An Interview with Adrian Webster

Are you as happy speaking to 50 as to 1,000 people?

I certainly am! I’m more than happy, in the past, I’ve spoken to groups of just eight people and I’ve spoken to audiences of over two thousand. As a speaker looking to engage everyone in the room, I’ve found that every audience, whether it’s a large or a small one has its own character and its own unique set of challenges. If there was a thousand people or just one person in the room, I’d be just as buzzed up!

How did the corporate speaking start?

I fell into it, trying to engage and inspire teams of people around me in the I.T industry.

Can you remember your first speaking engagement?

Yes, I most certainly can! My first ‘proper professional’ engagement was at Legoland Windsor on the 3rd of October 2000. The client was Storagetek and I was petrified!

Which event has been your favourite and why?

I honestly can’t name any one particular event. Whether they’ve been daytime or after-dinner, they’ve all been so very different, I have enjoyed speaking at all of them. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced so many different company cultures and have met so many terrific people.

Who would you most like to share a platform with?

Nelson Mandela.

On average, how many times a year do you speak at corporate events?

It’s varied over the past nine years between 80 and 120 corporate events a year.

Do you use PowerPoint?

Sometimes, it depends on the event. If I do, I use some fun pictures from my book, which I display to help reinforce messages.

How do you like to be introduced?

“Ex riot copper and milkman, please welcome Adrian Webster”.

Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?

Always. An absolute must if I’m going to really connect with the audience and deliver the key messages that the client wants me to.

What are the most asked for topics?

Everyday people delivering extraordinary results, inspirational leadership, putting customers at the heart of everything we do, working together as one big team, and embracing change.

Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?

Probably one of the most surreal experiences for me has been to deliver a motivational speech to two hundred Funeral Directors whilst standing on stage between two hearses!

Your favourite film?

I’ve got two, ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ and ‘The Commitments’.

Favourite book?

Mark Haddon’s ‘The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night – Time.’

Favourite holiday destination?

Georgioupolis in Crete. It’s my Fat City!

What’s your tipple – wine, beer, champagne?

Guinness or red wine or when it gets really hot - Mythos Beer!

Country or townie?

I’m a country boy who loves to go into town!

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