Our network

We have a network of ambassadors who can answer questions or connect people with information or support in their department or agency. What we offer:

• Connections to people like you as well as a network of allies
• Contacts in your department or agency or nearby work location
• A buddy network across the UK
• Social media groups to share with other stammerers in safe spaces
• Social events, workshops and opportunities to network
• Information, advice and guidance on stammering and communication at work

Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Michael Fletcher works for the Intellectual Property Office and is based in Newport, South Wales. He has an overt stammer sometimes severe and is also the Chair of the BEIS Stammering Network. He is an active graduate of the McGuire Programme and happy to connect with anyone wanting to practice the techniques.

Paul Barrett joined the civil service after completing postgraduate studies in science. He has enjoyed almost 20 years in a range of interesting roles including air quality, flood management, nuclear resilience and running a Defra Innovation Centre. He has stammered since childhood and now manages his covert stammer.

Insolvency Service (part of Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
Sean Glasson works for the Official Receiver’s Office in the Insolvency Service. He has an overt stammer and has recently decided to be more open about his stammer.

Ministry of Defence
Walter Scott is the co-founder of the Defence Stammering Network and has stammered since early childhood.

Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Hannah Thornley is a Digital Communications manager and wants to raise awareness of stammering as well as supporting and encouraging those who stammer. She is a member of Stamma’s Women Who Stammer as well as the London Stammering Network.

Department of Education
Mark James works for the Department for Education (DfE) in London. He developed an overt stammer in early childhood, and now manages a covert stammer. He is trying to be more open about it, and more active to help others in the stammering community.

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Claire-Louise Partridge is based in Bristol and leads Defra’s stammering network, which supports both its staff and customers. She became a civil servant in 2017 and is Head of Performance, governance and business improvement, regularly presenting and leading events. She has always stammered and has been on long journey to self acceptance.

General Registry Office
John Stevenson works at the General Registry Office in Southport and is a covert stammerer.

HMRC
Damian Trower works in Portcullis House Glasgow.  He has stammered since childhood and usually on ‘plosive’ sounds (d, p, t) and occasional glottal (c, g). He doesn’t avoid speaking situations and has leant to be kind to himself when he stammers.

Thomas Sharp graduated in 2000 and has had various roles in the Civil Service. He is currently working for HMRC in a public facing role.

The National Archives / Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Andrew Janes is a registered archivist and has been a member of the British Stammering Association for many years.

Defence Science and Technology Lab
Alan Thompson is the Speech Impairment lead at DSTL and is an overt stammerer since childhood. He is based at Porton Down in Wiltshire, but since Covid19 has worked mostly remotely. Therefore he has a particular interest in verbal communication and new ways of working. He would like, to promote awareness and understanding of speech impairments.

HM Treasury
Tim Henretty has worked in a number of Civil Service departments over the last ten years and has stammered since early childhood.

Home Office (Immigration)
Richard Roaf developed his stammer late in life (into his 30s) after several epileptic attacks.

Department for International Trade
Oliver Schofield-Robinson leads the disability subgroup for stammering within the Department for International Trade and is a Coach on the McGuire Programme. He is very open about his stammer and is always looking to find new opportunities for speaking challenges and personal growth. He would love to hear from you.

Welsh Government
Geraint Huxtable works within the International Relations departments at the Welsh Government and is based in Cardiff, South Wales. He has an overt stammer that become particularly apparent in times of stress (e.g. at job interviews or when having to deliver speeches or presentations). He’s fed up of avoiding public speaking and is eager to meet colleagues to share experiences and discuss coping mechanisms. 

Department for Work and Pensions
Angela Morgan works in the Essex Business Assurance Team in Southend-on-Sea. She has a covert stammer but has recently started being open about it.

Alumni

The network was founded by Betony Kelly during her nearly 10 year career in the Civil Service working in organisational design, change and engagement. She started STAMMA Civil Service when she became frustrated with being silent about the daily challenge of speaking and started to be more open about her stammer. She has also been an active Trustee for STAMMA British Stammering Association and is still passionate about creating inclusive communications cultures.