The testimonials below reflect the different strands of Alan’s approach. They range from the early 1990’s up until the present. They are held on record ( letter, email and LinkedIn ) and are available for inspection if required.
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‘I have used Alan in a corporate environment several times over the years, from one to one presentation coaching for directors to running Alexander technique to boost confidence for developing staff. He was very credible at all levels and used creative approaches that gave a fresh perspective. I also attended one of his workshops which actually made me think that perhaps I could sing after all! Would not hesitate to recommend him.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Good Value, Creative
Mary Banks – Learning &Development Consultant, MB Development Ltd , hired Alan Mars as a Business Consultant in 1999, and hired Alan Mars more than once
‘Presentation Training is never an easy solution to source. Unlike many other fields of learning and development it requires an exquisite blend of knowledge, skills and personal style on the part of the trainer and also a good match of the trainer’s mode of working to the confidence, competence and courage of the performer. I feel privileged to have experienced first-hand the way that Alan brings such excellent results in a few days to his clients and course participants. The most amazing thing about it is the refreshingly gentle and humble way in which he encourages (gives courage to) people to discover a vocal performance and level of persuasion and passion that they did not previously believe themselves capable of. And all of this is achieved with a joy and poise which seems effortless, but which must of course be the outcome of many years of honing his craft. Alan’s courses really must be tried, as words are insufficient to capture the special moments he creates.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
Simon Nash – HR Director at Carey Olsen, hired Alan Mars as a Presentation Skills Trainer in 2000, and hired Alan Mars more than once
‘After having had a couple of corporate presentation skills training sessions with some traditional trainers, I wanted to explore other ways of gaining better use of my voice and more confidence when presenting on stage. Alan’s approach was refreshing and practical. Working through the Alexander Technique, Alan delivered an array of practical tips and techniques to bring colour to my voice, and pace and life to presentations. He used his wealth of experience from working in both corporate and drama settings to develop a programme tailored to what I wanted to achieve. Some of the elements of the training that worked best for me were ways to engage an audience by varying pace, style and intonation, and posture work to build confidence and to ensure a solid base from which to present.
I’d highly recommend Alan whether it’s for improving confidence when presenting to audiences large and small, or developing a more compelling presenting voice and style. Not only did he help me achieve my objectives, but he also did it in a relaxing and enjoyable way.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative
Rachel Cummings – Market Access Manager at Pharmaceuticals Industry, hired Alan Mars as a Presentation Skills coach in 2012
“I enlisted the help of Alan in 2007 when a new role required a large
degree of public speaking, something I had not been accustomed to. He used a number of techniques with me which all produced the required results and I am pleased to say went beyond just being able to speak in public in a clear, concise and professional manner. Alan has a varied approach calling on a vast array of methods from the conventional to the not so conventional, not dissimilar to the voice coach in the Kings Speech, but they are his tried and trusted methods and I am pleased to say, they worked for me.”
Service Category: Business Consultant
Year first hired: 2007 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value
Richard Leadbetter, Finance
“I went to see Alan for voice coaching to help me with my work as a teacher of meditation and related subjects. Over the years, the area I had been told I could most improve on was my voice and especially to make it more engaging and dynamic.
I was very pleased with the series of 6 weekly individual sessions I had with Alan. Each week I had some simple, manageable exercises to continue to work with at home and, as each week passed, I got a stronger impression of how Alan’s work was improving my voice. I feel I have the tools to continue to maintain the progress I have made.
The sessions were also enjoyable and the way the Alexander Technique was included added to the feeling of well-being they gave me. It was also very good value for one-to-one tuition!”
Top Qualities: Skilled; Tailored to my needs; Excellent value
Andrew Warr, Seminar Leader
“Dear Alan, Thank you very much for the fantastic morning you facilitated for us last Tuesday. It has been appearing in conversations between staff ever since and seems to have lifted the entire team in readiness for the new year. Some staff described you as the best outside trainer we have had!”
Brian De Lord, Chief Executive of The Pupil Parent Partnership (2008)
“I can highly recommend Alan Mars for his superb work as an Alexander Technique teacher, and in particular to voice work and presentation skill. I have seen him transform, in a gentle way, the way people relate to their voice. He gets people up on their feet and projecting their voice with a power and clarity that is amazing. His approach is everybody can use their voice effectively it is only our thoughts that get in the way; he has a great knack of changing or removing those thoughts.”
