BROCKLEY, U.K. - s4story -- After founding The Comedy Store Players in 1985 and improvising with them on Sundays ever since, Neil Mullarkey  is stepping back from the legendary troupe but will continue to develop his communication work.

A pioneer in applying the principles of improv to leadership, teamwork and creativity, Mullarkey has spent more than two decades helping organisations in professional services, finance, tech, media, pharmaceuticals, the public sector, consumer goods and more, as well as business schools, across 27 countries so far.

"My corporate work started as a 'side gig' but soon became my main stage," he said. His clients have included Google, Unilever, Vodafone and London Business School.

"I have often worked seven days a week over the last two decades: five days of running workshops, hosting conferences, giving keynote speeches or coaching senior leaders, leaving Saturday to write my proposals and workshop outlines (and my books). Then Sundays at the Store. I think I deserve a day of rest now."

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But he won't be putting his feet up as, alongside his expanding business work, he is launching a new venture, Stop Selling, Start Solving, with Simon Wylie, (former CEO and now consultant to media/ad agencies).

"Clients don't want to be sold to – they want their problems solved," says Mullarkey. "As generative AI takes over repetitive work the skills that remain – empathy, curiosity, narrative and trust-building – are the ones that can't be copied or coded. Clients don't want to be persuaded but to be understood. Then to be partners in co-creating the story of where they could go in the future."

"Improv isn't just for comedy – it's a toolkit for leadership," says Mullarkey. "The same skills that make a performance work – listening, adapting and co-creating narrative – are the ones that drive innovation and trust in business."

Mullarkey's fourth book, In the Moment: Build your confidence, communication and creativity at work, was shortlisted for The Business Book Awards 2024 and has cemented his reputation as one of the UK's leading voices on workplace communication.

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Mullarkey, described by fellow improv expert Josie Lawrence as "the linchpin" of The Comedy Store Players, co-founded the troupe alongside Paul Merton and Mike Myers, helping to establish it as the world's longest-running improv comedy group. The Players have sold over a million tickets and are recognised by Guinness World Records for their longevity.

His final performances will take place on 16th and 30th November and 14th, 21st and 28th December 2025, with a special farewell show on 4th January 2026 at London's iconic Comedy Store.

Visit Neil Mullarkey's website at https://www.neilmullarkey.com
Learn more about Stop Selling, Start Solving at https://www.solve-dontsell.com