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Michael Portillo
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Michael Portillo Biography
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- Finance & Economics
- Politics
MICHAEL PORTILLO was born in North London in 1953. His father, Luis, had come to Britain as a refugee at the end of the Spanish Civil War, and his mother, Cora, was brought up in Fife. She met Luis while she was an undergraduate at Oxford.
Michael attended a grammar school, Harrow County, and went to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he gained a first class degree in History.
He left Cambridge in 1975, and for a year worked for a shipping company. He moved to the Conservative Research Department in 1976, where he spent three years. At the General Election in 1979 he was responsible for briefing Margaret Thatcher before her press conferences. For the next two years he was special adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy.
He worked for Kerr McGee Oil (UK) Ltd from 1981 - 1983. He contested the Birmingham Perry Bar seat at the 1983 Election.
In 1982 Michael and Carolyn married. They had first met when they were at school. Carolyn had become a chartered accountant and for the last fifteen years has been a ‘headhunter’ with Spencer Stuart Associates.
Politics
Michael returned to politics as a special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Nigel Lawson) and in December 1984 won the by-election in Enfield Southgate, caused by the murder of Sir Anthony Berry MP in the Brighton bombing. Michael represented the seat for thirteen years but was defeated in the 1997 Election.
He joined the Government in 1986, and remained a member until 1997. He was a whip, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Social Security, Minister of State for Transport, Minister of State for Local Government and Inner Cities; and as a Cabinet Minister was Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Employment, and Secretary of State for Defence. He was admitted to the Privy Council in 1992.
Television & Journalism
After his 1997 electoral defeat, Michael returned to Kerr McGee as an adviser. He also turned to journalism. He wrote about walking as a pilgrim on the Santiago Way, and working as a hospital porter. He had a weekly column in The Scotsman. He had a three part series for Channel 4 about politics Portillo’s Progress, and a programme in BBC2’s Great Railway Journeys series, which was partly a biography of his late father, and radio programmes on Wagner and the Spanish Civil War.
Michael was re-elected to Parliament in a by-election in Kensington and Chelsea in November 1999 and was Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer February 2000 - September 2001.
Following the Conservatives’ election defeat in 2001, Michael contested the leadership of the party. He was unsuccessful, and decided to return to the backbenches. He has made a number of television programmes for BBC2 including Art that shook the world: Richard Wagner’s Ring, Portillo in Euroland, Elizabeth I in the series Great Britons and When Michael Portillo became a single mum.
Michael is a member of the International Commission on Missing Persons in the former Yugoslavia (which organises the identification of massacre victims) under the chairmanship of Jim Kimsey.
Michael is a member of the Board of BAE Systems plc.
In 2005, Michael retired from politics to pursue a career in the media.
For further information or to book Michael Portillo, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Michael Portillo has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Michael Portillo then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Michael Portillo Books
Great British Railway JourneysPrice: £20.00
Democratic Values and the Currency (Occasional Paper)Price: £4.00
The Expansion of Elizabethan EnglandPrice: £24.99
Michael Portillo DVDs
Great Railway Journeys [ 1994 ] [ BBC ]Price: £11.43
Other Michael Portillo Products
Michael Portillo News
A selection of relevant news related to Michael Portillo and Business stories. For more information on Michael Portillo or details as to how to book Michael Portillo for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
A Third of Women Take on the Role of Breadwinner
20th July 2010As a survey announces the rise of women’s involvement in domestic financial affairs, speakers such as entrepreneur Kanya King MBE and scientist Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE are also becoming increasingly popular. However, is there more to the figures than initially meets the eye?
20th July 2010As a survey announces the rise of women’s involvement in domestic financial affairs, speakers such as entrepreneur Kanya King MBE and scientist Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE are also becoming increasingly popular. However, is there more to the figures than initially meets the eye?
Journalist, broadcaster and conference speaker, Michael Portillo presents 'Great British Railway Journeys' on BBC2
4th January 2010Journalist, broadcaster, author and conference speaker, the former MP and Minister presents a new travel series on BBC Two, starting this week called 'Great British Railway Journeys'.
4th January 2010Journalist, broadcaster, author and conference speaker, the former MP and Minister presents a new travel series on BBC Two, starting this week called 'Great British Railway Journeys'.
