After Dinner Speakers – Page 9

Martina Navratilova

When she defected from Czechoslovakia to the US, Martina was set on becoming the top female tennis player in the world. She achieved more tournament titles than any man or woman in history, enjoyed a 74-match winning streak and claimed a final Grand Slam at the age of 49. She’s now a powerful voice for diversity. In speeches Martina explains that true competitors aren’t put off by boundaries: “Most of their pressures are self-imposed.”

Fraser Nelson

During his decade and a half in charge of The Spectator, Fraser established the magazine as a forthright, leading voice in right-leaning politics in an age of digitalisation, division and disruption (as well as making the title a commercial success in a struggling market). Fraser has also become a commentator respected on all sides for his clarity, and has established himself as a progressive, thoughtful voice on the right of British politics.

Sue Nelson

The science, technology and engineering journalist and broadcaster once applied to be an astronaut and investigated the banks’ security. She has looked at subjects from the unsung women pioneers of the space race to the NHS's IT programme.

Tom Newton Dunn

A former Political Editor of The Sun, Tom also hosted the show First Edition on TalkTV. He examines the personalities behind the headlines and considers likely events that will shape British politics, and the media and public responses to them.

Bonita Norris

The youngest person to reach both the summit of Everest and the North Pole, Bonita shares her lessons from taking on some of the toughest challenges. From never giving up to how to set and achieve your goals, her engaging presentations inspire audiences as well as equipping them to take on their own gruelling tests.

Mark Ormrod

On Christmas Eve 2007 Mark was on a routine patrol when he stepped on an Afghan mine, becoming the conflict’s first triple amputee. At the brink of despair after being told he’d never walk again, his ‘Marine’s ego’ kicked in and he conquered his new bionic legs. He’s since taken on incredible challenges, including competing in four sports (and winning four medals) at the Invictus Games. In an extraordinarily uplifting speech, Mark proudly explains: “Choose who you listen to, as some won’t believe you can achieve what you want.”

Paddy O’Connell

The Broadcasting House presenter entertains two million listeners every Sunday with an upbeat take on the news. A former Wall Street reporter (he once played Xbox against Bill Gates), he is also familiar to viewers of BBC World, Newsnight and BBC News.

Chris Packham

Known for fronting The Really Wild Show and Springwatch, Wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham is a dedicated environmental campaigner. He educates and inspires audiences on the natural world and shares stories of travels across the globe.

Ben Page

Ben leads one of the UK’s principal market research organisations. As well as numerous corporate briefs he has polled for major political parties, government departments and local authorities. He also serves on the advisory board of the Social Market Foundation and The King’s Fund. After the referendum Ben tells us exactly what we’re thinking about anything from spending cuts to whether or not we want Britain to have another vote on EU membership.

Ray Parlour

Ray earned League, FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ medals. He still plays for Arsenal Legends, as well as running a pub in Essex and co-hosting on talkSPORT. After dinner Ray talks affectionately about Wenger (dubbed Inspector Clouseau after getting caught up in a goal net). Arsene now lets him drink what he likes.

Stuart Pearce

Stuart moved up the ranks from non-league football to playing for England and managing both U21 and Team GB squads, and Manchester City. He is used to working under pressure: famously missing a penalty at Italia 90, scoring at Euro 96 – and deciding not to pick an out-of-form Beckham at London 2012. Stuart talks from hard-earned experience about beating his doubts, taking big risks, making tough decisions and “delivering your best to your employers.”

Sue Perkins

One of the nation's most popular presenters, Sue has moved from writing French & Saunders sketches to conducting orchestras, getting the nation baking, and exploring the Mekong River. Her quick fire, self-depreciating comedy has made Sue a household name and a firm favourite on British television for over twenty years.

Sir Grayson Perry

The Turner Prize winner, Reith Lecturer and author of Playing To The Gallery is known for his colourful wardrobe as well as his ceramics. Grayson describes the journey from confused student to entrepreneur and establishment figure, arguing that you should stick with your niche until the market catches up.

Francois Pienaar

Francois Pienaar’s defining moment came as he led the Springboks to World Cup glory, instilling immense national pride. The story was later told in the Hollywood movie Invictus, with Matt Damon portraying his role in attempting to unite the post- apartheid nation through sport. In presentations the ex-Saracens player and coach talks about his enormous respect for Nelson Mandela, and how unwavering belief can often make the difference between success and failure.

Sir Matthew Pinsent

The four-time Olympic champion oarsman has now become a polished presenter. After dinner Matt lets guests get their hands on his medals. With ready wit he recalls the punishing training regime, their need to adapt to circumstances and the sheer exhilaration of beating world class crews.

Katie Piper

Katie was enjoying a flourishing career as a model and TV presenter when a vicious attack left her hospitalised and with severe facial injuries. Thinking her life was all but over, she began a two-year rehabilitation period – having to put on a pressurised mask for 23 hours every day. After more than 70 operations and countless therapies, she still faces challenges but has rebuilt her life. Katie talks about resilience, finding untapped reserves of inner strength, and knowing when you can do something and when you need support.

Eve Pollard

Eve enjoyed a ringside seat as a First Lady of Fleet Street – mixing with heroes, villains, Presidents and Prime Ministers. She also fronted TV coverage of the latest royal birth. Eve recalls how one interview with Mrs Thatcher went on for 28 minutes without her being able to ask a single question.

Mark Pollock

Mark has rowed for his country, run across the Gobi desert and trekked to the South Pole. Even more impressively he undertook these achievements after losing his sight. Less than a year after returning from the Pole, a fall left Mark paralysed and facing months of gruelling rehabilitation. With a personal mission to cure paralysis, Mark discusses resilience, adversity and the intersection between technology and humans for the future of medicine.

Rt Hon Michael Portillo

Michael controlled public spending as Chief Treasury Secretary, then led both Employment and Defence. He’s now an accomplished broadcaster. As well as cosying up to the opposition on the late night TV sofa, Michael has travelled America’s railroads. The ex-Conservative Cabinet Minister also weighs in on the debate in radio’s Moral Maze. After dinner Michael confesses that he often has problems with today’s politicians.

Rt Hon Lord (Mark) Price

After 30 years at John Lewis, including ten as MD of Waitrose and three as Deputy Chairman of the group, Mark left business for government serving as a trade minister. He then compiled his experiences in his book Fairness for All, in which he makes the business and social case for companies to put their employees at the heart of what they do. He also brought together examples of excellence, as well as poor and bewildering business behaviour in his entertaining yet salutary book Workplace Fables. He is now focused on employee engagement - what it means, how to achieve it, and why it's...

Ebony Rainford-Brent

Ebony threw herself into sport as a way of escaping the environment in which her brother was stabbed. She became the first black woman to play cricket for England, retaining the Ashes and winning the World Cup and Twenty20 in a single year. She is now TMS’ first female analyst and Director of Women’s Cricket at Surrey, training and mentoring management and players. Ebony encourages us to challenge ourselves and learn to see through a different lens.

Jay Rayner

The Kitchen Cabinet host, critic and sometime MasterChef judge is “a greedy man in a hungry world.” Alongside reviews he also likes to slay sacred cows, like the cult of farmers’ markets. As well as a serious look at the food industry, what we eat and why, and the resillience of the restaurant sector, Jay dispenses his view on service and food fads and dips into his one man theatre show My Dining Hell – examining why we’re all so keen to read lousy restaurant reviews.