Iain Dale's Curriculum Vitae

Named in the London Evening Standard’s “Power People” list as one of the top 200 most influential people of 2001.









Tel 07768 254690
Daytime 0207 828 0010
Email [email protected]

Date of Birth 15 July 1962


Career History

Current

Managing Director, Politico’s Bookstore
Managing Director, Politico’s Publishing
Managing Director, Politico’s Design

Following 8 months of planning I opened Politico’s Bookstore, close to the Houses of Parliament, in February 1997. Since then it has established itself as Britain’s leading political bookstore, gaining a nationwide reputation through appearances on television and radio programmes. The bookstore receives more media mentions than any other independent bookstore in the country and was recently voted by The Independent fourth best out of 50 specialist booksellers in the UK. In May 1998 a separate publishing company was formed and in its first year of operations published more than 20 book and video titles, including three books which were serialised in national newspapers - a first for a small publisher. Both business have a well regarded website. I lead a team of ten, highly motivated and committed members of staff, with a range of backgrounds and skills. Politico’s Bookstore is a limited company in which I own a majority of the shares. However, as Managing Director I am accountable to 14 other minor shareholders. I also own 50% of the shares in Politico’s Publishing. In July 2001 I was instrumental in forming Politico’s Design, a political website and print design company. I own 25% of the shares.

Political Analyst & Radio Presenter

Through my background in the political world and my current role I have developed a sideline career in broadcasting. I am regularly invited into political and current affairs programmes as a political pundit or analyst and have appeared on News at Ten, Sky News, BBC News, Radio 4, Radio 5 and many local radio stations. I am a regular contributor to the Gyles Brandreth programme on LBC and present Planet Politics on Oneword Radio. I have also presented a doucmentary on Radio 5 Live, as well as a dozen editions of 5 Live's Sunday Service programme.

Programme Credits

* Presenter of Radio 5 Live’s Sunday Service programme
* Presenter of the monthly programme Planet Politics on Oneword Radio
* Regular contributor to Radio 4’s Broadcasting House
* Guest paper reviewer on BBC 1's Breakfast with Frost
* Regular newspaper reviewer for BBC News 24
* Regular newspaper reviewer for Sky News
* Regular contributor and paper reviewer for 5 Live Breakfast
* Prime Minister’s Question Time pundit for Simon Mayo Programme on 5 Live
* 5 Live Drive
* Nicky Campbell Show, Radio 5 Live
* Regular political pundit on Brian Hayes Show on LBC
* Regular guest on Gyles Brandreth on Sunday on LBC
* Guest presenter of Stairway to Heaven on LBC
* Regular newspaper reviewer and political analyst on BBC London Live
* Regular political analyst on BBC Wales
* Interviewed for ITN News at Ten
* Presented the Political Book of the Year award at the 2003 Channel 4 Political Awards

1990 to May 1996

Managing Director, The Waterfront Conference Company
Deputy Managing Director, The Waterfront Partnership
Managing Director, The Waterfront Publishing Company

In late 1990 I set up The Waterfront Partnership public affairs consultancy with former British Ports Federation colleague, Nicholas Finney with an initial remit to provide Trust Ports with advice on privatisation issues. The company has developed into one of the top ten political consultancies in the UK, advising clients from the transport, energy, food, film and local government sectors on all aspects of government relations. In 1992 set up a separate conference organising business, which achieved a turnover approaching £1 million per annum, employing 11 staff. Between 1992 and 1996 the company organised more than fifty commercial conferences. The company specialises in organising conferences on policy themes, particularly in the transport sector.

In 1995 set up a publishing venture aiming to publish a transport industry yearbook at the end of 1996. The Waterfront Group at its peak in 1996 employed 22 people with a 1996-97 turnover of £1.9 million.

1989-90

Finance Reporter, Lloyd’s List International

I Joined Lloyd’s List as a finance reporter, specialising in insurance but also writing on political matters and maritime policy and a regular contributor to the paper’s diary column. I also contributed on a freelance basis to the Daily Telegraph and The Broker.

1987-89

Public Affairs Manager, British Ports Federation

I was responsible for creating, developing and successfully implementing an extensive nation-wide media and political campaign to persuade the Government to repeal the National Dock Labour Scheme. I co-ordinated the port employers’ public relations response to the changes being implemented and ensured that confidence was maintained in the employers’ management of the industrial situation by Industry, Government, the public and the media. I acted as one of the employers’ media spokesmen, appearing on radio and being quoted in national, local and trade publications on a daily basis. At the same time I had to brief politicians of all parties and influence the progress of the parliamentary legislation. This extensive campaign embraced an unusual mix of personal requirements, with a need to operate at the highest level with constant demands being made for creative ideas, crisis management and long term planning research.

1985-87

Campaign Manager to three Conservative Members of Parliament

Duties involved running a parliamentary office in the House of Commons, dealing with constituency affairs, election planning, media co-ordination, Parliamentary liaison, research and speech writing.

Education

1981-85

University of East Anglia, Upper Second Class Honours Degree in German and Linguistics. Included one year teaching English to students in Germany. Spent one year in Germany working in a hospital between school and university.

1973-80

Saffron Walden County High School - 8 O Levels, 3 A Levels

Other Skills & Qualifications

Excellent keyboard skills - proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Foxpro, WordStar, Internet. Fluency in German with a basic knowledge of French.

Interests

Active sport, particularly tennis, squash, golf and cricket. I am a West Ham United season ticket holder. I enjoy travel, music, current affairs & politics and reading political biography.

Books published

March 2001
Memories of the Falklands, Politico’s

October 2001
Directory of Political Websites, Politico’s

October 2000
Memories of Maggie, Politico’s

November 1999
Conservative Party General Election Manifestos 1900-1997, Routledge
Labour Party General Election Manifesos 1900-1997, Routledge
Liberal Party General Election Manifestos 1900-1997, Routledge

September 1999
Tony Blair New Labour Joke Book, Robson Books

October 1998
The Wit & Wisdom of Tony Banks, Robson Books

April 1998
Bill Clinton Joke Book, Robson Books

October 1997
The Blair Necessities: The Book of Tony Blair Quotations, Robson Books

April 1997
The Unofficial Book of Political Lists, Robson Books

March 1997
As I Said to Denis: The Book of Margaret Thatcher Quotations

September 1993
The End of the Dock Labour Scheme: An Interim Appraisal, Aims of Industry

Political Activity

2002 Approved Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
1997-present Managing Director, Politico’s Bookstore
1991 Borough Council Candidate, Waltham Forest
1987 General Election Campaign Manager, Norwich North
1987 City Council Candidate, Norwich City Council
1985 County Council Candidate, Norfolk County Council
1983-85 Speaker & Debator for Peace Through NATO
1985-87 Executive Council Member, Norwich North Conservative Assn.
1979- present Member of the Conservative Party