About us

We are the UK’s leading etiquette and protocol institute offering training sessions and courses, seminars and presentations across the world.

Our strengths

Highly accredited

We are accredited as a Provider of Training Excellence, offers Institute of Leadership-approved training, and is a member of Leading Protocol & Etiquette Schools of the World.

Industry leader

Having celebrated 20 years in 2021, The English Manner is the UK’s most-established etiquette and training institute and is well-known for providing confidence-enhancing training for life.

Variety of training

We offer an extensive range of services including; in-person and online training, video tutorials and private tutoring. We also work with private and corporate clients for a range of needs.

More than 20 years’ experience

The English Manner is the UK’s leading etiquette and protocol institute.

We offer training sessions and courses, seminars and presentations across the world, working with royal and diplomatic households, leading corporations and businesses, schools, universities and individual clients.

The English Manner was founded in 2001 by Alexandra Messervy, formerly of the Royal Household of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Alexandra worked in the Master of the Household’s department and helped plan many high-profile royal events, including state visits, overseas tours, weddings and christenings. She later went on to consult for the Lucie Clayton College (established 1928) whose finishing school has now been subsumed into The English Manner.

Today, all our training programmes are designed by one of the world’s leading experts in etiquette, William Hanson, now an Executive Director, and Viviane Martins – both co-owners of The English Manner.

Our Credentials

Our clients

We work with brands and organisations to provide detailed and tailored protocol advice ahead of events, marketing activations and launches giving them reassurance that key stakeholders from many different countries, faiths and backgrounds are treated with respect and charm at all stages.

The UK’s most established etiquette and protocol training institute

Our accredited etiquette and protocol training and consultancy services are extensive, bringing contemporary, cross-cultural relevance to traditional values.

The English Manner’s individual and group training sessions are carefully designed to develop and add value to clients as they approach a range of social and professional situations.

A deputy-CEO wishing to add unparalleled interpersonal skills to gain a competitive edge
A corporate partner aiming to up their game when it comes to client entertaining
An individual wishing to increase their knowledge and skills in social settings

Our pool of highly knowledgeable, expert tutors will assist.

Our courses

Why choose us?

The English Manner is accredited as a Provider of Training Excellence, offers Institute of Leadership approved training, and is a member of Leading Protocol & Etiquette Schools of the World.

Our people

We are grateful to work with industry leaders who each enjoy haring their life experience, knowledge and personality with our clients.

About William Hanson

William joined The English Manner in 2008 before taking ownership in 2019. He is widely regarded as the freshest and most trusted authority on etiquette and civility, with his relative youth and old-fashioned values making him an arbiter of modern manners.

Based in London, William’s work sees him teach in the UK and all over the world, including in Europe, America, China, south-east Asia and GCC countries. He is a trusted advisor and trainer to many official households, embassies, businesses and academic institutes.

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About Jo Bryant

Described by The Telegraph as ‘the empress of etiquette’, Jo joined The English Manner in 2019 from Debrett’s, where she spent over a decade as a tutor and the editor of more than fifteen acclaimed books on etiquette and modern manners.

Jo has worked with leading restaurant and hospitality groups, luxury retail brands, top concierge agencies and exclusive education specialists, along with private clients from all over the world.

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About Diana Mather

A former BBC newsreader, Diana has decades of first-rate communication and presentation skills.

In the mid-eighties, Diana moved from a successful career in broadcasting to begin training in personal brand and media skills.

When the British parliament was first televised, Diana was one of the first people to help politicians improve their overall public performance.

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About Alexandra Messervy

Previously a consultant to the world-famous finishing school, Lucie Clayton, Alexandra brings over forty years of experience in etiquette, protocol and event planning and began her career in the Royal Household of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Alexandra enhanced her entertaining and social skills development knowledge working latterly for other members of the Royal Family and on several well-known charitable committees before founding The English Manner in 2001.

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About Steven Moore

Steven is a well-known and respected voice on tableware and its history, as well as a proven creative force in their contemporary manufacture, design, marketing and retail.

Steven has worked as an antiques dealer, auctioneer and museum curator and is a published author and writer for magazines such as Country Life, Gardens Illustrated, and World of Interiors.

He is best known for his appearances on the BBC’s antiques programming, particularly Antiques Roadshow, where he has been a regular expert since 2003, and Antiques Roadtrip, since 2019.

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Book a course

Whether you wish to gain some social polish or some added confidence for your professional life, you’re always welcome at The English Manner, online or in person.

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