Ken Clarke Biography
Ken Clarke is an engaging and lively conference and after dinner speaker. As the former Chancellor of The Exchequer, Ken is an ideal choice to deliver an insight in to the current political and economic climate. During his time in charge of the Treasury, Ken oversaw interest rates, inflation and unemployment fall.
In the Beginning
He first entered the House of Commons in the 1970 General Election as the Conservative MP for Rushcliffe.
After a succession of appointments in and out of government, Ken Clarke was made Minister for Health in March 1982. In 1985 Ken was promoted to the Cabinet to take up the role of Paymaster General and then Minister for Employment.
Following the successful Conservative campaign in the 1987 General Election, Ken was appointed Minister for Trade and Industry. Ken started to rise up the politic ranks initially as Secretary of State for Health from 1988 to 1990 and then as Secretary of State for Education and Science until April 1992.
In 1992 Ken Clarke became the Secretary of State for the Home Office. He held this job for just over a year until May 1993 when he became Chancellor of the Exchequer. He inherited this post after the events of Black Wednesday, the resignation of Norman Lamont and the decision to leave the ERM. During his time in charge of the Treasury, Ken oversaw interest rates, inflation and unemployment fall. Much of the credit for this was given to Ken Clarke and Bank of England governor, Eddie George and as such Ken's reputation and standing was made during this period.
In May 1997, the Conservatives were defeated in the General Election by New Labour under Tony Blair. Ken successfully held his seat and returned to the House of Commons in Opposition. Ken took up various roles in the business world, including being Deputy Chairman of British American Tobacco Plc and non-executive Chairman of Alliance Unichem Plc.
Life Outside Politics
Ken Clarke has a passion for the finer things in life and has presented programmes on BBC radio about Jazz.
For further information or to book Ken Clarke, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Ken Clarke News
A selection of relevant news related to Ken Clarke, After Dinner Speakers and Keynote Speakers, Change and Turnaround Speakers, Finance & Economics and Political Speakers stories. For more information on Ken Clarke or details as to how to book Ken Clarke for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Huw Edwards presents BBC Four documentary, Disraeli & Gladstone - Clash of the Titans
3rd March 2009
Newsreader Huw Edwards examines the bitter relationship, which dominated British politics for over 40 years, between Victorian prime ministers Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone in a documentary commissioned for BBC Four called Disraeli & Gladstone - Clash of the Titans. The feature length documentary will focus on the reasons for their deep and mutual loathing.
Norman Lamont is busier than ever on the After Dinner Speaking circuit
25th February 2009
According 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....
Kenneth Clarke: The once and future Chancellor?
19th November 2008
Kenneth 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
Noreena Hertz Finishes New Book
4th April 2013
Keynote speaker and leading futurist, Noreena Hertz has finished her most recent book, which will be published in the US and the UK in September 2013.
Speakers Corner Elite Feature in Rich List
10th May 2011
Charles Dunstone, Luke Johnson, Duncan Bannatyne and Nick Robertson are amongst Speakers Corner’s elite that feature in the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List. Economic commentator Philip Beresford claims that during times of economic downturn, when most Brits are feeling the pain of spending cuts, there are a group of high rollers marching onwards and upwards.
David Cameron and Bill Gates Pledge To Eradicate Polio as Davos Draws To A Close
31st January 2011
In a statement jointly issued by David Cameron and Bill Gates, Britain has promised to double its funding to fight the crippling disease polio.
Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected at the CBI Conference today including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Dominique Strauss-Kahn & Stuart Rose to n
23rd November 2009
Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
Global Leaders Prepare for Washington Summit
13th November 2008
The Group-of-20 leaders, representing the world's major industrialized nations and large developing countries, will meet in Washington this weekend to discuss measures to restore global financial stability.
George Osborne Announces Plans for Budget 2013
21st March 2013
The budget 2013 was unveiled in the House of Commons among a crowd of rowdy members of Parliament, where the Chancellor stated that, "we are, slowly but surely, fixing our country's economic problems".
Anatole Kaletsky Joins Reuters
1st March 2013
Award winning journalist, economist and keynote speaker, Anatole Kaletsky, has joined Reuters after 22 years writing for The Times.
For further information or to book Ken Clarke, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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