European Speechwriters
By European Speechwriter Network
The Art of Listening
Former BBC journalist Steve Rawling talks about how speechwriters can learn from listening at the European Speechwriter Network conference in Oxford March 2025.
A Speech in Memory of Dr Max Atkinson
Simon Atkinson from IPSOS delivers a speech remembering the great public speaking consultant and speechwriter Dr Max Atkinson.
In Praise of Populism
Professor Michael Burke from Utrecht University discusses the relationship between populism and democracy at the European Speechwriter Network conference in Oxford March 2025.
The Demagogic Genius of Donald Trump
Journalist, Kevin Toolis, gives an analysis of the rhetoric of Donald Trump at the European Speechwriter Network conference in Oxford March 2025.
The Language of Evil
Guy Doza talks about his new book, The Language of Evil, How dictators manipulate the masses and wield power through words.
Does European Speechwriting have a Future?
European Commission Speechwriter, Daniel Mouqué, provides a rousing speech in favour of the European Union.
Brian Jenner on AI (BBC World Service)
Brian Jenner spoke about the influence of AI on speechwriting on the BBC.
Obama speechwriter, Sarada Peri, in conversation with Jess Cunniffe
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Sarada was Special Assistant to the President and Senior Speechwriter for President Barack Obama. Prior to joining the White House, she was a Principal at West Wing Writers. She was also a member of the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Democratic National Convention speechwriting teams. Today she runs her own firm, Peri Communications, where she helps C-suite executives, non-profit leaders, philanthropists, and politicians with speechwriting, speech delivery, message strategy, and more. Sarada also writes under her own byline, and has been published in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and other outlets.
A recovering policy wonk, Sarada worked in the U.S. Senate as a health care and education legislative staffer. She started her career as a high school English teacher in New Orleans through Teach for America, and is a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
John Zimmer, Why native speakers can't speak English!
John Zimmer talks about how to overcome the linguistic challenges of multilingual audiences and multilingual speakers.
John has worked for a major Canadian law firm, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation. He also teaches public speaking in the Executive Programmes at the University of Geneva, University of Lausanne and IESE in Barcelona.
This session was part of the 23rd European Speechwriter Network conference at Robinson College / Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, 17 - 19 April 2024.
Professor Alan Finlayson leads the Speechwriters’ Anthem
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Justine Bashford, The Point of Speeches
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Sindre Weber, The pen and the sword: speechwriting in the Norwegian Ministry of Defence
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Tessa van Beest, From pen to podium: mastering speech writing in an age of populism
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Alan Barker welcomes delegates to Sidney Sussex
23rd European Speechwriter Network Conference, 17-19 April 2024 at Robinson College/Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Rodger Evans, What the Samaritans can teach us about Speechwriting
How intense listening can improve the way we write
Jim Holtje - The End of the World is just Beginning
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
Devin van den Berg - AI Speechwriting
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
Antti Mustakallio - Sanna Marin's Rhetoric
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
Kevin Toolis - The Genius of Donald Trump
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
Hanneke Kulik - The Value of Commemorative Speeches
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
Abele Kamminga - Writing for an Atypical Mayor
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 22nd conference at The Social Hub on Friday 20 October 2023.
David Murray - What Only Speeches Can Do
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Jess Cunniffe - Memoirs
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Åse Thomassen - Rhetoric About Climate: Greta Thunberg Speeches
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Lawrence McEnerney - The Gettysburg Address
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Marie Algoud - Writing for Cartoon Characters
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
James McCabe - Speech into Story
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Matt Greenough - ‘How do you say?’ Writing for Worldwide Audiences
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Anita Furu & Caspar Strand - How to Save a Country with a Speech
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Renée Broekmeulen - Writing in the Shadows
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 21st conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 22 March - 24 March 2023. Speakers included Jess Cunniffe MBE, Matt Greenough, Marie Algoud, Anita Furu, Caspar Strand, David Murray, Dr James McCabe, Renée Broekmeulen, Ben Ray, Åse Thomassen and Alison Reid.
Letshwiti Tutwane - Speechwriting in Botswana
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Patrick Maloney - An Update on Speechwriting in Germany
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Angel Gurria-Quintana - Speechwriting and Translation
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Q&A with Terry Szuplat and Neringa Bliūdžiūtė – Lessons from the Obama White House
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Jens Kjeldsen – The Rhetoric of Eulogies
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Bjorn Berge – The Norwegian King’s Speech
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Marianna Pascal - The Audience Journey
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Alan Finlayson - Protest Songs and Speeches
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Anne Pédron-Moinard
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Lieke Hagebeuk – The Dutch Corona Experience
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Nick Hawton - Virtual Speechwriting
The UK Speechwriters' Guild / European Speechwriter Network held its 20th conference at Emanuel College, Cambridge, from 30 March - 1 April 2022. Speakers included Terry Szuplat, Amélie Crosson, Matt Greenough, Nick Hawton, Lieke Hagebeuk, Marianna Pascal, Anne Pédron-Moinard, Professor Alan Finlayson, Bjørn Berge, Jens Kjeldsen, Martin Shovel, Martha Leyton, Michel Reinders and Max Atkinson.
Speechwriting in the Time of Covid
Brian Jenner's address to the Professional Speechwriters Association on Tuesday 20 October 2020
How to sell like a market trader
Brian Jenner describes the sales tactics of market stall traders and explains their key insights into human psychology.
Quentin Skinner and the history of speechwriting
How can I train my sons to get to the top of politics?
The Immoral Techniques of Dr Max Atkinson
Melanie Dunn - Hiding pride and packing a punch - the privilege and paradox of being a speechwriter
Kevin Toolis - Princess Diana and the 'catastrophe' speech
Antonia Fleischmann - Why do central bankers give speeches, and how do I try to write them?
