TONY BALL MBE
The Times has referred to Tony Ball as "one of the best after dinner speakers in Britain". He started his career as an apprentice on the shopfloor of the Austin Motor Co. and rose to become World Sales Chief of BL, Rover and Jaguar Cars.
Tony is acknowledged internationally as one of Britain’s top marketeers and most popular public speakers. A brilliant motivator, humorist and raconteur, Tony started his career as an apprentice on the shop floor of the Austin Motor Company and rose to become its youngest ever Sales Director. He’s the man who actually launched the legendary MINI in the swinging 60’s.
Tony's highly successful career includes the practical experience as Chief Executive, covering the entire spectrum of industry and commerce, including work for Ford, Mercedes Benz and General Motors and Board Appointments for major Insurance, Advertising, Retailing and Production companies world wide.
"Thank you for your sterling contribution to the Show by sharing your experience and professionalism"
Thames Television
As Chairman and Managing Director of British Leyland Europe and Overseas, as well as World Sales Chief of BL, Rover and Jaguar Cars, Tony was involved in resolving the massive industrial relations problems and the restructuring of the motor industry in a cauldron of change.
He has masterminded the launch of a host of new models for leading car manufacturers, an achievement for which he was awarded the Fellowship of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the City and Guilds of London.
"Tony gave the greatest, most entertaining speech I have ever heard"
Victor Kiam - Remington Products
Tony’s vast experience includes his appointment as Marketing Advisor to three Secretaries of State, including appropriately the Secretary of State for Energy.
Speaker. Broadcaster. Motivator
In addition to Tony’s active business life and his enormous popularity as an After Dinner and Conference speaker, his numerous broadcasts include frequent guest appearances on radio and TV celebrity chat shows, documentaries and as a panelist on BBC's Any Questions.
Noted for his irrepressible humour as well as his profound practical experience of marketing and management at the highest levels, Tony’s speeches are always forward thinking and tailor-made individually to suit each different occasion. He always leaves his audience highly entertained as well as enlightened and motivated.
As an acknowledged master of producing major international events, Tony's accomplishments include devising and staging the hugely successful Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Rugby World Cup at the new Millenium stadium Cardiff, as well as the Cricket World Cup and the brilliant European Cup Ceremonies at Wembley Stadium for the Football Association.
Tony also staged the British International Motor Show for the SMMT; the Scottish Motor Show; the Centenary celebrations for the world’s Motor Industry in Britain; the Lloyds Bank Playwright of the Year Awards; the ceremonies for numerous FA Cup Finals, the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of the RFU, the Five Nations Championships and major internationals at Twickenham, as well as the Ceremony for the Opening Game at the new Stade de France in Paris for the
FFR.
"Hard hitting, hilarious and hugely enjoyable - an outstanding key note speech"
Hewlett Packard
Tony is a Freeman of the City of London, a Lords Taverner and was awarded the Prince Philip Medal for his remarkable lifestyle achievements, as well as being honoured with the MBE from Her Majesty The Queen for his outstanding services to industry.
And as an aside...
Even after such a distinguished career, friends say that Tony’s real claim to fame is that he is the father of Britain's internationally famous musical and recording star Michael Ball.
"Tony Ball... one of Britain's most entertaining after dinner speakers'"
The Sunday Telegraph
"Tony Ball... A refined Max Miller with a hint of MacMillan"
Daily Mail
"Britain's economic performance would be transformed if only we had one hundred Tony Balls. His enthusiasm is infectious, his energy exhausting and his enterprise exciting"
The Rt Hon Lord Walker MBE PC
"A most magnificent speech... beautifully balanced with humour and business advice"
British Chambers of Commerce
"Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations on your outstanding performance. We are deeply indebted to you"
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
"Tony Ball was on top form at our annual dinner... Uplifting, inspiring and splendidly entertaining"
CBI
"Tony's sparkling contribution made our international conference a huge success."
IBM
"Absolutely brilliant... Thank you so much for making the evening such a memorable one."
