About Terry Williams

Terry Williams is a New Zealand-based leadership trainer, facilitator, and keynote speaker with close to three decades of experience helping businesses build stronger leaders and healthier teams. Since 2001 he has run The People Engagement Experts, delivering leadership, communication, and sales training, coaching, and facilitation to organisations across New Zealand and beyond.

Credentials & recognition

Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) — awarded 2019 by Professional Speakers Australia, a credential held by a small percentage of professional speakers worldwide
Delivered leadership, sales, and performance training to more than 14,000 participants since 2007, as an independent facilitator and via contract work with training providers including PD Training, Cardinal Solutions, and The Learning Wave
Author of two published books: The Guide: How to Kiss, Get a Job & Other Stuff You Need to Know (Hachette NZ, 2008) and The Brain-Based Boss (Thomson Reuters, 2013)
Former columnist for Employment Today (2012–2019) and the NZ Herald Careers section (2012–2014)
Delivered a business improvement programme to Mitre 10 Mega Petone that contributed to over $100,000 in revenue improvement
Postgraduate DBA (Management), Massey University; Bachelor of Arts (History), University of Canterbury

Background

Before moving into full-time training and speaking, Terry spent over a decade in customer service and contact centre leadership, including managing a 40-strong team and a two-million-dollar operational budget as Manager of Customer Relationships at North Shore City Council, where he built and expanded the council's contact centre and was a finalist in the TUANZ Call Centre of the Year awards. That operational, results-driven background shapes his training today: practical, outcome-focused, and grounded in real workplace pressures rather than theory alone.

Since 2001, Terry has worked with organisations including Red Bull, Kia, TSB Bank, Minter Ellison, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Southern Cross Healthcare, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, McDonald's, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Humes, Gallagher Insurance, New Plymouth District Council, Orion Health, and Downer — delivering everything from single leadership workshops to multi-day, organisation-wide programmes.

Speaking & facilitation style

Terry is known for combining practical, evidence-based content with genuine comedic delivery — a background that includes performing three solo shows at the NZ International Comedy Festival. Clients consistently note that this makes otherwise dry or difficult topics (change management, difficult conversations, compliance-driven training) engaging and memorable, without losing the substance.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)?

CSP is a professional accreditation awarded by professional speaking associations (in Terry's case, Professional Speakers Australia) to recognise speakers who meet high standards of experience, competence, and professionalism. It is held by a relatively small number of speakers internationally.

How many people has Terry trained?

Terry has delivered leadership, sales, and performance training programmes to more than 14,000 participants since 2007, across New Zealand businesses and organisations of all sizes.

What books has Terry written?

The Guide: How to Kiss, Get a Job & Other Stuff You Need to Know (Hachette NZ, 2008) and The Brain-Based Boss (Thomson Reuters, 2013).

What industries does Terry work with?

Terry has worked across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, defence, banking and finance, law, retail, manufacturing, local government, and food and beverage — tailoring content to each organisation's specific context.

Does Terry train, speak, or both?

Both. Terry runs structured training and facilitation programmes (leadership, EI, difficult conversations, facilitation, sales) as well as working as a keynote speaker and conference MC.

Want to know more or discuss your team's needs? Contact Terry — or connect on LinkedIn.