Public speaking: from fear to flair

Sarah Mason-Parker

Sarah has been working for the ICE Benevolent Fund since 2018. She is passionate about the Ben Fund’s mission to support ICE members and their families wherever they are in the world.

Chris Burton

Chris has been involved in learning and development for over 25 years, gaining experience in design and delivery for a broad range of clients during that time. Chris’s work with a professional theatre group led to his teaching drama within the Prison Service at the outset of his career. Here, he developed skills in understanding audiences and recognising behaviours, and as a result has a keen awareness of the need to structure – and to vary – sessions according to the audience. 

In the course of his professional development, Chris has worked for Next Directory, Next Distribution, Bernard Hodes, Ventura and Castleton Partners, leading teams that have designed and delivered management development programmes to hundreds of managers of varying grades, up to director level. These programmes have often been the drivers of cultural change in the organisations in which they have been commissioned, and have been impactful and innovative, creating lasting behavioural change.  In 2008, Chris launched Cube Learning and Development and his expertise lies in the design and delivery of leadership and management development programmes.  

Chris has a Certificate in post-compulsory education, a BA (Hons) in History and English and an MA in Theatre Production. He also holds CITP in Train the Trainer.