Following the recent global success of his book The Language of Leaders, Kevin Murray, PR guru, author, and Chairman of The Good Relations Group will be interviewed by Simon Walker, Director General of the IoD.

Kevin will be sharing his business insights and discussing his new book – Communicate to Inspire – a ‘how-to’ guide for aspiring leaders as they seek to inspire their audiences and build a trusted brand. Lessons and stories from a range of Murray’s personal experiences over more than 40 years at the top of communications leads readers to better understand the softer skills needed to bring the best out of others.

Tony Manwaring, Chief Executive of Tomorrow’s Company will then open-up and facilitate a panel debate about the challenges of trust, where Kevin and Simon will be joined by Sir Eric Peacock, Non-Executive Director, UK Trade and Investment.

Kevin Murray is the Chairman of The Good Relations Group and a former national newspaper journalist and magazine publisher, Murray specialises in the field of strategic communications, reputation management and leadership communications coaching. His clients include Visa, Fujitsu and Airbus. Murray was previously Director of Communications for British Airways and Group Public Relations Manager for Bayer, which is one of the world’s major chemicals-to-pharmaceuticals companies. He advises chairmen and chief executives, as well as directors of communication and marketing. He also has considerable experience in managing complex and global communications projects and departments. He has managed significant issues and crisis communications in the heat of controversies in the chemicals, nuclear, aviation and banking sectors, to name but a few.

Sir Eric Peacock was knighted in 2003 for his services to international trade, Sir Eric is Non-Executive Director, UK Trade and Investment and previously sat on the boards of the Foreign Office and the Department for Business. He is currently chairman of Buckley Jewellery, Stevenage Packaging, Halo International (furniture), Winmark (networks and research), Technis (business development), Baydonhill (currency trading), and Boxford Group (leisure and farming) and also leads the Peacock Foundation and Uniqueness, 2 charities that focus on disadvantaged children and young adults.
Simon Walker became Director General of the Institute of Directors in October 2011. Prior to this position he held a number of leadership positions including Chief Executive of the BVCA, the organisation that represents British private equity and venture capital, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Reuters, Communications Secretary to HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace and Director of Corporate Affairs at British Airways and a non-executive director of Comair Ltd (South Africa). From 1996-1997 Simon worked as a special adviser in the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit at 10 Downing Street.