Richard Brennan, Director of ATTCI and author of 6 books on the Alexander Technique.
“Alan is a highly skilled teacher of the Alexander Technique tailored to meet your specific issue. In common with many of my gender I can get a bit ‘frozen’ if aggression arises in the office. It’s annoying that girls don’t get the same early training as boys, in fact we get the opposite and instinctively try to pacify. Great for social scenarios but not for situations when the bullies are rampaging the office. So Alan taught me some of the tricks from his Alexander Technique bag and literally within 24 hours I was holding my own and remaining calm enough for my brain to work. I also did some co-presenting with Alan as part of some team building sessions and again he wowed them with his physical solutions to perceived ’emotional’ problems. Give it a go! I promise you can be more in control and remain calm in those testosterone filled occasions. Alan can help you level the playing field.”
Service Category: Career Coach
Year first hired: 2003 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity
Fiona Brownsell, Finance and Banking
“Alan worked with me on a one to one basis and was inspirational and great fun. I have also worked with him within a group. I would recommend his services to anyone who feels they want to increase their personal skills and confidence in making an impact publicly, in meetings or any other interpersonal situation.”
Service Category: Career Coach
Year first hired: 2006, and hired Alan Mars more than once
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
Godfrey Owen, Chief Executive, Brathay Trust
“I started Alexander Lessons with Alan initially intending to try it for 6 sessions to work on posture, voice (speaking and singing) and presentation skills. As someone with a tendency to laziness and ill-discipline I am always on the look out for easier ways of doing things and Alan is a polymath in the intelligent and efficient use of the body and voice.”
Dr. Rick Clarke
“Alan is a passionate and inspirational presentation skills coach. My delegates walked into the room and then skipped and bounced out of the room full of confidence and practical tips. Alan has a very unique voice and manner which draws delegates towards him and encourages them to take risks. Alan uses Alexander Technique to improve breathing, posture, walking, spatial anchoring and overall confidence in presentations – my delegates adored him – and his harp! Would recommend him with a capital R!”
Cheryl Ann Winter, Personal & Team coach
Presentation Skills Coach Brighton
Service Category: Presentation Skills Coach
Year first hired: 2000 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
“I contacted Alan because I was in a new role where I conducted ceremonies – often in large rooms or outside areas – without a microphone. As well as concern about projecting my voice, I was lacking in confidence about my public speaking and presentation skills.
Alan approached the resolution from a completely different angle and it was so much more effective than the standard ‘Presentation Skills’ courses which I have tried in the past. It was a relief to not have the constant focus (and therefore pressure) on the result. Instead, Alan used a combination of approaches (I won’t give too much away) which included the Alexander Technique and vocal experimentation. He helped me to find and release an ability that I didn’t know existed rather than having to adopt a voice that felt as though it belonged to someone else!
Alan’s approach is unusual and it works. He is also very patient, calming and funny. If you want tension-free learning and to build confidence in your presentation skills – this is your man!”
Prue Heron, Celebrant
”I first met Alan in 2003, when I was attending NLP Master Practitioner at Stenhouse in Cardiff. I trained with Alan the following year at Trainers Training. Alan was an inspiration to me and taught me state control through breathing exercises and vocal exercises. I was representing my golf club that year in the All Ireland Golfing Championships and went on to win the Gold Medal. Golf is a mental game, and state control is the Key to playing successful golf under pressure. The techniques Alan taught me not only helped me cope with the pressure in 2003 but since then on four further occasions.”
Top qualities: – Great Results, Personable, Expert
John Bourke– Lawyer, Arbitrator, Mediator, hired Alan Mars as a Alexander Teacher and Vocal Coach in 2003, and hired Alan Mars more than once
“Alan Mars is like a breath of fresh air, easy to listen to, like Ron seal Alan walks his talk. Authenticity is written right through him – just like Brighton Rock! Stop thinking about booking him JDI ( Just Do it) you will not be disappointed!!!”
