ALAN WRIGHT -BBC PRESENTER AND AFTER-DINNER SPEAKER
For nearly 30 years, Alan Wright has been one of the most well-known voices on BBC Radio and, more recently, a familiar face too on BBC TV. Highlights of Alan's career include three industry awards in 2001 and 2002.
He also had the privilege of acting as royal commentator for BBC TV when Her Majesty the Queen opened the Millennium Bridge in 2002 and the big talking point of 2003 was a personal invitation from Tony Blair for Alan to speak at an event celebrating his 20 years as an MP.
Today, Alan heads his own company specialising in publicity consultancy, strategic advice, and training in presentation and media skills. His travel writing and broadcasting keeps him particularly busy, and he has enjoyed combining his speaking trips with travel journalism in many parts of the world.He has also played a key role in publicity and media consultancy for many leading companies and high profile individuals. For many years, Alan has been a popular columnist and travel writer in the regional and national press.
In 1998, two of the major events on the calendar in Northern England were the European Presidency Meeting of Ministers, and the launch of the new Rolls Royce.
The link between them was Alan Wright, who was the anchor man for the first, and the after-dinner speaker at the glittering dinner for the second.
From 1993 to 1995, Alan took a short "sabbatical" from the BBC when he was asked to become Chief Executive at Durham County Cricket Club and had a fascinating two years during which the superb new Riverside Ground was developed. During his spell at the helm, membership became the biggest in England outside a Test Match Ground, and business support broke all records, with the £500,000 sponsorship deal with Newcastle Breweries drawing a gasp throughout the cricket world. Under the headline "Captain's Innings", an editorial in the Newcastle Journal said: "The enormous success of the county has been due to his astute enthusiasm."
Many people throughout the UK, and beyond, know Alan Wright best as a top class after-dinner speaker. Recent London engagements have included the Cafe Royal, the Park Lane Hilton, the Dorchester and the Institute of Directors, while international appearances have included the USA, Dubai, and even France (for Martell Cognac).
He has regularly chaired major conferences and awards ceremonies, and has recently hosted events featuring some of the biggest names of British politics, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, and senior Government Ministers Peter Mandelson, Mo Mowlam, and Jack Cunningham.
Alan has also hosted many tours and "talk-ins" with big sporting names including Ian Botham, Kevin Keegan, Graham Gooch, Jack Charlton and Dean Richards.
Alan's experience and versatility is in constant demand, whether as a stimulating speaker at business conferences, or a very funny entertainer on lighter occasions. He has received the highest praise from a legion of leading personalities, and commendations have included the following:
'......... a superb performance. Alan Wright held over 500 people in the palm of his hand for nearly an hour. The banqueting suite was rocking with laughter, and he thoroughly deserved his long standing ovation." - Institute of Shipbrokers.
".... everyone thoroughly enjoyed your speech, and the good feedback I've been receiving has been tremendous. "- BRITISH AIRWAYS
"...you were wonderful - what more can I say " KPMG
". . . . . your outstanding and most entertaining after-dinner speech made the evening a tremendous success. "- NISSAN CB
" . . thank you for the tremendous speech you gave at the Institute of Directors last week- it's the way you tell 'em!"- NATIONAL TYRES & AUTOCARE
".. may I say how much we enjoyed your most excellent address to us at our Annual Dinner at the Park Lane Hilton. Everyone who attended had some compliment to make ...my only problem is that I dread who I`m going to ask next year!"- ASSOCIATION OF COST ENGINEERS
"... thank you for your outstanding contribution to our MBA Dinner. . all those in attendance have paid tribute in glowing terms to your speech. " UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
". . . thank you for entertaining us so well at York. I have received numerous compliments from all who attended. . . it was a pleasure to watch such an astute performance. "- TEES HEALTH AUTHORITY
". . . . thank you for the excellent entertainment. . . . . . everyone commented on your superb performance. "AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION CAR AWARDS
"... brilliant ... when can you come back?"- DUBAI COUNTRY CLUB
" ... superb ... Alan's a different class"- PETER BEARDSLEY