Sir Digby Jones
Sir Digby Jones is the former director general of the CBI.
He was considered to be one of the most successful holders
of the post, and been an energetic champion of British Business
around the world, for the past 6 years. In 1978, after some
time in the Royal Navy, he started his career with corporate
law firm, becoming a partner in 1984. In 1998 he joined
KPMG as vice-chairman of corporate finance, where he acted
as close adviser to many public companies across the United
Kingdom and in KPMG's global markets. On 1 January 2000
he became director-general of the CBI and in September 2003
his term was extended by 2 years at the request of CBI members.
As the chief executive of the UK's 'voice of business', he
regularly and repeatedly visited businesses around the UK
and across the world, taking their views back to those who
make the rules, be they in Westminster or Brussels. He appeared
regularly on television, radio and in the newspapers, promoting
the interests of wealth and job creation in the UK, and
has taken the British business message to 60 different countries,
and in the process set-up CBI offices in Brussels and Washington.
He holds a variety of directorships in both the public and
private sectors and holds honorary doctorates from a host
of universities. He is involved with a number of charities,
including holding the vice presidency of UNICEF and the
Chairmanship of Cancer Research UK Ambassadors for whom
he raised £191,000 by running the Flora London Marathon
in April 2005 in the modest time of 5 hours 58 mins.
He also supports a variety of organisations in his beloved
West Midlands, such as the Birmingham Hospice appeal, for
whom he personally raised £218,000 by cycling from John
O'Groats to Lands End in 1998. Sir Digby is an outstanding
orator - witty, authoritative, full of passion - and will
always tailor his material to suit his audience. He is an
experienced keynote speaker and a popular choice for conferences
and seminars and can speak on a wide range business issues
from international trade opportunities to the training &
skills required to cope with globalisation, drawing on his
lifetime of unique achievement having worked closely with
governments all around the world promoting British business.
As an after dinner speaker, Sir Digby has a fund of anecdotes
to draw upon involving many of the famous people he has
done business with over the years from leading politicians
to show business personalities.
