Tom is raising a toast to help in public speaking

Apr 1 2009 By Christopher Knox, The Journal

A NORTH East businessman has launched an initiative which aims to help firms improve their communication skills as a way of helping to beat the recession.

Tom Fenwick-Brown, who runs the North East base of US firm Sandler Training in Newcastle, is helping to launch the not-for-profit Toastmasters International service in Newcastle, which helps to build up confidence by improving public speaking and general communication skills.

Mr Fenwick-Brown has teamed up with Peter Ayers, senior designer at the Newcastle offices of furniture business Neville Johnson, and disability rights campaigner Steve Wilkinson to launch the organisation in the North East.

He said: "I was really struck by just how good Toastmasters was at helping people improve significantly, no matter what their standard to begin with.

"I’ve noticed many times over the years just how much fear there is about public speaking. I’ve also noticed that some people who speak in public as part of their profession are often not really very good at it. Steve, Peter, and I thought this was a simple idea that could really help." The group hope to get customers to learn new ways of effective public speaking and go away and pass on their knowledge in order to improve communication skills throughout the region’s business community as well as help those awaiting a job interview or even gearing up for a best man’s speech. Mr Fenwick-Brown, whose previous interests have included owning the Sony Centre retail business, said: "The two nearest branches are York and Edinburgh. Realistically no one from our region is going to go that far. Newcastle was crying out to have its own branch.

"With the recession taking its toll on a number of firms, it’s more important than ever that our business leaders can present themselves with confidence."