Toastmasters International UK & Ireland

What fun it was to host the fireside chat with Lilian Shaftacola at the Toastmasters International UK & Ireland Contest Finals on Sunday. We spoke about the real challenges clubs are facing today and the innovative strategies leaders are using to drive member retention, growth, and deliver a high-quality club experience. Big thanks to Seema Menon for this opportunity.

Still buzzing from an incredible Sunday! ✨ It was an absolute privilege to serve as Contest Chair for the Toastmasters International UK & Ireland Impromptu Speaking Contest (Table Topics). With a full theatre audience and countless moving parts behind the scenes, watching our incredible speakers navigate challenging topics with wit, wisdom, and confidence was truly inspiring. The energy was pulsating, and the speeches were nothing short of extraordinary. 🎙️ It's moments like these that underscore the power of communication and the incredible talent within our community. Huge congratulations to all the participants, and a massive thank you to everyone who made it such an unforgettable event. #ImpromptuSpeaking #TableTopics #District91 #Toastmasters #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #EventHost #ContestChair

Absolutely thrilled to be featured on Region 10 Live News November episode sharing the story of District 91’s “Ditch the Nerves” campaign! Taking our message onto the London Underground and having commuters stop, smile and take that first step into Toastmasters was unforgettable, a reminder of how powerful simple ideas can be. Huge thanks to David Corcoran MSc PCC and Paola Perina for the feature and to every toastmaster member who helped bring the Tube campaign to life. Check the You tube link below from 25mins into the episode! Love to hear your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/eAHv-X_R #Toastmasters #D91Leadership #DitchTheNerves #SupportiveSimpleSustainable

Last Sunday, we hosted our first mid-year, one-day #Toastmasters event since the pandemic 'Flow with the Fall' and what an extraordinary day it turned out to be. Despite rain and major train closures, our community showed up in full force. Tickets sold out, the energy was electric and the room buzzed with learning, laughter, connection and celebration. An exceptional team came together with a shared vision and the result was a truly memorable experience. The Humorous Speech Finals, led by Contest Chair Mohammed Al Bayati and Chief Judge Paul Walsh, had us all in stitches. We witnessed Danny Wang, just nine months into Toastmasters, become our District Humorous Speech Champion, a reminder that courage matters more than tenure. And in a heartwarming moment, Chris Billington, a new father, won the Table Topics Contest (led by Sergey Kornev), a story his child will one day be proud to hear. Our keynote sessions were equally powerful. Chris Hatfield, whom I first met at #CROConnected, encouraged us to shift from “I have to” to “I want to” through Reframing our self talk. A small change in words, a big change in mindset. In a generous gesture, he gifted his book 'Sales Psyche' to every contestant. Andrew Osayemi invited us to take #Toastmasters Beyond the Club into our workplaces, communities and leadership journeys. We also welcomed Region Advisor Lilian Shaftacola, who joined Rekha Mathew for a heartfelt fireside chat on engagement, connection and building thriving clubs. The inspiration was real and two delegates instantly volunteered to be Conference Directors for 2027! A special thank you to Alistair Driscoll from #ToastTitans (HID Global) for the thoughtful delegate kits. Our MCs Mary-Anne L. and Hephzibah Emereole lit up the room with warmth and high-voltage energy. And our organising team, led by the phenomenal Pearl Cadogan, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything seamless. A Personal Reflection This event took me back to my early years at Sony Pictures, working on the #SonySportsPersonalityAwards and #BritishAsianSportsAwards. Those long nights, shoulder to shoulder with the EVP and colleagues across departments, taught me what true collaboration looks like. Those lessons shaped my resilience and I carry them into every leadership role. My heartfelt gratitude to Neeraj Arora, Shalin Patel, Sharon Patel, Saryu M., Sonali Gurnani, Chandita Asthana and many others who taught me to believe in myself, especially in moments of doubt. Flow with the Fall wasn’t just an event. It was a reminder of what we can create when we come together with intention, generosity and purpose. Looking forward to the #RootToRise Conference in May 2026.