Communication training that builds confidence and changes behaviour.
TRAINING CATEGORIES
Building communication
capability at every level.
From developing leaders and preparing spokespeople to strengthening crisis readiness
and improving content creation, our training programmes help organisations build
communication capability at every level.
Media Training
Prepare spokespeople to handle interviews, challenging questions and media scrutiny with confidence. Build the skills, techniques and resilience needed to communicate clearly, stay on message and perform effectively when under pressure.
Leadership Development
Help leaders develop with authority, authenticity and impact. Develop the confidence and communication skills needed to lead through change, engage stakeholders and inspire teams during important moments.
Presentation Skills Training
Build confidence and delivery skills that help presenters engage audiences and inspire action. Learn how to structure messages, connect with audiences and deliver presentations with greater clarity, credibility and impact.
Crisis Communications Training
Prepare communication teams to perform effectively during high-pressure situations. Strengthen messaging, stakeholder communication and decision-making so your team can communicate with confidence when pressure is at its highest.
Crisis Management Training
Strengthen decision-making, teamwork and response capability during crises. Help leaders and response teams practise managing complex situations, making effective decisions and working together when every minute matters.
Content Creation Training
Develop writing, video and podcast skills that help organisations communicate effectively across multiple channels. Create clearer content, tell stronger stories and produce engaging communications that capture attention and deliver results.
STUDIOS
Realistic environments. Better learning outcomes.
We can deliver training at your offices, online or in professional studios across the UK.
For media and presentation training, working in a realistic broadcast environment adds an extra level of challenge, authenticity and learning. Participants can practise in conditions that closely reflect the situations they may face in the real world.
For other programmes, we recreate realistic scenarios and pressures that help people test skills, receive expert feedback and build confidence through experience.
Because confidence is built through experience, not theory.
WHY MEDIA FIRST
Good communication is a practical skill.
That's why every programme combines realistic scenarios, expert coaching, practical exercises and constructive feedback designed around the situations participants are most likely to encounter.
By the end of a session, people have not simply discussed communication challenges - they have practised handling them.
Whether they are speaking to journalists, presenting to stakeholders, leading teams through change or responding during a crisis, we help people perform at their best.
MEET SOME OF THE TRAINERS
Experienced trainers.
Real-world expertise.
Media First trainers include experienced journalists, broadcasters, communication specialists and leadership advisers who have spent their careers operating in high-pressure communication environments. They bring practical insight, real-world experience and expert feedback to every programme.
Sean Ryan
Strategic Communications & Crisis Resilience
Supports organisations with strategic communications, crisis management, leadership communication and reputation protection. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience in frontline journalism and senior communications leadership, including roles at The Sunday Times and Save the Children, Sean helps leaders make confident decisions, communicate clearly under pressure and build organisational resilience before a crisis occurs.
Victoria Smith
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, executive communication, presentation skills and stakeholder engagement. Drawing on extensive experience as a TV, radio and print journalist with the BBC, ITV, Sky News and other major broadcasters, Vic helps leaders communicate complex issues with clarity, confidence and credibility, whether facing the media, speaking at events or engaging key stakeholders.
Elisa Colton
Strategic Communications & Change
Supports organisations with strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, organisational change and reputation management. Drawing on nearly 20 years' experience in journalism and communications, including senior roles at the BBC and Al Jazeera, Elisa helps leaders communicate complex issues clearly, build trust with stakeholders and navigate change with confidence.
Laura Trant
Media & Presentations Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on more than two decades of broadcast journalism experience, including roles as a BBC news correspondent, presenter and reporter, Laura helps spokespeople communicate with confidence, tell compelling stories and deliver clear, engaging messages across media interviews, presentations and public events.
Sophie Long
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, executive communication and stakeholder engagement. Drawing on 25 years of broadcasting experience, including more than two decades as a BBC correspondent and anchor, Sophie helps leaders communicate with confidence, handle complex interviews and deliver clear, credible messages under pressure.
Paul Brennan
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on extensive experience as a broadcast journalist, presenter and producer, Paul helps leaders communicate with clarity, confidence and authority, whether handling media interviews, presenting to stakeholders or delivering key messages under pressure.
Tasneem Siddiqi
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with presentation skills, executive communication and media training. Drawing on a 30-year career in television and radio journalism, including roles with the BBC and BFBS, Tasneem helps leaders communicate with confidence, increase their impact and build stronger connections with audiences.
Mark McQuillan
Media & Executive Communication Skills
Supports organisations with executive communication, media training and leadership presence. Drawing on extensive experience as a broadcast journalist, presenter and communications coach, Mark helps senior leaders communicate with clarity, confidence and credibility in high-pressure, high-visibility environments.
Susan Bookbinder
Media, Presentations & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with presentation skills, media training and executive communication. Drawing on an accomplished career as a television presenter, journalist and conference facilitator, Susan helps leaders engage audiences, deliver compelling messages and communicate with confidence across a range of platforms.
Chris Maughan
Media & Crisis Communication
Supports organisations with media training, crisis communication and presentation skills. Drawing on decades of experience as a television reporter, producer and journalist, Chris helps spokespeople communicate effectively under pressure, handle difficult questions and deliver clear, credible messages.
Howard Bentham
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on extensive broadcasting experience in radio and television journalism, Howard helps leaders communicate with confidence, simplify complex topics and connect effectively with diverse audiences.
Mike Pearse
Media & Presentation Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on extensive experience in television journalism and broadcasting, Mike helps spokespeople communicate naturally, present with greater impact and build confidence in front of audiences and cameras.
Toby Sadler
Mobile Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with mobile journalism, content creation and communication skills. Drawing on extensive experience in broadcast journalism and digital storytelling, Toby helps organisations create engaging content, communicate more effectively and build confidence using mobile technology.
Charles Abel
Crisis & Reputation Management
Supports organisations with crisis management, reputation protection and strategic communication. Drawing on extensive experience advising organisations through high-profile incidents and periods of scrutiny, Charles helps leaders make better decisions, communicate effectively and protect trust when it matters most.
Jane Deith
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on extensive experience as a broadcaster and journalist, Jane helps leaders communicate with authenticity, tell compelling stories and deliver messages with confidence and impact.
Judy Aslett
Media & Communication Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and executive communication. Drawing on a distinguished career in broadcast journalism and current affairs, Judy helps spokespeople communicate clearly, remain composed under pressure and connect more effectively with audiences.
Josie Gammell
Media & Presentation Skills
Supports organisations with media training, presentation skills and public speaking. Drawing on extensive experience as a broadcaster and journalist, Josie helps leaders communicate with confidence, engage audiences and deliver memorable messages across interviews, presentations and live events.
Building communication capability.
Good communication is rarely transformed by a single training session.
The biggest impact comes when communication capability is strengthened across an organisation — from leaders and subject matter experts to spokespeople, communications teams and content creators.
That's why our training is designed not simply to improve individual performance, but to build the confidence, consistency and communication capability that organisations need to succeed over the long term.
Whether you're developing future leaders, preparing spokespeople, strengthening crisis readiness or helping teams create better content, we help organisations build stronger communicators and stronger organisations.
NEED AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE?
Looking for the right training
programme? Let's talk.
Tell us about your objectives and we'll help you find the right programme.
Trusted by leaders, experts and
high-performing teams.
From boardrooms and conference stages to pitches and virtual events, thousands of
delegates have used our presentation and impact training to communicate with more
confidence, clarity and influence. Here is what some of them say about the experience.

