The Speech Centre

What The Speech Centre does

The Speech Centre is a UK-based specialist reseller, integrator, and training provider of speech recognition, dictation workflow, and assistive technology solutions, operating from Crowborough, East Sussex since 1998. The company distributes and supports a portfolio built primarily on Nuance Dragon (Professional V16, Dragon Medical One, Dragon Legal Anywhere, Dragon Professional Anywhere) and Philips Speech Processing platforms (SpeechLive cloud workflow, SpeechExec Pro/Enterprise on-premise software, SpeechMike/SpeechOne/DPM-8000 hardware), alongside assistive technology products such as JAWS, ZoomText, SuperNova, ClaroRead, TextHelp Read & Write, ergonomic peripherals, and smart pens. It holds the exclusive UK Master Digital Enterprise Partner designation from Philips and Certified Premiere Solutions Partner status with Nuance, which it leverages to deliver consultancy, application customisation, training, and ongoing SpeechCover support contracts to UK customers.

The company serves five primary vertical segments — Healthcare (GP practices, hospitals, CCGs, nursing agencies), Legal (solicitors, barristers, judiciary), Public Sector (local authorities, central and devolved government departments, police, probation), Commercial businesses, and Disability/individual consumers (dyslexia, visual impairment, MSD/ergonomic needs). Revenue is generated across five streams: hardware/equipment sales, software licences and subscriptions (including Software Maintenance Assurance), SpeechCover annual support contracts, training services (workshops, 1-to-1, online, bespoke), and consultancy/implementation services. All pricing is quote-based with no public price list; customers contact the company via phone (01892 661116) or email ([email protected]). Go-to-market combines direct phone/email sales with an e-commerce catalogue on speechcentre.co.uk, supported by channel leverage through Philips and Nuance vendor partnerships. The business is privately held with 1–10 employees, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and operates exclusively within the United Kingdom.

Name

The Speech Centre

Legal name

The Speech Centre

Website

https://speechcentre.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Speech Centre is a UK-based specialist reseller and integrator of Nuance Dragon and Philips speech recognition, dictation, and assistive technology solutions, serving healthcare, legal, public sector, commercial, and disability customers from Crowborough, East Sussex with consultancy, training, and ongoing support contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Speech Recognition and Dictation Solutions

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro primary industry

Speech Recognition, Dictation & Medical Transcription Platforms (HLACAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC), Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH)

Keywords

• Speech recognition software
• Dictation solutions and equipment
• Assistive technology solutions
• Voice-to-text transcription
• Accessibility and ergonomic equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Crowborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware and Equipment Sales: Sale of physical products including dictation equipment, ergonomic keyboards, mice, headsets, footrests, monitor risers, microphones, and smart pens. Products sold through e-commerce catalog with quote-based pricing.
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Sales of speech recognition software (Dragon Professional, Dragon Medical One), dictation workflow software (Philips SpeechExec, SpeechLive), assistive technology software (JAWS, ZoomText, ClaroRead), and productivity software. Includes Software Maintenance Assurance (SMA) subscriptions.
3. Support Contracts (SpeechCover): Annual support contract providing unlimited technical enquiries, remote support by phone/email/remote connection, and priority response. Fixed annual rate. Also offers pay-as-you-go support at hourly rates.
4. Training Services: Professional training courses including Dragon training, Philips training, software training, and bespoke training programs. Training offered as workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online training.
5. Consultancy and Implementation: Turnkey implementation programmes, integration programmes, and consultancy services including requirement analysis, ergonomic assessments, troubleshooting, and customization of solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Speech Centre resells and integrates speech recognition software (Dragon Professional, Dragon Medical One, Dragon Legal Anywhere), Philips dictation workflow solutions and hardware (SpeechLive, SpeechExec, SpeechMike, SpeechOne), and assistive technology products (JAWS, ZoomText, ClaroRead, TextHelp). It wraps these products with consultancy, application customisation, training, and ongoing SpeechCover support contracts. Customers include healthcare providers, legal firms, public sector agencies, commercial businesses, and individuals with disabilities.

