Claire Huckle
Acting Coach | Public Speaking Specialist | Chief Examiner, RSL
Claire is a seasoned performer and educator with over two decades of professional experience in theatre, television, and performance training. She made her theatrical debut at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre at just nine years old and quickly rose through the ranks of the UK’s performance industry, signing with Sylvia Young’s agency and later earning a first-class BA (Hons) degree from the Guildford School of Acting on a scholarship.
Claire’s on-screen credits include notable roles such as Sophia in A Respectable Trade (BBC), Caroline in This is Dom Jolly (BBC), Liz Riley in Casualty (BBC), and Ross Kemp’s daughter in Without Motive (ITV). She has also featured in national commercial campaigns for Vodafone and ING Direct, and played leading roles in Doctor Who audio dramas for Big Finish.
In addition to her professional acting career, Claire is a highly respected educator. For the past 17 years, she has taught Public Speaking, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Screen Acting at Wellington College, UK, as well as Speech and Drama at St Hilary’s Preparatory School in Godalming. Her work focuses on helping students and professionals alike build confidence, refine their communication, and find their unique voice.
Claire currently serves as the Chief Examiner for RSL Awards (Stage School), overseeing national and international examinations in performance and speech. She has assessed thousands of students worldwide and is recognized for her high standards and deep commitment to developing talent.
In the corporate space, Claire applies her theatrical and communication expertise to coach professionals on mastering the art of impactful conversation and presenting with presence.
James Merry
Performance Coach | Communication Trainer | Corporate Roleplay Specialist
James is a seasoned actor, educator, and communication coach with over two decades of experience spanning stage, screen, and corporate development. With a foundation in professional performance and a deep understanding of human interaction, James helps individuals and organisations strengthen communication, build confidence, and connect with impact.
He began his performing career with the Carlton Junior Television Workshop in Birmingham, earning early television credits with ITV’s The Demon Headmaster and Scratchy & Co, as well as live performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome. James trained on a full scholarship at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Acting in 2005.
Since then, he has worked extensively in television and theatre, including roles in Birds of a Feather, Doctors, Endeavour, and a range of high-profile commercial campaigns. He is widely recognised for his role as Simon Brooklyn-Bell in CBeebies’
BAFTA-nominated Waffle the Wonder Dog and Waffle’s After School Club. His work as a live performer includes multiple seasons as the resident comic at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s annual pantomime.
Beyond performance, James brings his skills into the corporate world as a communication and roleplay training specialist. He has delivered training programs across industries — from retail and hospitality to healthcare and defence — using applied theatre techniques to improve leadership, customer interaction, and behavioural insight.
At Time2Act, James leads employability and enterprise workshops for young people aged 10 to 21, equipping future professionals with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. His teaching background also includes acting instruction at Stagecoach Performing Arts, The Pauline Quirke Academy, and independent schools nationwide.
James combines creativity, empathy, and practical expertise to help clients perform at their best — whether on stage, in the classroom, or in the boardroom.
