplace by combining professional
performance skills with deep business knowledge.
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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.
Recent Blogs
Three Blogs on Breathing: Part 2
To Speak Well, First Breathe Well Talking: most of us spend many waking hours (and even some sleeping hours!) pouring torrents of language out of our mouths. Have you ever stopped to wonder how your body manages this amazing feat? Unless you have some vocal training –...
Three Blogs on Breathing: Part 1
The topic of breathing arises in practically every coaching session, masterclass and workshop we run at MSB Executive. You’d be forgiven for rolling your eyes at the thought of being taught how to breathe! Surely we already know everything there is to know? After all,...
Why It’s Good To Yawn
A Great Teacher Without saying a word, the woman sitting in front of me clenched her fists, arched her back, opened her mouth as wide as it would go and yawned luxuriantly. As the seconds ticked by, I and my fellow students watched in amazement as she twisted and...
How to Apologise
Apologies have been the centre of attention in the UK news recently. What is a real apology, a half-apology or a non-apology? It is a topic we sometimes discuss with our clients. When things go wrong, when is an apology appropriate and how is it best done? These...
Can AI Improve Your Presentation Skills?
Our Head of Coaching, Nicola Hainey, reviews Microsoft Powerpoint’s new feature: Presenter Coach. An AI tool to help rehearse presentations? In honesty, we were slightly sceptical. However, having reviewed Microsoft’s new Presenter Coach in Powerpoint, we do think...
Christmas and the Rule of Three
3 Minutes of Embarrassment There’s a hilarious home video of a Nativity play in an English village church. It usually goes viral at this time of year. A four-year-old girl doesn’t so much sing as bellow her way through ‘The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy’. The girl, now...
Dive In
Online Meetings
How to Look and Sound Your Best on Video
According to the standard model, when first meeting someone, we make a snap decision about them based on their appearance, the sound of their voice...
Presentation Skills
The Top 3 Traps Leading to ‘Death by Powerpoint’
Most people have suffered from terrible Powerpoint presentations at work. Unfortunately, in the UK government briefing are now bringing bad...
Storytelling
Fighting Fake Facts With Storytelling
In his excellent article in the FT, Tim Harford talks about “The problem with facts”. One interesting example he mentions is the famous claim during...
Nerves
Part 1: How Improv Can Boost Creativity and Collaboration in Business
Why is it that companies such as Facebook, Uber, Apple and Pepsico are part of the growing trend in bringing improv into their employee training...
