Find In:
Ken Livingstone is a great after dinner and conference speaker on business and politics. He was born in Lambeth in 1945 and was educated at Tulse Hill Comprehensive School.
Ken has twice held the chief executive office in London local government. Firstly, as leader of the Greater London Council from 1981 until the council was abolished in 1986 by the government of Margaret Thatcher. Secondly, as the first Mayor of London, a post he held from its creation in 2000 until 2008. He also served as Labour Party Member of Parliament for Brent East between 1987 and 2001.
He was initially elected to the post of London Mayor as an Independent candidate after the Labour Party chose not to nominate him as their candidate in the first mayoral elections. In January 2004, he was re-admitted to the Labour Party. He stood as the official Labour Party candidate for Mayor in the June 2004 elections, which he won with a total of 828,380 first and second-preference votes. On May 1, 2008 Ken was defeated in his second re-election bid by Conservative candidate Boris Johnson, and his term as Mayor of London ended on 4 May 2008.
One of Ken’s greatest challenges as Mayor of London was dealing with the city's ageing transportation infrastructure. Ken introduced many schemes including bendy buses, oyster cards and the congestion charge.
Ken also made a significant effort to reduce London’s impact on the environment and he set up Britain's first register for same-sex couples. While falling short of legal marriage rights, the register was seen as a "step towards" such rights. Legal status was later passed by the government through the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
In the aftermath of the 2005 London bombings, Ken initiated a campaign to celebrate London's multiculturalism. In 2001 Ken revived the free anti-racism Music festival now which he believes, along with other anti-racist policies, is why London saw a 35% decrease in racist attacks.
All this led to Ken being named 'Politician of the Year' by the Political Studies Association.
Following his post as Mayor, Ken took a slot on London's Biggest Conversation as a radio presenter. He also writes a weekly blog and is a regular contributor for The Guardian. He is a proficient corporate speaker and was a Chair and debate contributor at the Progressive London Conference in 2010.
Ken Livingstone Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Ken Livingstone. For more information on Ken Livingstone please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Ken Livingstone has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Ken Livingstone then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk



A selection of relevant news related to Ken Livingstone and Business stories. For more information on Ken Livingstone or details as to how to book Ken Livingstone 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
Ken Livingstone has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Ken Livingstone for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Ken Livingstone 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
"Even though Ken was full of cold, he did not let us down and was a pleasure throughout the entire evening. So much so that I had to stop him talking so that we could have the entertainment."
Speakers Corner interviewed Ken Livingstone to give you a bit more insight as to the type of performance and delivery you would expect from Ken Livingstone However for more information on Ken Livingstone or details as to how to book Ken Livingstone 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
Ken Livingstone: I used to do it for free as leader of the GLC and then realised all the other buggers were being paid
Ken Livingstone: Age 11 opposing the illegal British invasion of Egypt
Ken Livingstone: The Chartered Institute of Housing in Brighton last Friday
Ken Livingstone: Australian property companies meeting in the in the Barrier Reef so I could swimming daily with the sea turtles
Ken Livingstone: At Castro’s victorious march into Havana 50 years ago
Ken Livingstone: Winona Ryder
Ken Livingstone: 30 plus probably
Ken Livingstone: It’s against my religion
Ken Livingstone: Yes as long as I can hear the sound of my own voice
Ken Livingstone: “The once and future mayor”
Ken Livingstone: Not really, I speak off the cuff and don’t really need briefings
Ken Livingstone: Climate change, transport, running a world class city
Ken Livingstone: The Q&A session is always the best bit
Ken Livingstone: The time I got halfway through a speech about GLC abolition before I realised the audience had asked me to speak about the trade union link with Labour
Ken Livingstone: The Godfather II
Ken Livingstone: 1984
Ken Livingstone: Greek Islands
Ken Livingstone: Rioja
Ken Livingstone: Townie
If you are interested in booking Ken Livingstone for your live event or require any additional information regarding Ken Livingstone then please fill in the enquiry form below and one of the Speakers Corner booking agents will contact you within 24 hours.
One of the most astute and determined businessmen of recent years, Tim is the founder of Waterstone's bookstores and former Chairman of HMV Media Group
Marc Koska is a highly motivational, entrepreneurial & enthusiastic speaker, who has fought ignorance, bureaucracy to create a highly successful & dynamic company.
John Prescott is one of the most famous political faces from the Tony Blair Government. An ideal speaker on the environment, sustainability, leadership & politics
Call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Rock star and humanitarian, Sir Bob Geldof is a legend in his lifetime and one of the most sought after speakers in the world today
Barclays Bank Plc