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Matthew Parris Biography
Matthew Parris is one of the UK’s most highly respected journalists and a charismatic and knowledgeable after dinner speaker and keynote speaker. From academia to politics, to print, TV and radio journalism, his interests are far-reaching and his analytical thinking is motivational, entertaining and educational.
Background and career
Born in Johannesburg, Matthew Parris was educated in Britain and Africa, graduating from Clare College, Cambridge before going on to study International Relations at Yale.
Two years at the Foreign Office were followed by a spell at the Conservative Research Department. After a period in Margaret Thatcher’s office, Matthew was elected MP for West Derbyshire in the 1979 General Election. He gave up his seat in 1986 for a media career when he was offered the role of presenter of LWT’s political interview programme, ‘Weekend World’. Following this, he was the parliamentary sketch writer for The Times from 1988 to 2001.
Matthew is a frequent contributor to many other publications including The Spectator and has been named ‘Columnist of the Year’ at the British Press Awards on numerous occasions. He is also a frequent television and radio broadcaster.
Aside from politics, Matthew’s other great love is travel. He has led expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, Peru and Bolivia as well as to Zaire and the Sahara. A keen runner, he has also competed several times in the London Marathon, achieving a personal best of 2 hours 32 minutes.
His first book, Inca-Kola recounts his travels in Peru. He has published several compilations of his pieces in The Times and has also edited Scorn, a book of quotations about curses, jibes and general invective. Other literary credits include Great Parliamentary Scandals, Five Centuries of Calumny, Smear and Innuendo and Off Message: New Labour, New Sketches.
Speaking Topics
Matthew Parris is an adept and charismatic after dinner speaker and keynote speaker, and is in high demand on the corporate circuit.
- TV/Radio presenter
- Adventurer/travel
- Politics
- Journalism
- International Affairs
For further information or to book Matthew Parris, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Matthew Parris News
A selection of relevant news related to Matthew Parris, After Dinner Speakers and Awards Hosts & Presenter, Political Speakers stories. For more information on Matthew Parris or details as to how to book Matthew Parris 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
Times Literary Festival Welcomes Speakers Corner’s Top Orators
4th April 2011
Oxford is the centre of the book-reading world this week as the elite literati gather for the annual Sunday Times Literary Festival, and Speakers Corner is proud to present a handful of its best who will be giving inspirational and entertaining presentations.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Jo Johnson Appointed Policy Role
29th April 2013
MP and Keynote speaker, Jo Johnson has been appointed as the head of David Cameron’s new policy unit.
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.
Rory Bremner Investigates Scottish Politics
1st April 2013
Awards host and impressionist, Rory Bremner is going to present a TV programme about the Scottish referendum.
George Alagiah Comes to the Rescue on London Underground
26th March 2013
BBC news presenter and awards host, George Alagiah, came to the rescue of a woman who collapsed on the London Underground.
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.
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones Plans To Extend Business
20th February 2013
Farmer and after dinner speaker, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, plans to sell his well known, high end meat to Jamaican supermarkets and extend his clothing range.
Roger Martin Speaking at World Economic Forum
16th January 2013
Roger Martin is due to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, along with Joseph Stiglitz and Tim Berners-Lee.
Matthew Parris Reviews
Matthew Parris has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Matthew Parris for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Matthew Parris for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Thank you very much indeed for the excellent after dinner speech at the FLA’s Annual Dinner... you went down extremely well with everyone and the evening was a roaring success
Matthew was very well prepared and was able to engage with the audience with industry specific comments when he started speaking.This ensured that the attendees listened and thereafter his fluent delievery of his main topics and themes held the audience very well.His pace ,annunciation and intonation were excellent as was his timing.
I have recently had three very pleasant experiences, for all of which you have been responsible. The first was listening to your speech, which was a tour de force. The second was standing in front of the microphone you had just vacated and taking the applause which you had so richly deserved. The third was opening a sheaf of letters over the past few days, all remarking on the excellence of your contribution.
A very personable and approachable speaker, who was willing to join in and was really unlike any other guest - no special treatment required! He gave a very entertaining and perfectly pitched speech.
For further information or to book Matthew Parris, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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