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Simon Lancaster is one of the world’s top speechwriters. He first became a speechwriter in the late 1990s, working for members of Tony Blair’s Cabinet. Today, he writes speeches for the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world, including Unilever, HSBC and Intercontinental Hotels Group. He is author of the definitive guide to speechwriting ‘Speechwriting: The Expert Guide’, the award winning ‘Winning Minds: Secrets from the Language of Leadership’ and 'You Are Not Human: How Words Kill' (Biteback, 2018). His next book ‘Connect’ will be published by Bonnier Books in June 2022. He is an executive fellow of Henley Business School and lectures at both Cambridge and Oxford Universities. Simon regularly appears as a media pundit on oratory and his ‘Speak Like a Leader’ TEDx talk has been watched more than 3 million times on YouTube. 
Lyndsey Jenkins spent seven years in government communications, primarily writing speeches and articles for senior Ministers. She has degrees in history and politics, social policy, and creative non-fiction and a PhD in history from the University of Oxford. She is the author of three books. Lyndsey has a knack for capturing exactly how people speak, for structuring a logical and effective argument, and for writing crisp, engaging and persuasive prose. 
Jessica Cunniffe MBE has been writing speeches for more than a decade, first in Parliament and later for Baroness Warsi in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Between 2014 and 2017 she worked in 10 Downing Street as speechwriter to the Prime Minister, during which she wrote David Cameron’s 2015 address to party conference. More recently she helped to write his bestselling autobiography, For the Record. Jess is a brilliant speechwriter: incredibly fast-thinking, with a light and easy writing style. 
Lucy Brunt-Jenner began her career in government communications in the late nineties. She has worked as the Press Secretary to a number of senior government figures including Lord Sainsbury, Sir Stephen Lander and Professor Sir David King. She has written speeches for weddings and funerals as well as major international press conferences.
- SERVICE
- Time is short and standards are high for top politicians and business leaders. We will make the speechwriting process as profitable and painless as possible for you. We will have sleepless nights so that you can sleep easy.
- EXPERTISE
- Our practical experience is underpinned by academic research. Bespoke’s Simon Lancaster is a TEDx speaker, a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University and an Executive Fellow of Henley Business School. He is also the author of Speechwriting: the Expert Guide, the definitive text on business and political speechwriting and Axiom Award winning Winning Minds: Secrets from the Language of Leadership.
- PROFESSIONALISM
- Bespoke’s approach is completely client-focused. We work in the way that best suits our client: no-one else. We understand that flexibility is one of the most important attributes in a successful speechwriter. Some of our speakers want to work very closely with us over several weeks, ping-ponging drafts back and forth. Others prefer that we craft the text working through their advisers, communication departments or PR agencies. Either method is fine for us. What matters to us is that we create a great speech that our audience and speaker will love.
- HISTORY
- Bespoke is Britain’s only specialist speechwriting agency, formed in 2007 following a model established in Washington over many years. We have since built up a client base that includes seven Cabinet Ministers, six FTSE CEOs, six members of the Sunday Times Rich List as well as a clutch of rock stars, TV presenters and Olympic Gold medalists. We have written hundreds of major speeches for prestigious events including the MacTaggart Lecture, Lord Mayor’s Dinners, awards ceremonies, party conferences, leadership hustings, corporate launches, annual reports and trade fairs. Bespoke is continually growing and continually looking to improve the service we offer.
- CLIENTS
- Bespoke’s clients include:
- ENDORSEMENTS
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"Simon's energy, vitality and sheer joie-de-vivre make him a great speechwriter. He has the rare ability to encapsulate in a speech all the central issues in an interesting and entertaining way."
Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
"Simon's a great speechwriter. He has a rare talent for really understanding what you want to say and helping you say it better."
Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP
"Simon is the perfectionist as speechwriter: not only a flair for the word and phrase, but also thorough research and an attention to detail and accuracy which comes from his past life as a senior ministerial adviser."
Lord Adonis
"Simon runs a speechwriting workshop as part of the University of Cambridge's Masters degree in Creative Writing. He balances an entertaining and engaging style with erudite insight and practical useful advice on how to construct a compelling speech. He makes the students laugh and he makes the students work, indeed producing some outstanding material. I don’t think any of them will forget the workshop. I cannot recommend him highly enough."
