The 4th Bournemouth Leadership & Communication Conference with Bournemouth University Media School

How often do eyes glaze over the moment you switch on your PowerPoint presentation?

Leadership is about influence, not information.

We need to explore better ways to persuade and lead those around us.

When many forms of communication compete for attention, effective leaders need to master the rawest and most powerful ones.

This conference will show you how to find words that work.

What the one day conference is all about

The UK Speechwriters' Guild has pioneered a format where we listen to top speechwriters talk about their work.

We learn what techniques they use, how they craft stories, how they build relationships with their speakers and organisations.

You will be among like-minded communicators who bring expertise from many different backgrounds.

Who should attend?

This workshop is for anyone wanting to improve their ability to write and deliver speeches. It's also for people wishing to improve their company's ability to communicate ideas and engage staff in developing new behaviours. It's also open to those people who would like to become the TED speakers of the future.

You should attend this course if you are interested in:

• Communicating your organisation's mission, vision and values
• Helping leaders motivate and inspire
• Sharing knowledge
• Becoming a more effective leader
• Engaging people with your ideas

The benefits

• Acquire techniques used in the White House, Parliament and the Foreign Office
• Get insights into rhetoric from top writers
• Listen to outstanding public speakers
• Have your own work analysed in interactive sessions with top trainers
• Meet fellow professionals from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world

What you will learn and leave with

• A better understanding of what makes an effective speech
• Techniques for writing better speeches
• Tips for managing your speakers
• Ways to find persuasive stories
• New contacts, ideas and perspectives on the trade

Speakers

David Murray

Editor of the US-based Vital Speeches of the Day. He was editor of Speechwriter's Newsletter and chairman of Ragan Communications' annual Speechwriter's Conference, the inspiration for the UK Speechwriters' Guild. David Murray has covered speechwriting and executive communication for nearly two decades and his well-known for his 'speechwriter jam' sessions.

Professor Max Atkinson

Former speechwriter for Lord Ashdown and author of the definitive work on preparing speeches, Lend Me Your Ears, Max Atkinson pioneered academic research into effective political speechwriting. He was formerly a Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford and has held visiting professorships at the Henley Management College and other universities in Europe and the USA.

Stuart Mole

A former Director of the Secretary-General’s Office in the Commonwealth Secretariat, he first wrote speeches for Clement Freud MP before going on to write for the Chairman of IBM and the Commonwealth Secretary General. He has also worked on the Queen's Speech and Christmas broadcast.

Professor Barry Richards

Professor of Public Communication in the Bournemouth University Media School since September 2001, he developed psychosocial approaches to the study of various forms of public communication, particularly marketing and political communications. He is now studying the implications of changes in social and cultural values for communication strategies, and the dynamics of public opinion in relation to the media. 

Fred Metcalf

Speechwriter in Hollywood and London to famous luminaries including David Frost. He is also editor of the Penguin Book of Modern Quotations and The Penguin Dictionary of Jokes.

Charles Crawford

Served three times as British Ambassador in Sarajevo (1996-1998); in Belgrade (2001-2003) and most recently in Poland (2003-2007). Charles will run a seminar on writing speeches in English for non-native speakers. 

Wendy Cherwinski

For the past 20 years, she has provided speechwriting and presentation writing services and workshops in both English and French through her company Echelon Communications Inc. She is a professional member of CAPS (the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) and a member of the Washington Speechwriters Roundtable.

Conor Burns MP

The MP for Bournemouth West has already built a reputation as an excellent speaker in the House of Commons. He also makes frequent appearances on Radio 4's The Westminster Hour.

Rod Clayton

Head of Issues and Crisis Communications and Joint Head of the Corporate Communications at Weber Shandwick, Rod has dealt with a wide variety of complex issues and crises for many, diverse clients, ranging from global product recalls to extraordinary events such as terrorist attacks. 

He also has considerable experience training CEOs and other major figures who need to be able to answer tough questions not only from the media, but also in legislative committees, depositions and other challenging situations.

Professor Tom Watson

He joined The Media School in January 2007. Before entering academic life, his career covered journalism and public relations in Australia, the UK and internationally. He ran a successful public relations consultancy in Winchester, England for 18 years and was chairman of the UK’s Public Relations Consultants Association from 2000 to 2002.

Tom is an active researcher, with a focus on the history of public relations and professionally-important topics such as measurement and evaluation; reputation management and issues management.

Martin Shovel

Writer, speechwriter, cartoonist and communications expert for Brighton-based CreativityWorks (who created the 'Busting the Mehrabian Myth' viral YouTube hit), he is a a regular contributor to the Guardian’s Mind Your Language blog and the Macmillan Dictionary blog, and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Word of Mouth.

Martha Leyton

Writer, editor, and speechwriter for CreativityWorks, as well as an experienced teacher, trainer and group facilitator, she works with senior figures in the public, private and third sector, helping them to frame their ideas and find their own authentic voice.

Tim Clague

Bafta-nominee film director, winner of the Jerwood Film Prize and owner of Projector Films, Tim Clague will be running a seminar on 'How to broadcast your speech to the world'. 

Some Tips from Last Year's Speakers

What previous attendees have said

Many congratulations to you both for such a disciplined and substantive event. I was really impressed by the range and skill of the presentations and the general approach you took to make it run so well on the day. I myself learned a lot, too, not least from the two Danish speakers who clearly know their business. And, of course, Max Atkinson. The interest from Europe was noteworthy. The scope for improving public speaking on the continent is vast beyond belief!

Charles Crawford, Former British Ambassador

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for such a wonderful day at the Conference. It was one of the most interesting conferences and workshops I have ever attended, really well organised and most enjoyable. I will certainly be attending next year.

Claire Hopkins

I just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for an excellent conference. It was a fascinating day, with a nice array of speakers - some great speechwriting tips were duly noted, and Phil Collins in particular was just brilliant. 

Rory, RNLI

The conference was a great success; you must have put an enormous amount of effort into the organisation, in particular in arranging for such a distinguished group of speakers to entertain and instruct us.

Philip Smee, Toastmasters International

Thanks for a great conference last week. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Tatiana Butovitsch Temm

I just wanted to say thank you so much for organising such a fantastic day on Friday. The speakers were amazing, and I found the insight into Tony Blair’s speechwriting particularly interesting, as well as the opportunity to meet others involved in the business. It must have been a very big undertaking for you, and I hope it’s the start of a very successful Guild, which I’m very pleased to be a part of.

Jane, Philanthropy Capital

I greatly enjoyed the conference, and very much appreciated being invited.

Edward Mortimer, Former Speechwriter to Kofi Annan

Thanks for organising such a great event.

Ben Duncan, Senior Adviser to the Director, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control