Product overview

The Speech Centre provides an integrated portfolio of speech recognition, dictation, and assistive technology solutions. Core speech recognition products include Dragon Professional V16, Dragon Professional Anywhere, Dragon Legal Anywhere (for legal professionals), and Dragon Medical One (for healthcare). The dictation portfolio centres on Philips SpeechLive cloud workflow and Philips SpeechExec Pro/Enterprise software, complemented by Philips hardware including SpeechMike Premium dictation microphones, SpeechOne wireless headsets, and Digital Pocket Memo recorders. Assistive technology includes visual impairment solutions (JAWS Pro, SuperNova, ZoomText), literacy software (ClaroRead, TextHelp Read&Write), smart pens (C-Pen, LIVESCRIBE), and ergonomic equipment (vertical mice, ergonomic keyboards). Services span consultancy, application/integration, training, and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dragon Professional V16 Professional speech recognition software enabling dictation up to 3x faster than typing with up to 99% accuracy, optimised for Windows 11/Office 2021 for individuals and groups across business sectors.
• Dragon Professional Anywhere Hosted cloud speech recognition service enabling remote work with up to 99% accuracy, automatic accent adjustment, and no speech profile training required. Licensed per author.
• Dragon Legal Anywhere Enterprise speech recognition solution for legal professionals with comprehensive legal vocabulary, customizable sector-specific terms, phrases, and formatting rules.
• Dragon Medical One Secure, cloud-based AI-powered speech recognition solution for clinicians to document patient information using voice with 99% accuracy.
• Philips SpeechLive Cloud dictation workflow solution enabling recording, upload, playback and download of dictation files, including a browser-based web recorder.
• Philips SpeechExec Pro Dictation and transcription software connecting authors and transcriptionists with flexible workflow settings, direct dictation recording, encryption, and backup functions.
• Philips SpeechExec Enterprise On-premise dictation and transcription solution for medium to large businesses supporting client and server-side speech recognition with an integrated smartphone app for mobility.
• Philips SpeechMike Premium Air Wireless dictation microphone with patented lossless speech technology and studio-quality microphone with integrated noise reduction filter.
• Philips PSM6300 SpeechOne Headset Wireless headset with studio-quality microphone, triple-layer noise reduction filter, lossless audio transmission, and inductive docking for wireless charging. Supports Skype calls.
• Philips DPM-8000 Digital Pocket Memo Digital voice recorder with 3D Mic technology, 256-bit encryption, motion sensor, SpeechExec Pro software, docking station, and up to 700 hours recording time.
• Philips LFH3500 SpeechMike Premium Desktop dictation microphone with free-floating studio-quality precision microphone, built-in noise-reduction pop filter, and antimicrobial surface for clinical environments.
• Philips LFH3200 SpeechMike III Pro Ergonomic desktop dictation microphone with noise-cancelling microphone, preconfigured buttons for Dragon Professional voice recognition, and an integrated sound card.
• ZoomText Magnifier/Reader Screen magnification and reading software for low-vision users with xFont technology, automatic document reading, and keyboard echo.
• ZoomText Fusion Professional Combined screen magnification (up to 60x) and JAWS screen reading functionality for individuals with vision impairment.
• SuperNova Magnifier & Screen Reader 23 Accessibility software delivering screen magnification, speech, and screen reading technology for people who are blind or partially sighted.
• JAWS Pro Job Access With Speech screen reader providing speech and Braille output for computer users with vision loss to navigate applications, internet, and create documents.
• TextHelp Read & Write Literacy software supporting reading and writing skills with a toolbar running alongside applications; supports neurodivergent employees and multilingual teams through the Access to Work scheme.
• ClaroRead Reading, writing, and study tools for neurodiverse people providing text-to-speech, speech-to-text, document conversion, and proofreading features.
• C-Pen Reader 2 Portable digital highlighter that scans text and reads aloud with natural speaking voices while providing definitions; includes voice recorder and 3GB storage.
• LIVESCRIBE ECHO II Smartpen capturing audio recordings linked to handwritten notes; allows replay by tapping on notes, with transcription to text in 27+ languages.
• SpeechWare TableMike 6-in-1 USB desktop microphone with noise-canceling capabilities, wide-spectrum audio recording, and Nuance's highest 5/5 Dragon Speech Recognition accuracy rating.
• Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 Vertical ergonomic mouse supporting hand in upright neutral posture to minimise forearm twisting, with programmable buttons and adjustable pointer speed.
• Goldtouch Ergonomic Adjustable Keyboard Split ergonomic keyboard adjustable from 0 to 30 degrees horizontally and vertically for custom-fit positioning to prevent wrist strain.
• Consultancy Services Expert consultancy for speech recognition implementation, ergonomic assessments, requirement analysis, and troubleshooting services ranging from informal consultations to detailed reports.
• Application Services Turnkey implementation and integration programmes customising products with hands-free use, seamless application integration, macro and template development, and bespoke integrations such as EMIS, SystmOne, and WinPath.
• Training Services Premium training for Dragon, Philips, and general software products including 1-to-1, online, bespoke software, and coping strategy training workshops.
• Support Services (SpeechCover) Comprehensive computer hardware and software support including SpeechCover annual remote support contracts with unlimited technical enquiries, remote support by phone/email/remote connection, priority response, and Software Maintenance Assurance subscriptions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Documents created up to 3 times faster than typing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Philips Speech Processing SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Speech Centre is UK Master Digital Enterprise Partner of Philips Speech Processing Solutions - the first and only MDCD Enterprise Partner for Philips in the UK. They sell Philips dictation equipment, SpeechExec software, and SpeechLive cloud solutions. This partnership provides access to world-leading speech and dictation technology.
• Nuance Communications (Dragon)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Speech Centre is a Nuance Dragon Healthcare Partner and Certified Premiere Solutions Partner. They implement Dragon Professional, Dragon Medical One, and Dragon Legal Anywhere speech recognition solutions. This partnership enables delivery of certified Nuance solutions to healthcare, legal, and business customers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Nuance Communications (Microsoft): Developer of Dragon Professional, Dragon Medical One, and Dragon Legal Anywhere — the core software products The Speech Centre resells and implements. Microsoft acquired Nuance in 2022, making it both partner and competitive incumbent.
• 3M M*Modal (Solventum): Speech recognition and clinical documentation platform for healthcare; competes with Dragon Medical One and offers an alternative to The Speech Centre's healthcare stack.
• Philips Speech Processing Solutions: Original equipment manufacturer and software provider behind SpeechExec and SpeechLive; The Speech Centre is its UK Master Digital Enterprise Partner, so it represents both an upstream vendor and the broader category incumbent.
• Freedom Scientific (Vispero): Vendor of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion screen readers/magnifiers that The Speech Centre distributes — represents the upstream vendor and broader incumbent in the visual-impairment assistive technology category.

Direct peers

• Lexacom: UK provider of digital dictation and speech recognition workflow solutions for healthcare and legal sectors, directly overlapping with The Speech Centre's core verticals.
• Crescendo Dictation: Specialist speech recognition and dictation reseller providing Nuance Dragon and Philips solutions to professional customers — comparable value-added reseller in the same product ecosystem.
• Voicepoint UK: UK-based Dragon speech recognition reseller and consultancy serving legal, healthcare, and professional services — a directly comparable specialist reseller competing for the same customer base.
• BigHand: Provider of digital dictation, speech recognition, and workflow software for legal, healthcare, and government — the same verticals The Speech Centre serves, with overlapping product positioning for legal documentation.
• SpeechWrite: UK digital dictation and document production services provider serving legal, NHS, and commercial customers — a head-to-head competitor for outsourced and on-premise dictation workflows.

Emerging players

• Claro Software (Texthelp): Developer of literacy and accessibility software including Read&Write and ClaroRead, which The Speech Centre resells; overlapping assistive technology customer base in education and disability.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SpeechCtr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/speech-centre

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Speech Centre