Dr Sarah Burton Course Director Creative Writing MSt University of Cambridge
"I've worked with dozens of Whitehall speechwriters and Simon is not only the best, he is in a league of his own."
Tom Clark, Editor of 'Great Speeches of the 20th Century' (Preface Publishing, 2008)
"This was a fantastic course - just the right balance between learning and doing. Having "been there and done that," Simon really knows what he's talking about. I went home with loads of ideas and contacts - and more importantly, a real confidence boost."
Lyndsey Jenkins, Speechwriter to Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP
"Simon gave me a fantastic introduction to the art of speechwriting. I use many of the techniques covered on a daily basis."
Andrew Kaye, Speechwriter to Rt Hon Vince Cable MP
"This was one of the best courses I've ever attended. The calibre of speakers was excellent - we heard from people that had actually been there and done the job extremely well. The rhetorical tricks of the trade we learnt have been invaluable. And the course really gave me a chance to try them out in challenging, but fun and engaging practical exercises."
Sara Halliday, Speechwriter to Rt Hon Peter Mandelson MP
"Challenging, engaging and stimulating. A fantastic refresher for experienced speechwriters, and an eye-opener for the less-experienced. This course will change the way you think about communication."
Greg Simpson, Speechwriter to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
"Genuinely useful and very entertaining – a revelation!"
David Tinline, Speechwriter to Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation
"The Mansion House Speech Team prepares more than 800 speeches a year, more than any other Cabinet-level speech office, so we and other speech-producing colleagues in the City of London Corporation need to pull back from time to time to re-focus and re-energise ourselves. In our experience Simon Lancaster from Bespoke is absolutely ideal to help both seasoned and new speechwriters to get to grips with the essence of the art. His work is both imaginative and grounded and valued by all. Book early, book often."
William Beaver, Speechwriter to the Lord Mayor of London
"The course was invaluable. Every time I write a sentence that really nails it, it's because I've applied the techniques that Simon taught me."
Zoe Mayne, Speechwriter to Trevor Phillips
"Great day. Great course. Great insights."
James Hampson, Speechwriter to Lord Kinnock
"Really inspiring."
Lynn Eccles, Speechwriter to Chris Grayling MP, Employment Minister
"This course has been a revelation: not just through appreciating the art, but by sharing experience and meeting interesting people. It has been thoroughly appreciated and enjoyable. Many many thanks."
Benedict Macon-Cooney, Speechwriter, Association of British Insurers
"Thoroughly excellent. Best training I have ever done."
Oliver Rowe, Editor, Public Servant Magazine
"Very helpful. Covered all the things I wanted."
Danny Wilkinson, PR Manager, Which? Magazine
"Good combination of writing technique and strategy."
CG, Head of Corporate Comms, FTSE 100 company
"Excellent communication is critical up, down and across a diverse organisation like ours. Simon brought evidence and expertise in a succession of highly engaging sessions to help my staff learn how to communicate well."
Peter Wanless, then CEO, Big Lottery Fund
"We shared Simon’s fascinating Language of Leadership course with our managers across the world to help them inspire and engage others. The feedback was great! He tailored his material so it was really relevant for us."
Dave Roycroft, HR, Invesco plc
"Simon is extremely charismatic and will really challenge your thinking. Great tips and structures! One of the most enjoyable, practical and informative courses I’ve ever attended."
Paul Pomroy, Head of Finance, McDonalds UK
"Great energy, great participation. Love the head, heart and gut model! Superb practical take-aways which are improving my team’s sales results. Enjoyable and engaging!"
Teresa Kotlicka, HR Business Partner, William Grant and Sons
"Simon has made a huge impact on me and every manager he’s trained. I’ve rarely worked with someone so steeped in their craft. Inspirational! Immeasurable! Indelible!"
Perry Timms, Head of HR, Big Lottery Fund
"The Language of Leadership is one of those rare courses where you truly come away with a toolkit that will enhance your impact. You will never listen to a speech the same way again!"
Alex Higgins, Head of Technology, Palgrave Macmillan
"The Language of Leadership course changed me for the better. I now articulate myself much more clearly, concisely and convincingly than ever before."