View over 1,700 customer reviews on Coursecheck
“I was quite nervous about the prospect of speaking on television and radio. But Media First have given me the confidence to be able to do it. I’m incredibly grateful to Media First. I learnt that people want to hear about people. I now look forward to delivering important student messages in broadcast interviews.”
“I took the media first training because I had a little bit of experience in media interviews but found that I would stick to the script and not come across very naturally. I’d cling to facts and figures and I really wanted to improve my technique.”
“I found the whole experience absolutely fantastic. I didn’t know what to expect but the instructors were really kind and gave really fantastic advice. I know my fellow senior public affairs officers found it really good as well. And now I feel ready to take on any media interview I might get as part of my job.”
WHAT ARE MY TRAINING OPTIONS
Flexible delivery to
suit your organisation.
Every programme is tailored to your objectives, audience and availability.

In person training
At your offices or in professional studios across the UK.

Online training
Live, interactive sessions delivered wherever your people are.

Blended learning
A mix of live delivery, practice and ongoing digital resources.
FAQS
Frequently asked questions.
Will the course be tailored to our business and industry?
We believe media courses can take many different forms. You may have experienced spokespeople who want to refresh their media skills ahead of a crucial announcement. Maybe you want to increase your pool of media spokespeople who can help tell your story. You might want to improve the media handling skills of your comms team so they can better manage enquiries from journalists. Whatever you need, our dedicated account managers will devise a course that meets your requirements and exceeds your expectations. It will be delivered by one of our experienced journalist tutors who will be supported by off-site telephone journalists and camera technicians with all equipment.
What additional learning is available to us after the course?
Whatever media training course option works best for you, your delegates can look forward to a training course that is more than a training day. Your delegates will have access to our online refresher course for 12 months after their time with us. This will help them refresh their learning and skills ahead of media opportunities and stay on top of all the good stuff they learned with us.
Where can I learn more about your training?
An excellent starting point is the resources section on our website. There, you will discover numerous videos, eBooks and blogs that delve into the core media training methodology we established over four decades ago.
How much time will my media team need to commit to briefing you about our business and sector?
This might surprise you but – not much. Our team will guide you through it every step of the way, ensuring that we only capture the information that is going to help our media training team get the best out of your spokespeople.
Who will deliver our training?
We have a team of over 40 senior journalist tutors to choose from. Our Account Managers will work with you to understand your goals and aspirations and will select the best trainers for your needs.
Where will our training take place?
That's entirely up to you. We travel the world delivering in-person training at our client's offices. We also have our own TV, radio and podcasting studios in Berkshire, which are, quite frankly, awesome! And we have negotiated preferential rates for studios in London, Manchester, Scotland and more. Finally, we can deliver training online using Zoom or Microsoft Teams.