Rainer Hersch

Rainer Hersch is a comedian and musician who has performed on every major comedy stage in Britain and abroad. He has appeared eleven times at the Edinburgh Festival; had numerous comedy-concert series at the South Bank in London; featured in comedy clubs all across Europe and in TV shows around the world.

Rainer's love for comedy and classical music began almost simultaneously, as did his need to share his passion with others. While still a schoolboy he developed a keen interest in Monty Python. He got permission to record their TV shows on the school's clunky video machine and would show them to his friends the following day during lunch break.

By the age of 12 he had already taken grades in the clarinet but was quickly drawn to the piano which he studied properly from the age of 14. This led to an obsession with piano music and, ultimately, a school concert society which he organised single-handed - presenting performances by Barry Douglas, later a winner of the Tchaikovsky piano competition, amongst others.

Rainer Hersch began his working life in the management of musical arts organisations. But the comedy had taken a hold and, unknown to his employers, he began moonlighting as a stand-up comedian on the London cabaret circuit. Short, unpaid slots in small clubs led to longer, paid appearances which in turn gradually developed into a parallel career.

Rainer slowly realised that this was his true vocation and in 1992 he apprehensively gave up his last job with a title, Touring Manager of the London Festival Orchestra, to enter the uncertain world of professional comedy.

Keynote Speaking
Rainer Hersch presents an engaging, structured performance called "Peak Performance - what can business learn from a symphony orchestra”. He uses comedy, a PowerPoint presentation and plenty of musical examples to discuss the question of leadership as applied by a music conductor.

Starting simply on the theme ‘what the hell does a conductor actually do?' Rainer goes on to touch on specific leadership challenges including:

Communication; Building trust; Teamwork; Working in collaboration; Encouraging passion and commitment; Creating and communicating a vision; Defining values; Leadership styles; Making best use of available resources; Managing the process of change; Guarding and enhancing the a reputation

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