Mairi McHaffie has been working with emerging and senior leaders for over 16 years, designing and delivering bespoke people development and talent initiatives globally across the sectors. Specialising in Behavioural Change and career development initiatives, she helps individuals to find their voice and unique presence in order to flex their behaviours confidently through visual, vocal and verbal impact and build their interpersonal skills. She is a sought-after Speaker and Moderator for large-scale corporate events.
Mairi's career began after training as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She became a successful BBC TV Presenter, Reporter and theatre, TV and film actor. Following her presenting journey, she joined the Ministry of Justice in 2000 as an Executive Assistant to a Senior Civil Servant before becoming a Coaching Squared Programme Manager in 2005. Mairi led the programme from the concept to pilot stages, ensuring that the success factors were consistently met. In 2009, Mairi founded the SceneChange Creative Consultants Ltd, where she continues to serve as Managing Director. There, she specialises in bespoke people development and talent initiatives and has been shortlisted for several diversity awards.
Currently, Mairi is focusing on the generational divide between the expectations of GenX leaders and GenZ talent, with a particular lens on upskilling the communication capabilities of the younger generation entering careers. She is the founder of the UK Houses of Parliament Women into Leadership Mentoring Programme and a regular expert trainer for the University of Oxford. Building on her classroom and conference work, she has delivered a multitude of virtual, global, interactive learning events, enabling cross-cultural clients to manage change, support their people and customers and effectively evolve behaviours.
With her expertise, including influencing skills, presenting with impact, Gen Z communication skills, unconscious bias awareness and more, she is an influential keynote speaker. Along with industry experience across numerous sectors, including being a judge for the BBC Apprentice Finals and the WeAreTheCity Rising Stars Awards for pipeline female talent across industries. Mairi uses psychology, performance techniques and skills practice to enable behavioural change in individuals and influence successful organisational culture.
Mairi McHaffie's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Influencing Skills & Presenting with Impact
- Gen Z Communication & Leadership Skills
- Interpersonal Communication & the Power Showing up
- Managing Crucial Conversations & Feedback Challenges
- Interactive Forum Theatre with Actos – Redirecting the Narrative
"Thanks for agreeing to host the event for us – you did a fantastic job, including keeping everyone to time!" - Partner, Advisory Services
"I would really like to highlight the superb quality of Mairi’s facilitation. It was seamless
from a participant perspective, but I know she had to flex many times to make that
happen. A facilitation masterclass from where I was sat!" - Facilities Director, Consulting
"Hi Mairi – quick note to say a big thanks for the work you did with us in prep for the
Investor Day. Unanimously positive feedback tells us it was a great success, with
stand-out performances" - President, Global Logistics
"It was a roaring success, massively attended, and the feedback has been brilliant from
colleagues, global leadership and most importantly, our investors." - European Director, Sustainable Energy
"Just wanted to say a big thank you. I’ve had some great feedback about your support
and seems like a fair few of our colleagues have gone through a transformation during
this process." - HR Business Partner, Global Logistics
"I just wanted to say a special thank you to you…It helped me let go of a lot of things and really focus on my growth as a leader, so much so that I was promoted to Vice President last week. How cool is that! I couldn’t have done it without you" - VP, Global Payment Card Network
"Thanks, Mairi, I thought the session was excellent this morning. Thank you." - HR Director, National Pensions Advisory Services
"Thanks so much, Mairi. Our people loved it!" - Global Head of People, Consulting
"Everyone bought into you and said you made them feel at ease. They liked the fact that it
didn’t feel classroom-based." - HR Business Partner, Global Media and Sports Talent and Marketing Agency
- 2016 - Subject Matter Expert Learning Associate at KPMG UK
- 2009 - Founded & became Managing Director of SceneChange Creative Consultants Ltd
- 2005 - Joined the Corporate Equality Division at the Ministry of Justice
- 2000 - Joined the Magistrates Division & Asylum & Immigration Policy at the Ministry of Justice
- 1995 - Presented the BBC's Animal Hospital
- 1993 - Became a BBC Presenter
How to hire Mairi McHaffie
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Mairi McHaffie for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
