David Blunkett
One of the most recognisable politicians of the 21st century, David Blunkett spent his entire life battling against the odds before going on to hold some of the most powerful positions in the country. Spending decades in the upper echelons of power have provided David with a whole host of fascinating anecdotes, which he can now bring to audiences everywhere in his capacity as an after-dinner speaker. As well as his stories from life at Westminister, he’s become well-known for being one of the industry’s best diversity keynote speakers due to his blindness. This has seen him come up against far more adversity than your average politician.
David was born with a genetic disorder that meant his optic nerves did not develop correctly, thus rendering him blind. In his capacity as one of the UK’s best diversity keynote speakers, he can discuss how he coped growing up with his disability, and how he never gave up on his dreams despite repeatedly being told had no prospects.
Losing his father at a young age, and growing up in poverty in Sheffield also meant that David was socially aware from an early stage – something that made him keen to want to make a difference in later life. Politics was the vehicle he decided to use to achieve his ambitions, and in the early 70s, he became Sheffield City Council’s youngest ever councillor at the age of 22.
From here his career went from strength to strength, and in 1987 he was named Labour’s MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough. In 1997 the Labour party won the general election, and David was destined for a significant role in government under Tony Blair’s tenure.
Over the next decade, he went on to hold a number of senior roles in the cabinet including Home Secretary, Minister of Work and Pensions and Minister for Education and Employment. At his speaking events, David is always happy to discuss the responsibility he felt holding such high-profile positions.
Since departing the Commons in 2015, David has spent much of his time on charitable endeavours, working alongside a number of charities for the blind.
One of the most fascinating diversity keynote speakers on the circuit, David Blunkett can give a unique perspective on working in the heart of government as well as overcoming the adversity his disability has brought. For booking information, contact Evolve today.
Topics and Themes
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Motivational
- Politics
Do you want to book David Blunkett?
Add this speaker to your list to review and book later, or enquire about booking them now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most commonly asked questions and answers. If you can’t see your question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Booking a speaker is made as straightforward as possible with Evolve. Start by browsing our website for the perfect speaker or call us directly to get a shortlist and advice. We can then get a quote on the price and ensure that the date is available. Once the deposit is received, we can put all the logistical details in place including sorting out the contract, travel accommodation etc. We will also provide a full brief to ensure that your chosen speaker meets your expectations.
The fee normally includes a keynote speech, as well as Q&A and meet and greet, but we can tailor the package to your needs and budget. Travel and accommodation for the speaker are normally charged separately but can be arranged by us.
Instead of having to approach each speaker individually, which can be challenging and time-consuming, we will take care of all of the legwork for you. The relationships that we have built up ensure that we are able to negotiate a fair price and take care of all the tricky logistical details that can otherwise cause a major headache. We ensure that a detailed contract is drawn up and are available to deal with any challenges that may occur along the way.
Of course! One of our team would love to talk you through the range of speakers on our website and what they can offer to your next big event.
Simply get in touch with us over the phone or via email to discuss being added to our stable of speakers.
We work with the management team and other agencies of the speakers and celebrities on our website. You can always expect to receive an excellent level of support from Evolve and we strive to ensure that each and every booking fulfils all your expectations.
How we can help
Our team is ideally placed to help you find a speaker for your next big occasion. Using our extensive contact list and expertise in the industry, we will help in seeking out a star that matches your needs perfectly, ensuring that your event goes off with a bang. Talk to us today for more information.
Talk to us
