Who Is Arabella Gibbins?
Arabella Gibbins is a British actress, singer, and voice coach known for her work in theatre, voiceover, and communication training. Born on 20 November 1985 in Oxford, England, she has spent close to two decades building a career that blends performance skills with the science and craft of the human voice. While many people first hear her name because she is the sister of actress Florence Pugh, Arabella has carved out her own respected identity in the performing arts and coaching world.
Today, she is best recognised as a senior voice coach, Arabella Gibbins working with actors, executives, presenters, and everyday professionals who want to speak with more confidence and clarity. Her career shows a rare combination of stage experience and technical vocal expertise, which is exactly why she has become a trusted name for people seeking help with public speaking, accents, and vocal performance.
Early Life and Family Background
Arabella Gibbins grew up in a household that valued creativity, storytelling, and the arts. She is one of four siblings, and her family has become known collectively for their achievements in acting. Her sister Florence Pugh is an internationally recognised film actress, her brother Toby Sebastian appeared in the television series Game of Thrones, and her sister Rafaela Pugh has also worked as an actress, notably in the film Born of War.
Growing up surrounded by performance and language likely shaped Arabella’s early interest in acting and voice. Rather than living in her siblings’ shadow, she pursued her own training path, choosing to specialise in the technical and emotional aspects of voice rather than focusing purely on screen acting. This decision has allowed her to build a career that stands independently from her family’s fame.
Education and Voice Training
Arabella’s professional foundation was built through serious academic study. She trained at the Oxford School of Drama, where she developed core acting skills, before going on to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Voice Studies with Distinction at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. This institution is widely regarded as one of the most respected voice and drama schools in the United Kingdom, and training there under experienced voice practitioners gave her a strong technical grounding.
This academic background is a key part of her credibility as a coach. Voice coaching is not simply about accent or tone; it involves understanding breathing mechanics, posture, resonance, and psychological confidence. Her formal education in voice studies means her coaching methods are rooted in established practice rather than guesswork, which is an important factor for anyone considering working with her professionally.
Acting Career and Creative Work
Before becoming known primarily as a voice coach, Arabella built experience as a performer. She is credited as an actress and writer for the short film Swim to Land, a project that allowed her to demonstrate both her on-screen talent and her storytelling ability. Her theatre background also includes a notable one-woman show performed at the Vault Festival in London, which won the Origins Award for Outstanding New Work.
This award is a meaningful marker of achievement within the London theatre scene, recognising original and creative performance work. Alongside acting, Arabella has trained as a singer with a mezzo-soprano voice, giving her additional versatility in performance and further strengthening her understanding of vocal technique, breath control, and stage presence.
The Shift Toward Voice Coaching
Arabella began voice coaching around 2009, teaching actors, singers, and television presenters even before fully completing her academic studies. This early start reflects a genuine passion for helping others rather than treating coaching as a side project. Over time, her coaching practice grew alongside her performing career, eventually becoming the central focus of her professional life.
Her transition into full-time coaching was a natural progression, since performers with strong technical training often find that teaching allows them to apply their skills in a more consistent, structured, and impactful way. Working as a freelance voice coach since around 2015, she began accepting clients across London and the wider United Kingdom, covering public speaking, presentation skills, and confidence building for a wide range of professionals.
Career at London Speech Workshop and LIPA
Arabella currently works as a Senior Coach at London Speech Workshop, a respected communication coaching company known for its Serlin Method, which focuses on helping clients communicate with authenticity and confidence. Since joining in 2023, she has worked with clients remotely, supporting people across Greater London and beyond who want to improve their speech clarity, presentation ability, and overall communication confidence.
In addition to her corporate coaching work, she teaches at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, commonly known as LIPA, where she supports the next generation of actors and performers. She also continues voiceover work, having collaborated with Oxford Digital Media since 2015, bringing her acting background directly into professional audio and media production.
Coaching Philosophy and Approach
What sets Arabella apart as a coach is her personalised, human-centred approach. Rather than applying a single formula to every client, she designs individual training plans based on each person’s goals, background, and challenges. Her coaching addresses both the physical side of voice, such as breathing and posture, and the emotional side, including confidence, fear of public speaking, and performance anxiety.
Client testimonials consistently describe her as thoughtful, encouraging, and precise, noting that her guidance leads to real, measurable improvement in communication skills. Her ability to teach multiple accents, including British Received Pronunciation, American, Cockney, and Scottish, also makes her particularly valuable to actors preparing for specific roles, while her corporate clients benefit from her structured yet compassionate teaching style.
Personal Life and Public Presence
Arabella Gibbins is based in Liverpool, England, and describes herself as a voiceover artist, voice coach, and mother. She maintains an active presence on social media platforms, where she shares updates about coaching retreats, theatre appearances, and public speaking engagements. In 2023, she was invited to speak at the Cheltenham Science Festival alongside respected voice and communication experts, discussing topics such as speech, communication, and accent discrimination.
This kind of public engagement highlights her standing within the voice and communication field, beyond simply being known for her family connections. She continues to balance performance work, teaching, and personal life, reflecting the same passion for authentic communication that defines her professional coaching philosophy.
Conclusion
Arabella Gibbins has built a career defined by genuine expertise, creative talent, and a deep commitment to helping others find confidence in their own voice. From her early training in drama and voice studies to her current role as a senior coach at London Speech Workshop and educator at LIPA, her journey reflects consistent dedication rather than short-term success. While her family connection to Florence Pugh may draw initial attention, it is her own training, awards, and client results that have earned her a respected place in both the performing arts and communication coaching industries. For anyone interested in improving their voice, confidence, or public speaking skills, her background offers a rare mix of academic credibility and real creative experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Arabella Gibbins? Arabella Gibbins is a British actress, singer, and voice coach known for her theatre work, voiceover projects, and professional communication coaching, including her role as a Senior Coach at London Speech Workshop.
Is Arabella Gibbins related to Florence Pugh? Yes, Arabella Gibbins is Florence Pugh’s older sister. They share two other siblings, Toby Sebastian and Rafaela Pugh, who have also worked in acting.
What did Arabella Gibbins study? She trained at the Oxford School of Drama and later completed a Master of Fine Arts in Voice Studies with Distinction at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
What does Arabella Gibbins do now? She currently works as a Senior Coach at London Speech Workshop, teaches at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and continues voiceover and performance work.
Does Arabella Gibbins coach accents? Yes, she coaches a range of accents, including British Received Pronunciation, American, Cockney, and Scottish, which is especially useful for actors and performers.
