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Meet Chris Grimes (Motivational comedian, facilitator, coach, and broadcaster.).
Chris Grimes is a man who effortlessly combines the art of communication with the energy of improvisation, bringing to the corporate and creative world an approach focusing on storytelling and communication training for leaders. A motivational comedian, facilitator, coach, and broadcaster.
With over 25 years of experience, Chris transforms teams into better communicators, unlocking purposeful relationships and crafting impactful presentations through his signature "Personal Impact ‘Game Changer’ Programme."
The heart of this programme? Elevating skills from “Good” to “Great,” one interaction at a time.
In Mark's theoretical creative travel agency and 'fantasy cultural year' he whisked Chris off which provided many laughs. They finished by playing the This or That game to get to know Chris better.
Chris began his journey with a passion for storytelling, sparked by a love of comedy.
This passion blossomed during his formal training as a Drama Teacher at the Central School of Speech & Drama in London, followed by a celebrated stint at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he snagged the Peter Akerman Prize for Comedy.
With a background rooted in drama, comedy improvisation, and voice work, Chris has become known for his unique ability to draw humour into his training sessions, making them memorable, effective, and downright fun.
As Artistic Director of Instant Wit, his acclaimed comedy improv company founded in 1996, Chris brings laughter to theatres and corporate events alike. His ethos, grounded in "yes, and ...", the golden rule of improv, powers his approach to everything from corporate communication skills to stage performance, and even to the wilderness as the “Sherpa with a Flipchart” for The Fresh Air Leadership Company. Here,
Chris guides leaders on hikes across stunning landscapes, from the Scottish Highlands to the peaks of Ben Nevis, where coaching sessions transform into fresh-air “walkshops” for both body and mind.
In the world of broadcasting, Chris shines as the host of The Good Listening To Show, a storytelling podcast that’s part “Desert Island Discs” but set in Chris's whimsical "Clearing" rather than on a sandy shore.
With over 100 episodes and a reach spanning 54 countries on UK Health Radio, his show brings out personal insights and professional genius in each guest, encouraging audiences to unlock their own stories with flair.
Through his consultancy Second Curve, Chris mentors business leaders, helping them align with their next professional “curve” by mastering clarity, authenticity, and impactful communication. This consultancy, together with Chris’s freelance work for Working Voices, VOX Coaching, and The Fresh Air Leadership Company, enables him to empower clients worldwide, from London and New York to Hong Kong and Milan.
Chris’s career reflects his versatile talents—actor, improviser, facilitator, and coach—all channelled towards teaching and performing.
A true Comedy Creative at heart, Chris continues to inspire teams, bring laughter to audiences, and elevate the art of communication one story, one improv show, and one step up the “Second Curve” at a time.
Chris's fantasy cultural year
In the interview, Mark guided Chris through an imaginative and reflective exercise, creating a "fantasy cultural year." Chris, an accomplished storyteller, actor, and improvisational comedian, offered insights into his creative world and aspirations while participating in a series of thought-provoking questions designed by Mark Walmsley of the Arts and Culture Network.
The fantasy year commenced at Chris’s chosen starting point: the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, symbolic of his deep connection to the city where he studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Mark envisioned Chris at a summer café near the bridge, surrounded by books that inspire him, notably Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and Who Moved My Cheese?, reflecting his interest in leadership and human adaptability.
Chris's journey took him to Kampala, Uganda—a nod to his upbringing in the country—for a year-long study on storytelling. This immersive year included musical restrictions to the genre of rock, with Dire Straits as the primary artist of choice.
His time in Kampala featured a unique mix of local culture, such as traditional African dance performances, interspersed with high culture like a virtual visit to the world of Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. His culinary choice during this fantasy journey was a grand rodízio feast, showcasing his love for communal dining experiences.
Sports day featured Ugandan tennis championships, as Chris has an avid interest in racket sports. In the art realm, he envisioned stepping into the works of his comedic hero, Stan Laurel, reliving moments of classic film-making and vaudeville charm through virtual reality.
Mark then mapped out an eclectic week of arts and entertainment, inviting Chris to select a pop/rock concert featuring legends like Mark Knopfler, Sting, and David Bowie; a theatre night with a timeless Hamlet performed by Laurence Olivier; and a musical night dedicated to Les Misérables.
Opera featured Puccini’s Tosca, and a film evening concluded with Monty Python's Life of Brian paired with Laurel and Hardy shorts.
Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kampala welcomed the fantasy guest of honour: Stan Laurel himself. In an intriguing twist, Chris speculated that Laurel might wish to be accompanied by his comedy partner, Oliver Hardy, or perhaps Dick Van Dyke, whom Laurel once envisioned playing him in a biopic.
The exercise concluded as Chris envisioned his return home, the restrictions lifted, allowing him to indulge in Genesis’ Home by the Sea, marking the end of a year filled with creativity, culture, and connection.
Chris interviewed Mark on The Good Listening To podcast. Listen to the episode here!
You can find Chris on LinkedIn here.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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