Biographies

MICHAEL SMITH is the founder and managing partner of Griffonage. Commissioned into the RAF in 1970 as a Business Studies graduate Michael subsequently became the Law Tutor at the RAF College, Cranwell, and then after further staff and command appointments he was appointed as a tutor at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell, of which he is a graduate. In the mid-1980s Michael was appointed as a Personal Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staffs. Leaving the RAF in 1990 to join the management consultancy, P-E International, he established Griffonage in 1996.

Since then he has specialised in senior executive recruitment. In doing so he has undertaken over 8,500 hours of interviewing in Amsterdam, Bahrain, Berlin, Boston, Dallas, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Milan, Montreal, New York, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Singapore, Shanghai and Stockholm. Since 2005 he has added executive coaching to his portfolio and now operates exclusively with Rebekah Gilbert.

Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Executive Coaching from Liverpool University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, of the Chartered Management Institute, and of the Royal Society of Arts. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and sits as a member of the Aerospace Defence and Homeland Security Board of the Society of British Aerospace Companies. In 2008 he commenced, with Rebekah, a joint Professional Doctorate in International Search and Executive Coaching with Middlesex University.

These Government, Industry and Professional connections are linked to Academe and the City of London as Michael is a member of the Court of Cranfield University, an External Adviser to the University of Chester, a Freeman of the City, a member of the Governing Body of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers.

REBEKAH GILBERT studied singing at the Royal Academy of Music, Britain’s senior conservatoire, gaining a First in her voice teaching Diploma in 1992 and graduating with Honours as a performer in 1993. She then gained a Masters Degree in Management from City University in 1994.

Rebekah started her first business in 1990, as concert promoter and orchestral manager of a highly successful ensemble giving over 40 concerts a year in central London. During this time Rebekah also worked as a professional concert singer, appearing as a soloist at the Covent Garden Festival and at leading London venues. Rebekah gave the first Christmas Day evening broadcast on Classic FM recorded live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. She brings this highly extensive experience to voice coaching.

Gaining an interest in politics, she went to work at the Greater London Authority as Chief Aide to the leader of the Conservative Group. Rebekah took up the Chief of Staff appointment to an MP at the House of Commons, working at Shadow Cabinet level for over five years. Like Michael she is fully security cleared. In 2006 she was elected as a London Borough Councillor.  Additionally, she is a Freeman of the City of London.

Rebekah’s second business was founded in 2005: Viva Voce Presentations provided voice training and presentational skills. After extensive training in Stress Management & Wellbeing, Anatomy & Physiology, Sports and Holistic Massage, and gaining internationally recognised diplomas in each discipline, Rebekah broadened this to Viva Wellbeing in 2007. The complete package is now offered through Griffonage.

Rebekah is a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and the British Voice Association.