Executive Communication &
Pitch Strategy
Executive communication moments when there's no second chance
Helping founders and leaders navigate critical moments when failure is costly.
Event Host Coaching
Many leaders are asked to host or moderate critical events without real preparation. Town halls. Client summits. Leadership offsites. Moments where tone, credibility, and authority are judged before you realise it.
A strong host doesn’t just manage logistics. They shape how the company is perceived. A weak one creates drift, confusion, irritation or a quiet loss of confidence.
Hosting is not an add-on skill. It is a leadership role performed in public.
Michael Rickwood has spent over fifteen years hosting, moderating, and shaping high-visibility events where leaders are assessed in real time.
Since 2017, he has been the Master of Ceremonies for the VivaTech Discovery Stage in Paris, interviewing over 200 founders, executives, and innovators in front of live audiences ranging from intimate rooms to several hundred participants. He has also hosted corporate events for organisations such as Airbus, Engie, Microsoft, Pierre Fabre, Mercedes-Daimler, and the World Bank.
Preparing leaders for moments that don’t allow for improvisation.
This work is for leaders who must hold a room with steadiness, clarity, and authority. Whether hosting once or repeatedly, the focus is on removing guesswork and building a reliable presence under pressure.
Open a room with clarity and control
• Set tone and energy without performing
• Guide transitions and keep momentum intact
• Introduce speakers with precision, not filler
• Stay composed when plans shift or fail
• Project a presence that reflects the organisation’s standards
The goal is not performance, but steadiness, clarity, and trust.
This work ensures the event feels intentional, credible, and led.
Become a Clear, Credible Event Host
Hosting is not a performance; it is a responsibility.
Your role is to open the room, hold the flow, and stay steady when pressure or uncertainty enters the space.
Vortolo works with leaders preparing for high-stakes hosting moments where credibility is shaped in real time. The focus is practical and restrained: clear openings, clean transitions, attentive listening and calm authority when things don’t go to plan.
• Opening a room with authority and ease
• Holding momentum through transitions
• Asking precise questions and listening under pressure
• Staying composed on stage or on camera
• Adapting professionally when things change
The LENS Technique
A simple framework for on-camera and live hosting.
It helps you manage intention, timing, and presence without overthinking or performing.
Next Step
If you’re preparing for a conference, panel, or high-visibility event, start with a short conversation. We’ll define what matters and how to support you as the host.
Event Hosting and Executive Facilitation FAQ
What makes your MC coaching different?
It focuses on clarity, presence, and leadership rather than performance. The work is grounded in real, high-stakes situations shaped by over 14 years of live hosting experience, including Vivatech.
Do you work with executives and corporate teams?
Yes. The work is designed for leaders, managers, and internal hosts responsible for high-visibility moments such as town halls, client summits and strategic events.
What is the LENS technique? The LENS technique is a simple framework for speaking clearly on camera while maintaining natural presence. It supports steadiness, intention, and timing during live or hybrid events.
How much coaching is needed?
Most hosts make noticeable progress within a few sessions. The scope depends on the event, the role, and the level of exposure involved.
Do you support tech events and startup conferences?
Yes. The work is well suited to fast-moving environments where clarity, pace, and adaptability matter, including tech events and startup conferences.
Can we be trained remotely?
Yes. Remote coaching works well, especially when the event itself is virtual. For in-person events, onsite rehearsal is recommended to when possible.
