Sue Calthorpe
Which Organisations Has Sue Worked With Recently?
Serious Fraud Office
Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Home Office
Met Police
Crown Prosecution Service
Westminster City Council
Ministry of Justice
London Borough of Lewisham
NHS England
Office of the Public Guardian
City University
UK Finance Limited
HM Revenue and Customs
Crown Commercial Service
Department for the Economy Northern Ireland
Flintshire County Council
South Wales Police
London Borough of Sutton
Department for Education
Office For National Statistics
Environment Agency
Department for Transport
Royal Society
British Business Bank
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Avon Fire and Rescue
Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Sue leads several CPD-certified courses, including:
Effective Briefings and Submissions
Learn how to craft clear and persuasive briefings that inform decision-making.Developing Effective Written Responses to Complaints
Master the art of responding to complaints with clarity and empathy.Advanced Minute Taking
Enhance your ability to capture accurate and actionable meeting minutes.Writing Policies and Procedures
Gain skills to write clear, concise and compliant policies and procedures.
View our Communication and Influence training solutions for more information
Introducing Sue Calthorpe
For Clear, Concise and Effective Writing
With over 30 years of experience in media and communications, Sue Calthorpe specialises in transforming complex information into clear, concise and impactful written content. Her expertise spans:
Policy documents and submissions
Briefing papers and executive summaries
Complaint handling and responses
Promotional and persuasive writing
Writing for diverse audiences, including those with neurodivergent processes or disabilities
Before founding her own communications consultancy, Sue worked as a regional and national newspaper journalist, honing her ability to distil complex stories into accessible narratives. She has since trained organisations across the UK and internationally, including in France, Qatar, India and Bangladesh.
Training Approach
Sue’s training focuses primarily on mastering clear, concise and effective writing for policy, briefings and professional communication. She equips professionals with practical tools and techniques to:
Craft well-structured, impactful documents that engage diverse audiences
Simplify complex information without losing nuance or authority
Write with clarity, precision and an appropriate tone for public sector contexts
Develop inclusive content that meets accessibility standards
Alongside these core writing skills, Sue also provides guidance on editing AI-generated drafts to ensure they meet high standards of clarity, accuracy and professionalism. She helps delegates to:
Recognise when AI content needs refinement or reworking
Enhance AI-produced text with human insight and contextual knowledge
Maintain authentic communication and the organisation’s voice, even when working with AI tools
Not only is Sue highly knowledgeable and experienced, but she also strives to create a comfortable and open learning environment for everyone, no matter your job level or writing experience. With her invaluable feedback and ability to read the room, Sue’s training has had a serious positive impact on delegates, building confidence and improving communication effectiveness across a variety of professional settings.
Delegate Feedback
“This is honestly one of the best one-day courses I have ever attended – Susan’s knowledge and know how are astounding.” – Head of Nursing, BCUHB.
- Course: Developing Effective Written Responses to Complaints“Great teacher! Engaging and huge knowledge base and experience. Very personable – remembered all our names!” – Policy and Parliamentary Officer, British Council.
- Course: Effective Briefings and Submission“I thought the trainer was exceptional. She was interactive, experienced and built a very good rapport with participants. The handouts will be very useful also.” – Senior Office, National Crime Agency.
- Course: Effective Briefings and Submission“Sue was so knowledgeable, engaging and excellent. Very useful examples used.” – Appeals and Complaints Officer, Goldsmith University.
- Course: Effective Written Responses to Complaints“Fantastic course, trainer and facilitator. I am really pleased I attended the course and have learned new skills and techniques.” – Executive Assistant, Saint Francis Hospice.
- Course: Advanced Minute Taking
Featured Insights
Sue regularly shares her expertise through articles and guides, such as:
“I was lucky enough to attend ‘Effective Briefings and Submissions’. The training Sue gave has had an instant impact on my daily work, improving all forms of my written communication.
If you work in the public sector and are struggling with reports, emails, briefings or complaints, I would highly recommend Sue as a trainer. ”