Parag Vaghjiani, Policy and Implementation Unit, 10 Downing Street
"Attend this course only if you want to become a deeply inspiring leader. Simon helped me become significantly more passionate, engaging and persuasive in content and style."
Phil Ruse, Head of Operations, Allianz Insurance plc
"Lucy wrote me a wonderful speech at very short notice and gave me excellent service, guidance and support throughout. The final speech went very well and got the audience thinking about the importance of living your life to the full. At the end, many of the guests came up to me and said the speech was excellent. Thank you so much!"
Sadida Trozic
- NEWS
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Speechwriting: the Expert Guide and Bespoke’s courses recommended to aspiring speechwriters
Civil Service World - 27 January 2017
How I accidentally wrote Donald Trump’s inauguration address
Total Politics - 23 January 2017
Simon Lancaster talks to Nicky Campbell about Trump’s inauguration
BBC 5 Live - 20 January 2017
Simon Lancaster discusses Theresa May’s Brexit speech
BBC - 17 January 2017
The essence of the memorable speech
Managers.org.uk - 3 January 2017
How to write and deliver a great speech
First News - 15 December 2016
Simon Lancaster on authentic leadership
Henley Business School Denmark - 15 November 2016
Alan Johnson MP talks about working with Simon Lancaster
Institute for Government - 11 October 2016
Practical guidance to perfect communication - review of the Czech edition of Winning Minds
Kritiky.cz - 12 September 2016
Book review of Winning Minds
Business World - 12 September 2016
Five Live’s Phil Williams interviews Simon Lancaster on speechwriting
BBC – 1 September 2016
Watch Simon Lancaster’s TEDx talk ‘Speak like a leader’
TEDx Verona - 22 May 2016
Why David Cameron is ‘trigger’ happy on the EU
Total Politics - 9 May 2016
Read more
How Dan Jarvis’ big speech sounded like an early Cameron number Total Politics - 11 March 2016
The language of the jungle has no place in the refugee crisis
Total Politics - 4 March 2016
The lady is not for turning… 35 years on
Total Politics - 10 October 2015
Read more
Recipe for the perfect conference speech
The Guardian - 5 October 2015
Read more
A way with words – the spin doctors behind the speeches
Gentleman’s Journal - Autumn 2015
Read more
Review of ‘Winning Minds’ by Simon Lancaster<
Financial Times - 5 August 2015
Read more
Did Barack Obama handle his heckler well?
Sky News - 25 June 2015
How we really pick our leaders Total Politics - 24 June 2015
Watch Simon Lancaster analyse the 2015 election leader’s debates
Sky News - 3 April 2015
Watch more leader’s debate analysis from Simon Lancaster
BBC News - 2 April 2015
BBC article on how to avoid three deadly sins of public speaking with advice from Bespoke’s Simon Lancaster
BBC - 27 September 2014
‘Oratorical power is all in the mind’
Times Educational Supplement - 19 September 2014
Interview with Simon Lancaster on the language of leadership in Denmark’s leading business newspaper
Børsen - 3 September 2014
Simon Lancaster quoted in article on Scottish independence debates - "Smart Alex’ hopes TV debate will turn tide of Scotland vote."