Service Category: Voice Coach
Year first hired: 2009
Top Qualities: Expert, Good Value, High Integrity
John White, Coach
‘Alan is an expert on Alexander Technique. This concept was new to me and I knew little about it. Under Alan’s guidance, I got positive results within weeks. Highly recommended.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value
Samiran Sarkar – Strategy and Transformation Consultant at IBM Global Business Services, hired Alan Mars as a Personal Trainer in 2008
”Alan’s product does what it says on the tin – and much more. A well-conceived perfectly timed set of exercises and instructions that he carefully and patiently tailors to suit the audience he finds himself working with. His knowledge of the techniques is clearly profound and justifies the confidence with which he puts them across, and the confidence he builds in his students. I was asked to choose 3 attributes ”that best describe this service provider” from a list of 7. It was an impossible choice: the three I chose at random are given below, but ”expert” ”on time” ”high integrity” and ”creative” are all more or less equally applicable.
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value
Steve Pilley – Actor / Manager, Southend Shakespeare Company (on left of picture), hired Alan Mars as a Alexander Technique teacher and vocal coach in 2010, and hired Alan Mars more than once
‘Alan makes learning fun and very easy. He has a wonderfully calming style and the ability to bring out the best in people. Highly recommend him!!!”
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
Leigh Ashton – Sales Consultant, NLP Trainer and Author, hired Alan Mars as a Trainer in 2000, and hired Alan Mars more than once
“I just wanted to say I loved your style, humour, warmth and openness. I have just started my executive coaching company and hope to have as much passion as you exude. I thought your workshop was light, fun and enjoyable and just what we needed after hours of intensity!”
Monica, delegate at NLP Conference voice workshop (2008)
“Thanks once again for the session you spent with me in March. It boosted my confidence ten fold.”
David, (Best Man speech coaching session 2010)
“I was to be my brothers best man and had written my speech, practiced it but continued to have problems with delivering the punch lines, it being long winded and me petrified with having to stand in front of 160 people. I met with Alan who’s first exercise involved techniques for centring the body, breathing and projection. The immediate benefit was that I had more control. The next area was to cut the fat in the speech and form it into bite size chunks with fewer syllables, this improved the flow and aided my breathing.
I had 3 sessions with Alan and each time noticed a huge improvement in my presentation and confidence. I even began to enjoy the thought of presenting to a crowd. Having the right techniques, help with the script, my speech was a success thanks in no small part to the expertise and calming influence of my teacher.
How did I measure the success of my speech? The number of guests that came up to me afterwards praising me on a great speech, they had heard every word and saw that I was even smiling. Some guests even advised that I should join the Guild of Toastmasters or take up public speaking professionally.
I would advise that anyone who is in the position of presenting a public or best man’s speech should afford themselves the enormous help that Alan can provide. Alan, many thanks Matthew Myatt”
Matthew Myatt – Director at Harland Consulting Ltd
”Alan Mars is an expert voice and performance teacher who quickly engages participants AND gets results. His easy, structured style ensures everyone is involved and having fun, working on their presentations and voice. If you can, attend, if not make time to. Niall Kelly.”
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
Niall Kelly – MD at Lane Kelly Associates and Alexander Technique teacher hired Alan Mars as an Alexander Technique Teacher in 2004
I’ve found Alan a pleasure to work with. He’s got great idea’s and is very enthusiastic about his work. I’ve gained life long skills from Alan’s sessions and would highly recommend him.
September 18, 2012, Neil Brown – Branch Manager at Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery
It’s been a real pleasure to work with Alan and I noticed a difference immediately. I’d recommend him to others.
September 16, 2012, – Elise Wach – Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Advisor at Institute of Development Studies
Service Category: Voice instructor
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value
We combined Voice Work with Alexander Technique. Alan made the sessions both fun and informative. The skills learned have truly helped me to project my voice, hold the attention of a group and bring my presentations to life. I even got to sing and discovered that I do have a voice!!!
September 14, 2012 – Gerry Kassab – Chairman at Insight Executive Group
Service Category: Business Consultant
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Good Value, Creative
Alan has taught me some great techniques on presenting. He gets you very involved from the start so you leave each session with confidence and very applicable knowledge. I can honesty say the work we did made a difference, and now it’s something I can look forward to instead of fear.
