After Dinner SpeakersPenny Mordaunt was a Parliamentarian for 14 years, holding nine ministerial roles, four in Cabinet.
She was the first and only woman to be Secretary of State for Defence and the first and only woman to be Minister for the Armed Forces.
As Paymaster General, she became the UK government’s first cross-government defensive cyber lead. In this role, Penny was tasked with leading the UK in preparing and responding to threats, rebuilding the UK’s civil contingencies and resilience strategy, and bolstering the UK’s defensive cyber security.
She has been Secretary of State for International Development, working with UN agencies and international organisations, and she was the UK’s representative at the World Bank.
As Trade Minister, Penny brokered new trade deals, oversaw the UK’s accession to CPTPP and established economic agreements with US states in place of a federal deal. In doing so, she undertook the longest tour of the US of any Minister since Churchill during WWII.
Furthermore, Penny was on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee overseeing the UK’s exit from the EU.
She has held other roles in local government, work, health, pensions and disability. Prior to Parliament she worked across all sectors and also in US politics as Head of Foreign Press for the RNC during the Bush 2000 campaign.
Rt. Hon Penny Mordaunt’s previous political positions include:
- Paymaster General (2020)
- Secretary of State for Defence (2019)
- Secretary of State for International Development (2017)
- Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (2016)
- Minister for the Armed Forces (2015)
- Minister of Local Government (2014)
- Governor at the World Bank
Penny was a Royal Navy Reservist for 10 years. As a result, she is an Honorary Captain affiliated with MCM2 Squadron, the UK’s mine hunters and bomb disposal divers.
She is co-author of Greater: Britain after the Storm, which made bestseller lists in the UK and the US.
She came to the public’s attention as Leader of the Commons and Lord President of the Council, presiding over the Accession Council following Queen Elizabeth II’s death and at the coronation of King Charles III.
Penny Mordaunt – Keynote Speaker
Penny is a powerful, incisive, outstanding speaker on leadership, management, situational awareness, geopolitics, and future trends.
From the World Bank board through the UK Cabinet to collaborating with civic entrepreneurs, Penny brings learning and innovation experience across sectors that link the local and global.
With a track record of success in the UK Cabinet, local leadership, and the arenas of defence, development, and disability, Penny is the perfect speaker for organisations that want to celebrate every colleague’s contribution and build inclusive boards for modern times.
She is a serious, entertaining, and thoughtful speaker who will challenge, encourage and inspire any trade association or senior team.
Penny Mordaunt – Guest Speaker
Rt. Hon Penny Mordaunt has won Parliamentary Wit of the Year and Spectator Speech of the Year and was among Gracia and Vogue’s Most Influential Women of the Year. Known for her speeches and exchanges in the House of Commons, she is one of only four women to have been asked to address the Saints and Sinners Club, the others being Princess Anne, Margaret Thatcher and Dame Vera Lynn.
A witty and entertaining political speaker, Penny discusses life in the UK, current affairs, and politics and offers audiences a glimpse into life in the Corridors of Powers.
