Since starting the European Speechwriter Network a number of eminent people have been part of our group, and they have subsequently died.
Edward Mortimer, the former speechwriter to Kofi Annan, spoke at our conferences in 2010 and 2018. He was an urbane man, son of a bishop, so enthusiastic, gracious and kind.
Fred Metcalf, a compulsive collector of humorous one-liners for anthologies, which he supplied to Presidents, Prime Ministers and Sir David Frost.
Denise Graveline who was a fierce champion of female oratory and loyal supporter of our work.
Hans Kristian Amundsen accepted an invitation to talk to us in Berlin about his experiences writing speeches for Jens Stoltenberg, the former Prime Minister of Norway, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks made by Anders Breivik.
Lady Fiona Montagu, a formidable aristocrat who radiated beauty, wit and eloquence.
Dr Max Atkinson a dour Yorkshireman who had a wonderful gift for telling stories. He was an advocate for effective communication in a world which was too lazy to master the basics. It was his research that inspired the creation of the Guild and subsequently and the Network.
At a moment when it’s hard to find models of excellence in our public life, these characters represent values worth emulating and fighting for.