William Hague
William Hague was Leader of the Opposition from 1997-2001. He is perhaps best known for his skill in parliamentary debate, particularly in some 200 exchanges and debates with Tony Blair.Hague was born and brought up in Yorkshire, where he continues to serve as Member of Parliament for Richmond. After attending a local comprehensive (and
creating a sensation as a schoolboy speaker at the Conservative Party Conference), he took a first class degree at Oxford and then gained a distinction in his MBA at INSEAD.
William spent five years as a consultant at McKinsey & Co before entering the House of Commons, where he was soon appointed Minister for Pensions and then
Secretary of State for Wales in the Major Government. He was voted Politician of the Year by Channel 4 viewers, and Parliamentarian of the Year by the Spectator – an accolade he shares with his occasional TV sparring partner Tony Benn. William remains active in politics and is a senior figure in the International Democrat Union, the global network of Centre-Right parties and was appointed shadow foreign secretary in 2005 by David Cameron.
As well as his wonderfully entertaining after dinner speech, William offers keynote
presentations based around two principal themes: ‘Lessons of Leadership’ and
‘What is Happening in the World’. Having served in the Cabinet and led a political party he has found out the hard way what makes people work together, or fail to do so, and how to cope with significant setbacks. He delves into the strengths and weaknesses of different styles of leadership, and provides a poignant and much-needed insight into both Tony Blair and George W Bush - with whom he has a long-standing relationship.
William also uses his rare blend of corporate and political experience to picture the
future as it will affect both business and society. He describes the huge impact of
demographic change and the importance of patterns in military spending alongside
wider economic trends. Where will power lie in the decade ahead? On a much lighter note, William is a seasoned raconteur used to sharing the stage with the likes of Rory Bremner and Dame Edna. With a great deal of natural Yorkshire wit, he takes the rise out of senior politicians (of all parties) - and tells of the dangers when drink, politicians and temptation come together.
William is now using his business skills once again, as an advisor to the JCB
Group and Terra Firma Capital Partners. His landmark biography of William Pitt
the Younger, published by HarperCollins was launched in September 2004. William
practises judo regularly, plays the piano and whenever possible indulges in his
passion for cross-country skiing.
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