The Ambassador Partnership’s True Masterclasses share the techniques and insights of successful leaders all of whom are former senior diplomats with a wealth of high-level international experience.
Masterclasses are highly interactive, providing workshop participants with sufficient theory to offer an intellectual scaffold and share real-life experiences relevant to the subject. Participants practice the techniques learned in hands-on exercises, specially written for the programme. Feedback is provided in real time.
Our team have tackled complex international problems at the highest levels of government. They share that experience through Masterclasses in negotiating, communicating and problem-solving.
Our Masterclasses are organised around bold presentations and realistic case studies / roleplays that encourage participants to analyse the problems and issues in a deeper way, and then use subtle skills drawn from professional mediation techniques to make progress. What’s going on here? What’s this problem about?
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We develop practical skills for negotiating with and influencing people from different backgrounds and cultures, at any level of seniority. Areas and associated techniques include:
These Masterclasses are typically smaller and specially designed around specific disputes or intractable problems. They focus on the operational needs of those involved or of people invited to help achieve breakthroughs.
The Masterclasses expand on our Negotiating and Persuading Masterclasses with additional elements as agreed:
Mediation skills are vital practical tools for anyone dealing with sensitive issues or problems.
Many of our teams have professional mediation qualifications. They can act individually or with other mediators in a formal mediation process, and advise clients on how best to manage / resolve problems and reduce tensions
We can facilitate full mediation training to professional UK mediation qualification standard. We also give masterclasses and coaching in mediation techniques
These popular Masterclasses and coaching sessions help clients make the best of meetings, both as chair and as participant. Areas covered include:
We support all forms of top-level written work for senior people: reports and recommendations, setting agendas, recording meetings and conversations, policy briefs, speaking notes, letters and emails.
The emphasis is on directness and simplicity (less is more) combined with unerring precision.
Masterclasses and individual coaching are available. Both feature sharp subtle exercises that help writers project confident policy grip and allow senior people to focus quickly on decisions needed.
I haven’t stopped hearing about my talk all day. We’ve been asked for a detailed proposal. A game changer
We help speakers achieve maximum impact and credibility on the day and via the media /internet. What is everyone else likely to do? Don’t do that.
Our team have handled high-profile crises in many different countries and contexts.
They share sophisticated techniques for delivering effective leadership when things are especially difficult.
Areas covered include:
Our team have served as Permanent Representative and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna and to NATO.
They also have worked with international organisations in the field in testing environments.
We help private and public sector clients understand the UN and the wider family of UN organisations and agencies, to develop effective working relationships and build operational alliances.
We also help states bid and prepare for membership of the UN Security Council.
Areas covered include:
Masterclasses are delivered in-person or online.
• Online Masterclasses take place via Zoom or Webex. Each module is delivered in 3 - 4 hour online sessions
• In-person Masterclasses when delivered in London will be held at a convenient central London location
• In-person Masterclasses can also be held outside the UK according to demand
• Masterclasses are run on the basis of no more than eight participants to one leader
• Programmes and prices available on request
• Education joint ventures with other organisations will be considered
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Rachel Aron spent over 25 years as a British diplomat gaining experience of top level policy-making and corporate leadership in Whitehall and abroad, including as British Ambassador to Belgium. She is accredited to Ashridge Business School and leads coaching assignments for senior private sector executives.
John Buck was British Ambassador to Portugal from 2004 to 2007 before becoming Group Director Government and Public Affairs at BG Group, the UK-based global energy company since merged with Shell.
During his diplomatic career John worked on European, UN Security Council and human resource issues and was posted to Bulgaria and Cyprus as well as Portugal. He was Chief of Staff to successive Cabinet Ministers in the Cabinet Office and Head of Public Diplomacy in the Foreign Office.
John was Head of the Government Communications and Information Centre during the Iraq war of 2003, coordinating the British Government's engagement with the media. He was then seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad to establish a unified civilian and military media operation, before becoming Foreign Office Director for Iraq.
John is a founding partner of the Ambassador Partnership LLP, which offers political and problem-solving consultancy services to international business. He trains senior staff in governments and international organisations in communication, negotiation, country branding and leadership skills.
Jules Chappell OBE served as Britain’s Ambassador to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador and worked on the GREAT Britain Campaign, promoting British business, tourism and culture across the world. Julie has won a Woman of the Future award. In 2014 she left the FCO and became a partner at Hawthorn Advisors and then Managing Director, Business, at London and Partners, the official promotional agency for London.
