Speaking

Forthcoming speaking engagements

Invite Peter to Speak at Your Forthcoming Event

Peter welcomes invitations to speak at events and conferences about the following topics:

  • Family Business problems and how to deal with them:
    • introducing new family members to the business
    • selection of family members
    • ‘grooming’ of family members
    • education for family members
    • the need for maturity & creativity
    • Family Councils
    • Family Governance
  • Turning Points, good and bad in the development of the business
  • Thorntons differential advantage
  • Thorntons ‘retail theatre’
  • Retailing abroad
  • Strategic Planning
  • Diversification for the mature business
  • Maximising profitability
  • Problem solving
  • Entrepreneurship
  • How not to be an Entrepreneur
  • Avoiding ‘Escalating Committment’

Previous speaking engagements have included:

To enquire about Peter speaking at your next event, please email Bruce Sachs at bruce@tomahawkpress.com. You will usually get a response within 24 hours.

Past speaking engagements

Event: West Midlands Family Business Forum, co-ordinated by the Wilson Group:

Date:Thursday 28th January 2010
Time: 5pm – 9.30pm
Location: Malmaison Hotel in Birmingham

Presentation by Peter Thornton about Family Business. John Tucker of the International Centre for Family Business will facilitate the evening.

Swindon Literary Festival
Date: Wednesday 12 May
Time: 12:30
More information: http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/12_wed.html

Peter Thornton talks about his book
Date: Thursday 13 May
Time: 7:30p.m.
Venue: The Lion Hotel, Bridge Street, Belper DE56 1AX

London Business Book Club
Date: Wednesday 23rd June
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Venue: The Slug and Lettuce, 19/20 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YR
Further information: http://lbbc10.eventbrite.com/
See the Facebook page for this event: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=134251803258324

Dartington Festival
Date: Monday 12th July
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
More information: http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk/festivals/dartington-hall-18

Presentation at the Buxton Festival
Date: Sunday 18th July 2010
Time: 3pm
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Location: The Lee Wood Hotel, The Park, Buxton, SK17 6TQ
Entry: £6

Peter Thornton, ex-chairman of one of Britain’s best-loved chocolatiers, lays bare the startling story behind the brand. From its founding in 1911, Thorntons family business was blighted by betrayal, suicide, extra-marital affairs and sibling rivalry. Against all the odds it flourished, surviving two world wars, recession, depression and the General Strike as well as frequent boardroom battles. Here Peter discusses the frank revelations made in his extraordinary new book. Success and money can come at horrible price…

Further details: http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/literature.html#peterthornton