Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell is a communicator and business strategist best known for his role as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman, Chief Press Secretary and Director of Communications and Strategy. Still very much active in politics in Britain and around the world, he now divides his time between writing, after dinner speaking, charitable fundraising and consultancy.

Alastair was born in Yorkshire in 1957, moved to Leicester in 1968 and attended school there until going to Cambridge University in 1975. He graduated four years later with a degree in modern languages. This included a year in France when he had his first 'journalism' published, articles on sex in Forum magazine. He also busked around the world with his bagpipes.

Alastair eventually decided to become a journalist and trained with the Mirror Group on local papers in the West Country before joining the Mirror itself in 1982. He left in the mid 1980s to work for Eddy Shah's ‘Today' newspaper but subsequently returned to the Mirror. There he rose to become Political Editor and the paper's Political Columnist.

He then worked briefly for Today under new ownership in 1994 before being asked by Tony Blair to be his Press Secretary when he became leader of the Labour Party. Alastair did this for three years, and in his own autobiography, Tony Blair credits Alastair with coining the phrase ‘New Labour' as the label for the party's strategy, and described him as a ‘genius' for the role he played in helping to create New Labour, return the Party to power, and win three general elections.

After the 1997 election Alastair became the Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary and Official Spokesman. He did this job for Labour's first term but after helping Tony Blair win a second term, he became Director of Communications and Strategy. Alastair did this until he resigned in 2003, saying it had been enormous privilege but he wanted more of a life with his partner and their three children.

Since resigning as Director of Communications and Strategy, Alastair has been spending his time making after dinner and keynote speeches, writing, working for his charity and corporate consulting. He remains one of the party¹s most in-demand speakers at fundraising and motivational events. Together with former sports minister Richard Caborn, he pulled together two of the most successful fundraising dinners in Labour¹s history, both on the theme of sport at Wembley stadium.

Alastair Campbell's main hobbies are running, playing bagpipes and following Burnley FC. He took up running at the instigation of his sons and he has since run the London Marathon, the Great North Run, and the Great Ethiopian Run, all for Leukaemia Research Fund, his best friend having been killed by the disease.

In his time in Downing Street he was involved in all the major policy issues and international crises. He has said that in ten years in the media, and a decade in politics, he saw his respect for the media fall and his respect for politics rise. He was called to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards twice, first for his insights into modern journalism, second to give his views on the changed relationship between politics and media.

He is a sought after speaker at events around the world, specialising in strategic communications, leadership, team building and crisis management.

Alastair Campbell is a highly sought-after public speaker, not only in Britain but Europe and around the world. Drawing on his vast experience of ten years working alongside Tony Blair, and his considerable understanding of the modern media, Alastair specialises in strategy, making change, dealing with the media and crisis management – often at the same time.

Dozens of testimonials from a wide variety of businesses, organisations and conference organisers have paid tribute to his skills as an engaging and innovative speaker, able to apply his insights and experience to the work of others with wit and passion. Alastair always liaises directly with event organisers in advance of the event so as to tailor his presentation to their specific needs.

Often controversial, and always prepared to speak his mind, Alastair Campbell is willing, indeed keen, to make a question and answer session part of his presentations.

Blueprint For The Winning Formula
Alastair Campbell knows all about winning. As Tony Blair’s chief spokesman and strategist he helped guide the Labour Party to victory in three successive general elections, and he’s fascinated by what it takes to win.

How do sports stars excel, entrepreneurs thrive, or individuals achieve their ambition? Is their ability to win innate? Or is the winning mindset something we can all develop? Drawing on the mindset and wisdom from an astonishing array of talented individuals – from elite athletes to top managers, from rulers of countries to rulers of global business empires – Alastair Campbell uses his forensic skills, as well as his own experience of politics and sport, to get to the heart of success.

Alastair examines how winners tick. He considers how they build great teams. He analyses how they deal with unexpected setbacks and new challenges. He judges what the very different worlds of politics, business and sport can learn from one another. And he sets out a blueprint for winning that we can all follow.

Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Alastair Campbell. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.