WILLIAM HAGUE
William Hague was Leader of the Opposition from 1997-2001. He is perhaps
best known for his skill in parliamentary debate, particularly in some
200 exchanges and debates with Tony Blair.
Hague was born and brought up in Yorkshire, where he continues to serve
as Member of Parliament for Richmond. After attending a local
comprehensive (and creating a sensation as a schoolboy speaker at the
Conservative Party Conference), he took a first class degree at Oxford
and then gained a distinction in his MBA at INSEAD.
William spent five years as a consultant at McKinsey & Co before
entering the House of Commons, where he was soon appointed Minister for
Pensions and then Secretary of State for Wales in the Major Government.
He was voted Politician of the Year by Channel 4 viewers, and
Parliamentarian of the Year by the Spectator - an accolade he shares
with his occasional TV sparring partner Tony Benn. William remains
active in politics and is a senior figure in the International Democrat
Union, the global network of Centre-Right parties.
As well as his wonderfully entertaining after dinner speech, William
offers keynote presentations based around two principal themes: 'Lessons
of Leadership' and 'What is Happening in the World'.
Having served in the Cabinet and led a political party he has found out
the hard way what makes people work together, or fail to do so, and how
to cope with significant setbacks. He delves into the strengths and
weaknesses of different styles of leadership, and provides a poignant
and much-needed insight into both Tony Blair and George W Bush - with
whom he has a long-standing relationship.
William also uses his rare blend of corporate and political experience
to picture the future as it will affect both business and society. He
describes the huge impact of demographic change and the importance of
patterns in military spending alongside wider economic trends. Where
will power lie in the decade ahead?
On a much lighter note, William is a seasoned raconteur used to sharing
the stage with the likes of Rory Bremner and Dame Edna. With a great
deal of natural Yorkshire wit, he takes the rise out of senior
politicians (of all parties) - and tells of the dangers when drink,
politicians and temptation come together.
William is now using his business skills once again, as an advisor to
the JCB Group and Terra Firma Capital Partners. His landmark biography
of William Pitt the Younger, won History Book of the Year at the British
Book Awards in 2005. William practises judo regularly, plays the piano
and whenever possible indulges in his passion for cross-country skiing.