Tony Ball, Esq, MBE's Biography

Tony Ball, Esq, MBE's Professional Career

Career

indentured engrg apprentice Austin Motor Co 1951, responsible for launch of Mini 1959, UK sales mangr Austin Motor Co 1962-66, sales and mktg exec BMC 1966-67, chm Barlow Rand UK Motor Group 1967-78 (md Barlow Rand Ford South Africa 1971-73 and Barlow Rand Euro Ops 1973-78), chm and md British Leyland Int and Nuffield Press 1978-80, chm and md British Leyland Europe and Overseas 1979-82 (dir British Leyland Cars, British Leyland International, Rover Gp, Austin Morris, Jaguar Cars, Jaguar Rover Triumph Inc (USA) and BL overseas subsids), world sales chief BL Cars 1979-81 (responsible for BL Buy British campaign and launch of Austin Metro 1980), chief exec Henlys plc 1981-83, fndr Tony Ball Associates plc (mktg, product launch and event production agency) 1983-; dep chm: Lumley Insurance Ltd 1983-95, Lumley Warranty Services Ltd 1983-95; dir: Customer Concern Ltd 1986-92, Jetmaster Int 1989-97, Billy Marsh Associates Ltd (theatre agency) 1992-, Royal Carlton Hotel Blackpool 1998-2007 (Blackpool's Hotel of the Year 2002-03 and 2003-04); mktg advsr to: Sec of State for Agric and Food from Britain 1982, Sec of State for Energy 1983-87, Sec of State for Wales 1987-91; responsible for producing UK dealer launch of Vauxhall Astra for General Motors; launches and special events for: Br Motor Corp (BMC), Rover, Land Rover, Jaguar, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, Bedford Trucks, Mazda, Proton, Lada, Leyland DAF, LDV, Daihatsu, Optare Buses, AWD, GM Europe, Pioneer Electronics UK, Gillette Europe; responsible for prodn and promotion of SMMT Br International Motor Show 1986-96; mktg advsr to relaunch of London Zoo; creator and producer: Rugby World Cup opening and closing ceremonies 1991 (England) and 1999 (Wales), Lloyds Private Banking Playwright of the Year Award 1995-99, opening and closing ceremonies at Wembley Stadium of European Football Championships Euro '96, FA Cup Finals 1996-2000, RFU 125th Anniversary Twickenham 1996 and 6 Nations Championships 1996-, Scottish Motor Show 1997, 1999 and 2001, special events Ferodo Centenary 1997, opening ceremony 6 Nations Rugby Championship for RFU Francais at Stade de France Paris 1998, opening ceremony Cricket World Cup 1999; responsible for production of British Motor Industry Centenary Year 1996 for SMMT; advance planning advsr Cwlth Games ceremonies 2002; contrib FA presentation for England's bid to host World Cup 2006; broadcaster, writer, lectr and after-dinner speaker, Meml Lecture Univ of Birmingham 1982, various TV and radio documentaries, prodr ITV documentary The Birth of Rugby 1991, panellist BBC Any Questions; pres Austin Ex-Apprentices Assoc 2006-, chm Fellowship of the Motor Industry 2007-11 (pres 2011-); patron Wordsworth Tst 2005-; winner Benedictine Awards Business After Dinner Speaker of the Year 1992-93; Freeman City of London 1980; govr Bromsgrove Coll of FE 1982-90; Liveryman: Worshipful Co of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers 1980, Worshipful Co of Carmen 1983; hon memb City & Guilds of London 1982, Prince Philip Medal for Mktg Achievement and Servs to Br Motor Industry 1984; FIMI 1980, FCIM 1981, FCGI 1999

Tony Ball, Esq, MBE's Publications

Books and Publications

Metro - The Book of the Car (contrib), A Marketing Study of the Welsh Craft Industry (Govt report, 1988), Tales Out of School - Early Misdeeds of the Famous (contrib), Making Better Business Presentations (contrib), Men and Motors of The Austin (contrib)

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