Sylvia MarshallKeynote Speaker

TESTIMONIALSSylvia’s down to earth approach and inspiring story wins hearts and minds

wherever she speaks. Coupled with her genuine desire to help others achieve, she is a must for any business event.

Mark Wareing, Managing Director, Barclays

You know I learn something new from every single renovation I look at. I’ve been

particularly inspired by Sylvia. Certainly in that case (Sessions House) fortune really will favour the brave.

The thing I like about this one (Sessions House) is that it’s not a renovation that’s just aimed at making extra space or indeed just trying to make a few quid. This one is driven by a relentless passion to see this building return to the state it was once in and I have to say that although Sylvia is about to start the rebuild, clearly along the way there will be many doubts and troubles and tribulations, if anybody can see this off and finish it, she can.

Jules Hudson, Presenter, Britain’s Empty Homes

Sylvia Marshall turned my business around in just six months. With a few simple, logical

instructions and a humane approach, she showed me how I could maximise profit, minimise effort and get my business and my staff back on track. Sylvia is that rare thing: a business trainer who makes the steps to success easy to follow and implement. With her years of experience and a sharp understanding of human nature, she is able to tailor her instructions to meet the needs of her audiences, big or small.

Jasmine Birtles, MoneyMagpie.com

Sylvia is a passionate and forward-thinking business leader, whose involvement in any

commercial project invariably leads to better margins and bigger profits.

Kate Faulkner, Property Analyst and Commentator

What a remarkable person Sylvia is! The same energy, determination and vision that made

her a million (or two) is now harnessed as a Speaker for conferences around the globe. ‘Can do’ doesn’t fully explain her approach to making a success of any business opportunity, but it’s a pretty good start! Thoroughly professional and a joy to work with.

Adrienne Lawler, NowYoureTalking.com

ABOUT SYLVIASylvia Marshall is one of the UK’s leading property, renovation and DIY entrepreneurs. Best known as an expert on the BBC1 ‘Britain’s Empty Homes, and as the founder of the country’s leading renovation and restoration website, CosyHomesOnline.com, her unique projects continue to inspire millions of homeowners worldwide.

Dubbed “one of the most inspirational and hardworking women on the planet”, she regularly appears in industry publications such as First Time Buyer, Real Homes Magazine, and Your Home. Her role as a female business leader has secured widespread exposure in every national newspaper including the Daily Mail, Independent, Sun, Mirror and Metro.

Sylvia is also a respected author. Her latest book, Zero to a Million is an amazing memoir, a motivational business guide, and an inspiring insight into one of the country’s most successful female entrepreneurs.

Until recently, Sylvia has been a regular keynote speaker on the corporate guru circuit, where international audiences of up to 20,000 delegates were not uncommon. She is also a designated Business Ambassador and works tirelessly to promote and support her beloved home county of Surrey.

BACKGROUNDFor the past two decades, Sylvia Marshall has been at the forefront of British and international business training and development. She has transformed dozens of ailing businesses through a combination of strategic thinking and bold, forward- thinking leadership.

Having completed a doctorate in Business Psychology, her remarkable career began as the training director for American International Group (AIG). She went on to launch the international training and consultancy agency, Able Training International, in 1992. The business grew into a global market leader in its sector, and mentored senior executives of many of the world’s largest financial institutions.

Fast-forward a decade, and Sylvia was unexpectedly, but fortuitously, introduced to the world of property renovation. Following a sudden hike in commercial rent, she bought a derelict bank in Croydon with a view of converting it into an exclusive office complex. It would be the biggest, and boldest, decision of her life.

“The builders I hired turned-out to be cowboys and, rather than risk more botched work, I decided to tackle the project myself,” she said.

Despite no practical knowledge, she learned the craft the hard way – by trial and error – and slowly began making headway. Within the space of a few years, she filmed the work as she went and uploaded the footage online. To her surprise, her videos of triumphs and disasters became an instant hit and attracted audiences of up to 100,000 in more than 20 countries worldwide. CosyHomesOnline.com, Britain’s best-loved and fastest-growing online tutorial platform, was born…

Britain’s best- loved and fastest- growing online tutorial platform,

was born…

Within the space of a few years, Sylvia’s passion for renovation took her to Wester Ross, in the wilds of north Scotland, where she set about building a new Scottish croft. As before, her “warts ‘n all” videos became an overnight internet sensation. [Sylvia would return to Wester Ross a few years later to begin her first commercial project – to build four other crofts. Where other, lesser, developers would have cut corners, Sylvia chose to use traditional methods and use only authentic materials. She used each and every stone from derelict crofts on the site, and painstakingly reassembled them to ensure she “protected the future whilst respecting the past” – a philosophy she has stuck to ever since. The crofts she created won the hearts of residents and homebuyers, and the respect of historians and Scottish Natural Heritage.]

In 2008, Sylvia embarked on what the media described as one of the most difficult and daring restoration projects in West Sussex by saving a magnificent 16th-Century, Grade II-listed thatched cottage in Selsey. The property had been left completely gutted by fire but, with the support of English Heritage, returned Sessions House to its former glory. The project was viewed by millions after it aired on BBC’s Empty Homes.

Sylvia – the holder of a coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK National Sales Awards – is now one of the UK’s most celebrated women in business. She is also one of the most decorated after qualifying in bricklaying, plastering, tiling, plumbing, carpentry and electrics. CosyHomesOnline.com has more than 70,000 worldwide members while her new ‘DIY-divvy’ site, BubsyDogDIY. com – which offers handy hints and insider tips about home improvements – was voted site of the week by Real Homes Magazine.

From the outset – and long before ‘corporate responsibility’ became the norm, Sylvia was determined that her businesses should “give something back”. This ethos has led to a partnership with the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

BRIEF CAREER C.V.2007 - Present

Founder and managing director, CosyHomesOnline & BubsyDogDIY

Key facts: Worldwide membership of 80,000; commended and recommended by Scottish Heritage; website sponsors include Screwfix and Black and Decker.

1992 - 2007

Founder and director, Able Training International

Key Facts: International blue chip client base; mentored senior executives from major financial institutions; key role in formation and launch of the NVQ in Financial Services; designed a training portfolio geared to the markets of Eastern Europe.”

1985 - 1992

Training Director, American International Group (AIG) Life

Key Facts: Created the PFP sales system (adopted world-wide and formed the cornerstone of all agent development programmes); implemented training strategies throughout the 60 territories; controlled multi-million pound budgets; mentor for training managers.

Additional Career Facts

• Oneofthefirstfemalemanagersinthefinancialsector

• AttainedFellowshipoftheCharteredInstituteofPersonnelDevelopment

• GainedanMAinHumanResourcesStrategyandadoctorateinBusinessPsychology whilst running ATI

• LifetimeAchievementAward2007

• LifetimeFellowoftheInstituteofDirectors

• InvitedtowriteabookaimedatSMEstosharelifetimeexperiencesof building and maintaining a successful SME

• Keynotespeeches:FromPassion toProfit,Zero toaMillion,Size Matters!, Dare to be Different

ENQUIRIES

Sylvia Marshall is represented by Palamedes. Media enquiriesabout Sylvia Marshall should be directed to Jon Kirk.

Telephone 0207 1383067 or email jon.kirk@palamedespr.com