Expatica - 3 August 2014
Blog on Simon Lancaster’s language of leadership - ‘Tactical Techniques for Telling Tales'
International Executive Development Programs - 26 March 2014
Simon Lancaster gives his thoughts to ITV on what makes a great conference speech
ITV - 2 October 2013
Simon Lancaster talks to BBC Radio Scotland about David Cameron's conference speech
BBC Radio Scotland - 2 October 2013
Simon Lancaster writes for GQ magazine – ‘What David Cameron could learn from Lincoln’
GQ magazine – 23rd January 2013
Simon Lancaster writes for Health Service Journal – 'Time for a new metaphor in the NHS'
Health Service Journal – 17th December 2012
Simon Lancaster writes for Total Politics – 'No we can’t: The alternative Barack Obama speech'
Total Politics – 7 November 2012
Simon Lancaster writes for The Guardian – 'David Cameron Speech Bingo'
The Guardian – 10 October 2012
Simon Lancaster writes for The Guardian – 'Playground Politics'
The Guardian – 28 August 2012
Simon Lancaster writes for Total Politics – 'Kony 2012 or Phony 2012'
Total Politics - 5 June 2012
Simon Lancaster delivers 2012 Gresham Lecture – 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Leadership: The Art of Rhetoric'
Gresham Lecture - 17 May 2012
Simon Simon Lancaster writes for The Guardian on political clichés
The Guardian – 12 March 2012
Simon Lancaster writes for Total Politics on the history of rhetoric
Total Politics Magazine - 5th December 2011
Watch Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP relate Simon Lancaster’s advice on the role of the private office
BBC Documentary, The Secret World of Whitehall Part 3/3 - 30th March 2011
Simon Lancaster is quoted in Media Week on the Big Society
Media Week - 21th January 2011
A journalist spots a copy of Speechwriting: The Expert Guide on the Shadow Chancellor's bookshelf
The Independent - 27th December 2010
Simon Lancaster is quoted in PR week on the Wikileaks scandal
PR Week 17th December 2010
Simon Lancaster is quoted in PR week on tuition fees debate
PR Week 10th December 2010
Lessons on speechwriting by Aristotle, Cicero and Quintilian by Simon Lancaster
Mail on Sunday - 20th November 2010
Article about Simon Lancaster¹s “star-studded” book launch
PR Week - 5th November 2010
Four star review for Simon Lancaster’s book
Mail on Sunday – 24th October 2010
The Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast
The Guardian - 7th October 2010
Simon Lancaster quoted on David Cameron's Conservative Conference Speech
Channel 4 news - 6th October 2010
News Article on Bespoke's analysis of the Pope’s rhetoric
PR Week - 17th September 2010
BBC Radio interviews Simon Lancaster about speechwriting
BBC Radio - 19th August 2010
Editorial in praise of... the rule of three (penned by Simon Lancaster)
The Guardian - 15th July 2010
News article on Bespoke¹s analysis of Nick Clegg¹s rhetoric
The Guardian - 6th May 2010
News article on Bespoke¹s study of Conservative and Labour language
The Guardian - 21st April 2010
Expert analysis of the Leaders Debate by Simon Lancaster Guardian video podcast 16 April 2010
Simon Lancaster interviewed on The Art of Speechwriting
Five Live - 21st February 2010
The Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast
The Guardian - 11th February 2010
The Art of Political Speechwriting The New Statesman - 4th February 2010
Writing speeches for Parliament
The House Magazine - 9th November 2009
Should the prime minister employ professional Speechwriters?
The Week magazine - November 6th 2009
The value of speechwriting
The Guardian - 5th November 2009
Writing speeches for Alan Johnson
The Independent - 6th June 2009
Effective Speechwriting
Public Service Magazine – January 2009
The People Speak
The Guardian – November 2008
The Value of Speechwriting
PR Week – November 2008
Where Are They Now?
Feedback Magazine – October 2008
Speechwriting Podcast by Simon Lancaster
PR Week – 15th August 2008
Speechwriting – Take centre stage
PR Week – 15th August 2008
The Lost Art of Oratory
Whitehall and Westminster World - 6th May 2008
Bespoke Speechwriting Services
PR Week - 2nd May 2008
Whitehall Speechwriter launches own venture
Public Affair News - May 2008
In Praise of… American Rhetoric
The Guardian - 29th April 2008
Speechwriter quits to set up new agency
Whitehall and Westminster World - 22nd April 2008
Seeming is Believing
Guardian Article - 2nd December 2007
The Art of Persuasion
Guardian Article - 30th April 2007
In Praise of Oratory
Guardian Article - 23rd September 2006
- CONTACT US
- Bespoke Speechwriting Services Ltd.
- 9 Adam Street
- Westminster
- London WC2N 6AA
- T: 020 7730 2883
- M: 07725 146770
- E: enquiries@bespokespeeches.com
- Youtube Channel
Bespoke.
The specialist speechwriting agency.
Bespoke Speechwriting Services Ltd | 9 Adam Street | London WC2N 6AA | T: 020 7730 2883 | M: 07725 146770 | E: enquiries@bespokespeeches.com
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