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Our Team

Our people

Coaches and specialists from business, the stage and broadcast media, each an expert in how people speak, listen and lead.

  • Hugo Simpson

    One of the UK’s leading public speaking trainers.

    Hugo Simpson founded Laughton Scott in 2008, building a trusted communication consultancy that works with CEOs, senior leaders and managers across a range of industries.

    His work extends beyond the corporate world, supporting professional athletes to communicate effectively in high-pressure environments.

Our approach

Practical, tailored training that helps every client find an authentic and compelling voice.

  • Adam Smith

    One of the most established, knowledgeable, and successful sports broadcasters in the industry.

    He has a portfolio of fascinating projects, including lead commentating for DAZN, hosting a show on TalkSport, writing for The Ring, and running a growing channel — The Voice of Boxing.

    Adam enjoyed three decades at Sky Sports as their former Head of Boxing and long-time broadcaster — where his iconic line “Lift off for AJ” still echoes through their corridors and in the homes of sports lovers everywhere.

  • Ben Woollen

    He has been in the business of communication all his life.

    He has spent the past decade using his gift to motivate, enthuse and inspire in the world of business, working with a wide range of clients across all sectors – from recent graduates to senior executives.

    His knowledge, enthusiasm and energy empowers the most experienced writers and speakers alike, making an extraordinary difference in just a day.

  • Tim Cullen

    There really is no-one better qualified to teach the delicate art of negotiation.

    He is Director of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation at the Said Business School at Oxford University, where he teaches vital diplomacy and mediation skills to large corporations, government bodies, and military organisations from around the world. During his career at the World Bank he served both as Chief Spokesman and Director of Information and Public Affairs.

  • Caron Samaru

    He combines a successful track record in business with a natural sensitivity and warmth for others.

    Living in London since moving from Trinidad as a child, he forged a successful career in sales and marketing. As National Sales Manager at JVC he led a 13 strong team that increased sales by 27%.

    He has since trained as an actor, and uses the skills he gained to help others project themselves with confidence, clarity, and warmth. Never lecturing or presenting easy solutions, he empowers clients to find their own answers to the toughest business problems.

  • Kate Russell-Smith

    A fantastic actor, able to slip into uncannily realistic impersonations of your worst business nightmares.

    From negative employees to stubborn clients, she uses her training and experience in theatre and television to create realistic, challenging scenarios.

    Her dynamic sessions produce dramatic improvements in communication skills, personal impact, interviewing techniques, team building, and leadership. She can also provide coaching in voice work, projection, posture, and overall body language.

  • Sam Bowen

    He has established himself as a crisis and reputation management expert.

    He advised and represented the board of University of East Anglia following its servers being hacked during what became known as Climategate and prepared the senior spokespeople before a Parliamentary Select Committee. He advised the board of EMI during its acquisition by Universal Music and was the spokesperson for Express Newspapers during the Leveson Enquiry.

  • Theo Landey

    He worked as a professional actor for more than 20 years in Hollywood, the UK and his native South Africa.

    Theo brings his acting skills and energy into his training and helps clients become receptive listeners, more confident and charismatic personalities that present well under pressure.

    Brought up between London and Johannesburg, Theo has also lived in Los Angeles, New York and Paris which has given him a deep understanding of different cultures, languages and human interaction.

  • Rainer Wiseman

    He has enjoyed a distinguished career on stage and screen, gracing theatres across the globe.

    Rainer is passionate about passing on his craft and experience.

    It began when a director of QVC TV needed help dealing with nerves prior to a Town Hall meeting with his US contemporaries.

    Since then, he has enjoyed coaching everyone from the political elite at the World Economic Forum to primary school students.

  • Beatrice Herrmann

    Over the last 25 years, she has worked across multiple jurisdictions, cultures, and industries.

    Dr. Beatrice Herrmann holds a PhD in Business Administration (Dr. rer. oec.) from the University of Berne, Switzerland.

    Beatrice is a tutor and coach at the Programme on Negotiation at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and teaches at the Small Countries Financial Management Programme, taking place in Oxford and on the Isle of Man.

  • Ashleigh McLellan

    She coaches for improved self-awareness, focus, confidence, and capability in top talent.

    Ashleigh brings the science of our evolved brain, emotions, and motivations to understand what happens to us when under pressure—and what to do about it.

    She specialises in Compassion Focused Coaching (CFC), emotional intelligence, resilience, psychological safety, and compassionate leadership.

  • Chris Haynes

    Adept at turning complex issues into simple, compelling messages — both verbally and in writing.

    Over 24 years at Sky, he served as Director of Communications for Sky Sports, Sky News, and Team Sky.

    Now working as a consultant for the past five years, he specialises in Crisis Communications, Strategic Communications Planning, and shaping, refining, and delivering impactful messaging.

  • Diana Hogbin-Mills

    A practitioner in organisational psychology specialising in cultural change and leadership.

    She works with leaders and teams to navigate complex systems and behavioural dynamics, enabling sustainable, people-centred change.

    She supports organisations in aligning purpose, culture, and capability. Her approach combines academic rigour with practical insight drawn from cross-sector experience, underpinned by a strong belief in the power of collaboration.

  • Trevor Brown

    A highly accomplished and qualified executive, personal and sports coach.

    Trevor’s had a distinguished career in the Metropolitan Police.

    Building on this success, Trevor went on to lead the Leadership Development team at Network Rail including the highly recognised Rail Industry Accelerated Leaders programmes for the last 5 years, transforming leadership capability and fostering a culture of improvement and collaboration.

  • Luisina Romano

    Head of Marketing, specialising in creative direction and audiovisual communication.

    Luisina has built her career at the intersection of marketing, creativity and business strategy, working with international businesses across the UK, Europe and the US.

    She specialises in building marketing and communication ecosystems from the ground up, combining strategic positioning, creative direction and project leadership to establish a market presence.

  • Precious Zumbika

    The Founder and Managing Director of Carus Advisory Services.

    An award-winning construction professional, entrepreneur, Non-Executive Director, and expert speaker, she brings over 25 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, strategic transformation, and leadership in complex public and private sector environments.

    Precious is also a Visiting Fellow in Leadership and Executive Development at Cranfield University, where she contributes to the development of senior leaders.