Procter & Gamble
Ball, Anthony George, (Tony), MBE 1986; FCIM; FIMI; Chairman, Tony Ball Associates plc, since 1983; b 14 Nov. 1934; s of Harry Ball and Mary Irene Ball, Bridgwater; m 1957, Ruth Parry Davies (marr. diss. 1997); two s one d; m 2000, Ms Jan Kennedy. Educ: Grammar Sch., Bridgwater. Indentured engineering apprentice, Austin Motor Co., 1951-55; responsible for launch of Mini, 1959; UK Car Sales Manager, Austin Motor Co., 1962-66; Sales and Marketing Exec., British Motor Corp., 1966-67; Chm. And Man. Dir. Barlow Rand UK Motor Gp, 1967-78; Managing Director: Barlow Rand Ford, S Africa, 1971-3; Barlow Rand European Operations, 1973-1978; returned to British Leyland as Man. Dir. Overseas Trading Operations, 1978; Dep. Man. Dir, Austin Morris Ltd, 1979; Chm. and Man. Dir. British Leyland Europe & Overseas, 1979-82; Director, BL Cars Ltd (World Sales Chief, 1979-82; responsible for launch of the Austin Metro in 1980); Austin Morris Ltd; Rover Triumph Ltd; Jaguar Rover Triumph Inc. (USA); Dir. Jaguar Cars Ltd. 1979-81; Chief Exec. Henlys plc, 1981-83; Dep. Chm., Lumley Insce Gp, 1983-95; Director: Jetmaster UK, 1989-97; Theatre Agents Billy Marsh Associates, 1993-; Royal Carlton Hotel, Blackpool, 1998-; Dir., producer and stager of 'Industrial Theatre', Motivational confs, sponsorship, marketing, promotions and new product launches, 1983-. Responsible for: staging new product launches for General Motors, Vauxhall, Proton, Mercedes-Benz, Daihatsu, LDV, Pioneer-UK and Fiat; production and staging of Opening Ceremony of Rugby World Cup, Twickenham, 1991; DoH European drug abuse prevention campaign, 1992; Apptd Marketing Adviser: to Sec. of State for Energy, 1984-87; to Sec. of State for Wales, 1987-91; to SMMT for producing and promoting: British Internat. Motor Show, 1992-96; Scottish Motor Show, 1997 & 1999; to FA for producing Opening and Closing Ceremonies of European Football Championships, Wembley, 1996 and FA Cup Finals, 1996-2000; to RFU for 125th Anniversary celebrations, 1996; for 5 Nations Championship activities, Twickenham, 1997-; to Welsh RU for producing Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Rugby World Cup, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park, 1999; to ECB for producing Opening Ceremony, Cricket World Cup, Lord's, 1999; responsible for: promoting re-launch of London Zoo, 1993; creating and producing Lloyds Bank's Playwright of the Year Awards, annually 1994-. Lectr, public and after dinner speaker; TV and radio broadcasts on motoring, marketing and industrial subjects; producer, The Birth of Rugby (TV); panellist, BBC Any Questions, Mason Meml Lecture, Birmingham Univ., 1983. Governor, N Worcs Coll., 1984-91. Freeman of City of London, 1980; Liveryman: Worshipful Co. of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers, 1980; Worshipful Co. of Carmen, 1982. Fellowship of Inst. of Marketing awarded 1981, for services to Brit. Motor Industry; Hon. Mem. CGLI, awarded 1982, for services to technical and vocational educn; Prince Philip Medal, CGLI, awarded 1984, for outstanding contribution to marketing; FCGI 1999; Benedictine Business After-Dinner Speaker of the Year Award, 1992-93. Publications: (contrib.) Metro: the Book of the Car, 1981; (contrib.) Tales out of School, 1983; A Marketing Study of the Welsh Craft Industry (Welsh Office report, 1988); (contrib.) Making Better Business Presentations, 1988; (contrib.)Men and Motors of "The Austin," 2000; contribs to numerous industrial, management and marketing books and jls. Recreations: theatre, British military history, sharing good humour.