Charles Crawford CMG is a communication consultant (leadership, negotiating and public speaking) and mediator. He previously worked as a UK diplomat including three ambassador roles in central Europe
He writes and supports top-level speeches: In 2016 and 2017 he won Cicero Awards for speechwriting
In his long career as a UK diplomat he served in the British Embassy in South Africa in the final years of apartheid. He then worked in London and Moscow during Russia’s early transition from communism. He served as British Ambassador in Sarajevo after the Bosnia conflict; in Belgrade after the Milošević period; and in Warsaw during Poland’s accession to the European Union. He helped negotiate important aspects of the 2005 EU Budget deal and 2007 EU Lisbon Treaty
In 1998 he was awarded the CMG for his work supporting reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sir Stewart Eldon was UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1998 - 2002), UK Ambassador to Ireland (2003 - 2006) and UK Permanent Representative to NATO (2006 - 2010). He uses his experience to provide Masterclasses in advanced negotiation and diplomatic skills to senior leaders in international organisations. He is a founding member of the Ambassador Partnership.
Sir Stewart is a consultant, trainer and commentator on international defence and security issues. He advises the NGO Transparency International on counter-corruption in the defence/security sectors, and is Senior Civil Adviser to the Higher Command & Staff College at the UK Defence Academy for officers judged capable of reaching the top ranks of the British Armed Forces
Rana Nejem is the founding director of Yarnu (http://www.yarnu.com/), the first firm in the Middle East to specialize in business protocol and cross-cultural intelligence. Having previously worked as a broadcast journalist for CNN, she then moved into public diplomacy and communications, first at the Royal Hashemite Court and then at the British Embassy in Amman for 18 years. Rana carries a Master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She is the author of When in the Arab World; An Insider’s Guide to Living and Working with Arab Culture.
Néstor Osorio Londoño became Colombia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in February 2014 and retired in mid 2019. After a career as an administrative lawyer, he served as the first Permanent Representative of Colombia to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva from 1995 to 1999. He was Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization from 2002 to 2010, where he had represented Colombia since 1978 when he was named Alternate Delegate and later becoming head of mission and Permanent Representative until 1994. After leaving the WTO, he worked for the Colombian Government as High Advisor for Coffee Policy from September 2000 until his election as Executive Director of the ICO. In November 2010, Osorio became Colombia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. During April 2011, Colombia held the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, and Osorio was the Council's president.
Lars-Hjalmar Wide has over four decades of experience from bi- and multilateral diplomatic posts abroad as well as from leadership positions at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm. He has deep knowledge of and experience from multilateral negotiations in the United Nations. He has been Director General for the Inspectorate for Strategic Products (a governmental export control agency) and has served as First Marshal of the Court of H.M. The King of Sweden in charge of planning and implementation of the official program of the Royal Family. He has served as Sweden’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Malta, The Holy See and until September 2019 to Spain and Andorra. He is currently vice chairman of the Foundation for the Stockholm Prize in Criminology.
We have delivered Masterclasses for international organisations, national governments and private sector clients:
• Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Committee Red Cross (ICRC)
• International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• Provisional Treaty Secretariat of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBTO)
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• United Nations Department for Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (UNMICT)
• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
• United Nations Office, Geneva (UNOG)
• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
• UN Secretariat, New York
• UN Staff System College, Turin (UNSSC)
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• UN Women
• United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Foreign ministries and diplomatic academies in Austria, Bahrain, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Myanmar, Netherlands, Bahrain, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
“My instincts did not let me down when I decided to follow the entire programme - one of the highlights during my five years in charge of staff development”
United Nations Office at Geneva: Speechwriting Workshop
“A great effort, many thanks. It was appropriate that the course was designed for us. The roleplays helped a lot to imagine crisis management in the real world"
Crisis Management course for senior Foreign Ministry officials
“Thanks for one of the finest courses I’ve had the privilege of attending: such challenging exercises and interactions. I find myself more prepared to negotiate confidently in the future.”
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Negotiation Skills
“Already in two specific occasions during the last week I benefited from your advice on how to write clear and effective messages. Again, a million thanks for the effective training”
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Leadership Skills
“A LOT of information that I hope to apply. Well done all 4 days! I’ll gladly attend ANY training you offered”
“Drinking from a firehose. If I can put 15% into practice, my delivery will have improved greatly”
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): Briefing and Advanced Presentation Skills
“A great and memorable course. Probably the best course on communication I’ve ever had”
“Entertaining, practical, well-structured and useful”
United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC): Talking-Points and Speechwriting Webinars
“Thank you for your excellent help and tips! Wow - you are really good at this. I must say I am impressed”
Eurocontrol: Verbal Communication Skills