December 11, 2012 – Mark Harries – Freelance Copywriter at Mark Harries
Service Category: presentation skills
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value
Alan has helped me immensely to get to where I want to be. In my first session, I was visibly uncomfortable with public speaking. 6 sessions later & quite the reverse is true. His coaching is not only incredibly useful but also often thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. Most importantly Alan gave me things to take away from his coaching that I can continue to build on, work with and improve. I will certainly miss my weekly dose of the Alexander Technique which, at least when Alan does it, is wonderfully relaxing. Brilliant results & an excellent all round fellow.
November 29, 2012 – Immanuel Guffogg – Senior Sales Advisor at Lighthouse Learning
Service Category: Presentation Skills Coaching
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
Alan is great to work with and his approach will help you understand how you can get in touch with your “core”, from which all communication flows much easier. I found his exercises invaluable and have no hesitation in recommending him.
January 2, 2013, Jose Mendez – Founder, Director at 123 Direct & Living Earth Foods
Service Category: Personal Trainer
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity
I contacted Alan to seek guidance on vocal projection. An expert in his field and highly personable, Alan made sessions fun while sharing the principles of how to project with minimal effort.
The results have been great; I’m more confident in my ability to be heard even in the loudest environments… crucial for a Salsa teacher, and I now possess a number of tools and methods to practice in my own time for even greater improvement.
I highly recommend Alan and his sessions are great value for money.
April 2, 2013, Salih (Sal) Siam – Clinical trial statistics, programming, data management, medical writing; adaptive design
Service Category: Business Consultant
Year first hired: 2013
Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert
Alan is a great voice coach for public speaking and/or improved singing. His combination of the Alexander Technique with voice training and breathing proved to be a great combination and the techniques can be easily remembered.
June 13, 2013, Diane Smith – Project Leader at SPECIAL Project Spatial Planning and Energy for Communities In All Landscapes
Service Category: voice coach/singing!
Year first hired: 2012 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Expert, High Integrity, Creative
Alan is a voice coach with more than 30 years experience, which allowed him very quickly to find the best exercises for me. I use English as a second language – he helped me with proper pronunciation, gave me some tools to use in dynamic business environment, and highlighted a few trick to build confidence. He is professional in his work, being in the some time like a friend – encouraging, positive and patient. If you want to improve your vocal skills quickly, call to Alan.
August 28, 2013, Anna Sielaff – Project Analyst at Ford Motor Company
Category: Personal Trainer
Year first hired: 2013
Top Qualities: Good Value, High Integrity, Creative
Alan is a fantastic voice coach with a huge amount of insight and expertise. A great understanding of the impact of voice and posture on personal reputation in business, and loads of practical help and support to work on this.
October 21, 2013 – Belinda Gannaway – Culture Director, Brilliant Noise
Service Category: Voice coach
Year first hired: 2013
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Creative
I first attended a group workshop then later booked Alan for one-on-one tuition, to help me prepare for some public speaking engagements. He is great fun to work with and excellent at identifying areas for improvement. He also hugely helped my confidence in the run up to the talks. I recommend him highly.
Ruth Stokes – Freelance journalist, copywriter, author, researcher, editor
Service Category: Public Speaking Coach
Year first hired: 2013 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Good Value
I cannot speak highly enough of Alan Mars. I came to him seeking help with nerves affecting my delivery in public speaking and from the very first session I felt relief and a surge of hope that I did have the ability to overcome these obstacles. I opted for Skype because we live far away. Apart from the convenience of being in the comfort of your own home I found using Skype had advantages over face-to-face sessions. For instance you can hear yourself and see yourself which are very useful for immediate feedback on your voice and posture. Furthermore, I found the function of using the screen actually helped me to concentrate. We are also going to record a session which will be invaluable for future reference and coming back to lessons learnt. Alan Mars is very good at his job and is a kind, caring, intuitive and very generous man. Value for money is an understatement.
May 9, 2014, Cecile Besrest-Butler – Founder at Frogs Legs on Toast – Learn le French to speak le French
Category: Coaching
Year first hired: 2014
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative
Alan’s very practical approach to voice training was just what I needed to prepare for a major presentation. He slowed me down, brought in warmth and authority, and gave me useful tips for grounding, smiling and connecting with the audience. Its not an overnight transformation but guidance to work on over time to build new habits. Many thanks
Anton Simanowitz – Delivering on good intentions – impact management. April 22, 2015,