Meet The Founder - Lead Trainer

Martin Woodsford is a professional celebrant and celebrant educator, recognised as a multi-award-winning professional with a background in care, communication and public speaking.

Before establishing his celebrant practice, Martin worked within nursing and end-of-life care, supporting individuals and families during some of life’s most significant moments. This experience informs his approach to celebrancy — grounded, compassionate and centred on people.

Martin has extensive experience in leading and supporting people on emotional journeys, helping individuals build confidence, find their voice, and achieve personal and professional growth. This work, alongside his public speaking, group leadership and stage experience, gives him a strong foundation in teaching celebrants not only how to write meaningful ceremonies, but how to deliver them with presence and authenticity.

He has also been involved in charitable and community leadership, including supporting carers and those living with dementia, further deepening his understanding of inclusion, dignity and human connection.

In addition to his celebrant work, Martin is a creative storyteller, developing original writing and theatrical work, which informs his understanding of narrative, emotion and audience connection — key elements in powerful ceremony creation.

The Martin Woodsford Celebrant Academy was created to offer structured, professional, real-time celebrant education that prepares graduates not only to write meaningful ceremonies, but to deliver them with confidence and to build sustainable celebrant businesses.

Graduates leave with practical skills, professional understanding and ongoing mentorship — not just theory.