My main aim as Toastmaster / Master of Ceremonies is to take the agreed plan of your event and make it work on the day, so that everything runs smoothly and on time and all the announcements are made using the correct etiquette. After several months planning and preparation, you want everything to be just right. This is one time when it really pays to have an experienced Toastmaster to guide you through the pitfalls rather than ‘winging it’ on the day, so that you can relax with your guests and let me soak up the stress.

Image by Ross Pont Photography

I can offer expert planning advice on procedure, timing and etiquette, and agree an outline plan as you want it to be. Dressed in my hunting pink livery to lend gravitas and style to your event, I will work with your function manager, photographer, entertainers, and other suppliers.

I cover weddings of most cultures (including Jewish, Asian and Mediterranean), other family celebrations (including wedding anniversaries, renewal of wedding vows, significant birthdays, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah), and formal dinners (including Masonic Ladies Festivals, charity and fundraising receptions, civic and corporate functions, and – may it please your Majesty – royal engagements).

I have an eye for detail and a light touch to ensure that your function, is enjoyable and memorable for all the right reasons. I work with people, not clients, and have been told that I have a positive personality, a calm and reassuring manner, and a sense of occasion that befits a traditional role.

image by Joshua Sherwood Photography

Tracy writes: “John was the Toastmaster / Master of Ceremonies for our Wedding Awards Gala Presentation at Knebworth House. He was super-efficient and professional with his admin and communication before and during the event, providing a detailed schedule. Very calm, friendly and extremely smartly dressed. He arrived early to familiarise himself with the venue and the schedule, offering suggestions where he felt they would help the smooth flow of the event. His assistance throughout the event was discreet and professional and he dealt with any changes with calming flexibility. He presented the charity raffle and made great suggestions for the Silent Auction we ran on the night. He clearly knows his stuff! The evening ran perfectly and that was partly due to John’s presence. I would recommend John where you require the event to run smoothly in a calm, organised and professional way.”

Image by Zoë Warboys Photagraphy

As a Fellow of the Guild of Professional Toastmasters, I have been trained to the highest standards of the Professional Toastmasters’ Academy. One of the benefits of engaging the services of a Fellow of the Guild is that you can be confident that a substitute can be found at short notice, should your Toastmaster be unable to fulfil that engagement for any reason.

I live in Eastbury, South-West Hertfordshire and I am therefore ideally placed for engagements in South-East England, Greater London, the Home Counties and beyond: Have Gavel, Will Travel.

Toastmaster of the Year 2023 (London & Home Counties) in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023
Toastmaster & MC of the Year 2024 (South East England) in the Global Wedding Awards 2024

Follow my Instagram stories and posts  @JohnAshmeleToastmaster, and rest assured; I will always work with your best interests in mind, so please contact me to discuss your event.

John Ashmele FGPT
Fellow of the Guild of Professional Toastmasters
Graduate of the Professional Toastmasters’ Academy
m: 07710 400412 e: john@ashmele.co.uk