Speechwriters ID UK’s best business communicator

Martin Broughton, Chairman of BA and former President of the CBI, has been awarded the UK Speechwriters’ Guild first Business Communicator of the Year Award 2010. The judges said:

“During his tenure as President of the CBI Martin Broughton’s speeches were witty, direct and controversial, making headlines and entertaining audiences. He can craft a phrase, select a great quotation and crack a good joke, which is extremely rare among top British executives and almost unheard of from a man trained as an accountant. His speeches should be studied by corporate communications departments as models of excellence.”

The runners-up were Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England and Rory Sutherland, Vice-Chairman of Ogilvy Group UK.

To read the citation, which includes examples from Mr Broughton’s best speeches, click here.

UK Speechwriters Guild founder Brian Jenner adds that he’s invited Boughton to attend an awards luncheon:

“He’s a busy man, but he might accept.”

The UK Speechwriters’ Guild launched in March 2009 and has about 50 members from Government departments, the City, political parties, charities and corporate communications agencies.