Communications coach, Charm School founder and corporate MC

Overview

John De La Hughes is a Wellington-based communications specialist, corporate MC and the founder of Charm School — a coaching practice teaching people how to communicate with clarity, confidence and charisma. With more than 15 years in technical financial roles before founding Charm School, John has the rare combination of corporate credibility and on-stage warmth that makes him a popular choice for keynotes, workshops and event hosting.

Who is John De La Hughes? John spent his early career in technical financial communications roles at Allianz UK, Insurance Australia Group and his own consultancy, where he learned how clear communication drives efficiency, engagement and results. He founded Charm School to teach those same skills back — one-to-one coaching, workshops on public speaking, body language and corporate presence, and event MC services. He has MC'd more than 100 corporate and combat-sports events. He holds a BA Hons from the University of Bristol.

Career Highlights • Founder of Charm School, teaching winning communication and people skills • MC of more than 100 corporate and combat-sports events • Communications Specialist at Last Word (Wellington) • 15+ years' experience in technical financial communications • Former roles at Allianz UK and Insurance Australia Group • BA Hons, University of Bristol

Key Speaking Themes • Public speaking and confident communication • Charisma, body language and corporate presence • People skills and connecting with audiences • Communication in technical and financial roles • MC craft and how to hold a room

What Your Audience Will Gain John is warm, sharp and refreshingly practical. Audiences leave with concrete techniques for public speaking, body language and corporate presence — the kind of skills people often wish they'd been taught at the start of their careers.

Ideal For • Sales kick-offs and leadership offsites • Professional services and financial industry events • Corporate awards nights and gala dinners • Conference MC roles • Communication and leadership training programmes

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does John De La Hughes speak about? Public speaking, charisma, body language, corporate presence and people skills.

What is Charm School? The coaching practice John founded to teach communication, public speaking, body language and corporate presence to individuals and teams.

Is John De La Hughes available as an MC? Yes. John is a highly experienced corporate MC, having hosted more than 100 corporate and combat-sports events.

What is John De La Hughes's background? A BA Hons from the University of Bristol followed by more than 15 years in technical financial communications roles at Allianz UK, Insurance Australia Group and his own consultancy.

Does John offer one-to-one coaching? Yes. Through Charm School, John offers one-to-one communication coaching as well as group workshops.
Is John De La Hughes available for keynotes and workshops? Yes. John delivers keynotes, workshops and MC services for corporate audiences across New Zealand and Australia.