Norman Lamont is busier than ever on the After Dinner Speaking circuit
25th February 2009According to The Observer, the recession isn't all gloom. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont is enjoying an increasing number of bookings as an after-dinner speaker. And at Speakers Corner, we can confirm that enquiries and booking for speeches on the economy and finance have substantially risen over recent months....
25th February 2009According to The Observer, the recession isn't all gloom. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont is enjoying an increasing number of bookings as an after-dinner speaker. And at Speakers Corner, we can confirm that enquiries and booking for speeches on the economy and finance have substantially risen over recent months....
Michael Portillo Goes Wild in Spain
19th March 2006Ex-MP Michael Portillo takes us on his quest to find the rich wildlife of his father's homeland.
19th March 2006Ex-MP Michael Portillo takes us on his quest to find the rich wildlife of his father's homeland.
Trained concert pianist, Condoleezza Rice, performs for The Queen
4th December 2008Amid her many talents Condoleezza Rice is also a trained concert pianist. She originally planned a career in music and enrolled at university to study the subject, before switching to political science. The outgoing American Secretary of State fulfilled a dream by giving a recital to her majesty...
4th December 2008Amid her many talents Condoleezza Rice is also a trained concert pianist. She originally planned a career in music and enrolled at university to study the subject, before switching to political science. The outgoing American Secretary of State fulfilled a dream by giving a recital to her majesty...
George Bush is the latest recruit to the US motivational speaker circuit
26th October 2009George Bush is the United State's newest and most controversial motivational speaker. He will deliver the headline keynote speech for the Get Motivated seminar in Texas today, alongside former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Mayor of New York Rudy Guiliani and Microsoft's President, Rick Belluzzo
26th October 2009George Bush is the United State's newest and most controversial motivational speaker. He will deliver the headline keynote speech for the Get Motivated seminar in Texas today, alongside former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Mayor of New York Rudy Guiliani and Microsoft's President, Rick Belluzzo
Kenneth Clarke: The once and future Chancellor?
19th November 2008Kenneth Clarke made his name clearing up after Black Wednesday. Now Britain's elder statesman of finance is back with a plan to save the country
19th November 2008Kenneth Clarke made his name clearing up after Black Wednesday. Now Britain's elder statesman of finance is back with a plan to save the country
Obama builds up White House team
6th November 2008Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.
6th November 2008Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.
The coalition government marks its first 100 days in office
18th August 2010Today the coalition government marks its first 100 days in office. The Government says its has got to grips with the budget deficit.
18th August 2010Today the coalition government marks its first 100 days in office. The Government says its has got to grips with the budget deficit.
Mayor for Birmingham
29th October 2007Among prominent figures so far touted for an elected mayor in Birmingham are Karen Brady, the managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, and Sir Digby Jones
29th October 2007Among prominent figures so far touted for an elected mayor in Birmingham are Karen Brady, the managing director of Birmingham City Football Club, and Sir Digby Jones
Michael Portillo Reviews
Michael Portillo has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Michael Portillo for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Michael Portillo for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
"We were particularly impressed by Michael effort and energy. He mixed and worked the entire room everyone said that they had spoken to him! His speech was great and very good value for money as he went that extra yard."
"Michael Portillo was an excellent choice as keynote speaker at our Annual Conference. He was very flexible and professional, the content was superb and he delivered a brilliant and relaxed performance. The delegates even those who didnt share his political views were impressed."
"Michael did not disappoint, he was courteous and open to all he met and his ability to work the room made everyone feel included in his speech - which was pitched perfectly with the right balance of humour and insight. Thank you."
If you are interested in booking Michael Portillo for your live event or require any additional information regarding Michael Portillo then please fill in the enquiry form below and one of the Speakers Corner booking agents will contact you within 24 hours.
"Charm personified. Deeply knowledgeable, very personable, and not afraid to speak his mind."
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Client Comments
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News
2nd September 2010
Michael Douglas shared his struggle on The Late Show with David Letterman yesterday and keynote speakers including Lance Armstrong and Martina Navratilova have been open to sharing their own experiences and stories of hope.
1st September 2010
The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
