Becky Walsh
Founder, Council Culture
Council Behaviour, Culture and Communications Specialist

Becky Walsh is a qualified counsellor and a Level 7 qualified coach. She also holds a professional qualification in Public Relations with the CIPR and is ILCA certified. She holds a degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where she studied the relationship between self, society and cultural systems.

Drawing on her background in counselling, psychology and organisational behaviour, Becky helps councils understand why conflict escalates, how relationships break down, and what leaders can do to create environments where people think clearly, communicate well and make better decisions together.

Her work moves beyond governance and procedure to explore the human systems that sit underneath effective local government. She is recognised for translating complex psychological concepts into practical tools that councillors, clerks and officers can apply immediately in meetings, difficult conversations and everyday decision-making.

Becky's sessions combine behavioural science, group dynamics and communication psychology with warmth, humour and practical insight. Rather than focusing on blame or compliance, she helps councils recognise the patterns that lead to dysfunction and equips them with the skills to build trust, regulate conflict and strengthen collaborative leadership.

She is particularly known for her work on nervous system regulation, assumption-based thinking, psychological safety, repair after conflict and creating positive council cultures that support both high standards and public confidence.

As a speaker, Becky is engaging, thought-provoking and refreshingly practical. She creates a safe environment where participants can reflect honestly, laugh together and leave with a renewed sense of purpose. Her sessions consistently receive praise for making challenging subjects accessible, memorable and immediately applicable.

Becky works with town, parish, community, councils and monitoring officers across the UK, supporting elected members, clerks and officers to create healthier cultures, stronger relationships and more effective local governance.

Becky has worked within councils in senior communications roles for almost a decade, giving her direct insight into member–officer dynamics, political pressure, public scrutiny and the realities of local governance.

In 2022, the Society of Local Council Clerks joined with the National Association of Local Councils, One Voice Wales and the Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils to establish a national Civility and Respect training working group. Becky was commissioned to design and deliver a four-part national webinar programme as part of this initiative. She continues to deliver Civility and Respect and culture training across the sector, supporting councils to strengthen leadership, stabilise meeting conduct and rebuild public trust.

Becky’s background in theatre, broadcasting and comedy allows her to address entrenched behavioural patterns without humiliation, corporate HR language or political posturing. She uses humour deliberately to reduce defensiveness and lower emotional temperature. Once threat responses settle, reflection and accountability become possible.

Beyond local government, Becky is an experienced broadcaster and stage professional. She has presented on BBC and LBC Radio, hosted her own television programme, authored five books, including the internationally published You Do Know, written regularly for sector publications including The Clerk magazine, and served as a senior curator, coach and script editor for TEDx Bristol. Earlier in her career, she worked for 15 years as a West End stage manager. She brings stage presence, psychological depth and strategic clarity to complex council environments.