GENERATIONS, GROWTH AND CONNECTION: ALASTAIR GREENER STEPS INTO PSA PRESIDENCY
The Professional Speaking Association UK and Ireland has appointed generational communication specialist Alastair Greener as its President for 2026, as the organisation looks to support members navigating rapid change across the speaking and events industry.
Mr Greener’s appointment was announced at the Association’s annual Speaking Business Summit in Telford last October, where members from across the UK and Ireland gathered for two days of talks, workshops and networking. The summit highlighted how the profession is adapting to new delivery models, from digital platforms and hybrid events to increasingly international audiences.
Speaking after his appointment, Mr Greener said he felt “excited, proud and genuinely honoured” to take on the role, describing the presidency as “a real milestone moment” after many years as an active member of the Association.
Based on the Wiltshire and Berkshire border, Mr Greener succeeds outgoing President Michelle Mills-Porter, whom he credited with strengthening the sense of community within the organisation. Reflecting on her tenure, he said that watching her bring people together over the past year had reinforced “just how powerful the PSA community can be when people share ideas and support one another”.
He said the atmosphere at the Telford summit underlined how much the profession continues to evolve. “With more speakers now delivering talks across digital platforms, hybrid events and international stages, connection matters more than ever,” Mr Greener said. “That’s why I’ve chosen The Art of Connection as my theme for the year ahead.”
The theme is intended to encourage members to think more deliberately about how they build relationships with audiences, clients and peers, particularly at a time when communication styles and expectations can vary widely across generations.
During his Presidency, Mr Greener plans to visit all 14 PSA regions, meeting members to share ideas and showcase the different ways professional speakers are developing sustainable businesses. He said he is keen to understand how individuals are adapting to a fast-changing industry while maintaining meaningful careers.
Two flagship events will anchor the PSA calendar in 2026. IMPACT! will take place in Leeds on 18 April, followed by the Speaking Business Summit on 16 and 17 October at the Oxford Belfry Hotel and Spa. Mr Greener said both events would build on the momentum created in Telford and help deepen collaboration across the membership.
“The PSA is at its strongest when people stay curious and keep learning from each other,” he said.
Alongside his role within the Association, Mr Greener works as a communication consultant and speaker specialising in generational communication. His first book, Generationally Speaking: How to bridge the generation gap and communicate with confidence, published late last year, explores how eight generations can communicate more effectively at work and in everyday life.
He also hosts The Generationally Speaking Podcast, where he speaks with guests from business, education and the media about how different generations view the world and the workplace.
