 
Ball, Anthony George, (Tony), MBE 1986; FCIM; FIMI; Founder, Tony Ball Associates plc, 1983; Chairman, Tony Ball Associates plc, since 1983; b 14 Nov. 1934; s of Harry Ball and Mary Irene Ball, Bridgwater; m 1957, Ruth Parry Davies (marr. diss. 1997); two s one d; m 2000, Ms Jan Kennedy. Educ: Grammar Sch., Bridgwater. Indentured engineering apprentice, Austin Motor Co., 1951-55; responsible for launch of Mini, 1959; UK Car Sales Manager, Austin Motor Co., 1962-66; Sales and Marketing Exec., British Motor Corp., 1966-67; Chm. And Man. Dir. Barlow Rand UK Motor Gp, 1967-78; Managing Director: Barlow Rand Ford, S Africa, 1971-3; Barlow Rand European Operations, 1973-1978; returned to British Leyland as Man. Dir. Overseas Trading Operations, 1978; Dep. Man. Dir, Austin Morris Ltd, 1979; Chm. and Man. Dir. British Leyland Europe & Overseas, 1979-82; Director, BL Cars Ltd (World Sales Chief, 1979-82; responsible for launch of the Austin Metro in 1980); Austin Morris Ltd; Rover Triumph Ltd; Jaguar Rover Triumph Inc. (USA); Dir. Jaguar Cars Ltd. 1979-81; Chief Exec. Henlys plc, 1981-83; Dep. Chm., Lumley Insce Gp, 1983-95; Director: Jetmaster UK, 1989-97; Theatre Agents Billy Marsh Associates, 1993-; Royal Carlton Hotel, Blackpool, 1998-; Dir., producer and stager of 'Industrial Theatre', Motivational confs, sponsorship, marketing, promotions and new product launches, 1983-. Responsible for: staging new product launches for General Motors, Vauxhall, Proton, Mercedes-Benz, Daihatsu, LDV, Pioneer-UK and Fiat; production and staging of Opening Ceremony of Rugby World Cup, Twickenham, 1991; DoH European drug abuse prevention campaign, 1992; Apptd Marketing Adviser: to Sec. of State for Energy, 1984-87; to Sec. of State for Wales, 1987-91; to SMMT for producing and promoting: British Internat. Motor Show, 1992-96; Scottish Motor Show, 1997 & 1999; to FA for producing Opening and Closing Ceremonies of European Football Championships, Wembley, 1996 and FA Cup Finals, 1996-2000; to RFU for 125th Anniversary celebrations, 1996; for 5 Nations Championship activities, Twickenham, 1997-; to Welsh RU for producing Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Rugby World Cup, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park, 1999; to ECB for producing Opening Ceremony, Cricket World Cup, Lord's, 1999; responsible for: promoting re-launch of London Zoo, 1993; creating and producing Lloyds Bank's Playwright of the Year Awards, annually 1994-. Lectr, public and after dinner speaker; TV and radio broadcasts on motoring, marketing and industrial subjects; producer, The Birth of Rugby (TV); panellist, BBC Any Questions, Mason Meml Lecture, Birmingham Univ., 1983. Governor, N Worcs Coll., 1984-91. Freeman of City of London, 1980; Liveryman: Worshipful Co. of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers, 1980; Worshipful Co. of Carmen, 1982. Fellowship of Inst. of Marketing awarded 1981, for services to Brit. Motor Industry; Hon. Mem. CGLI, awarded 1982, for services to technical and vocational educn; Prince Philip Medal, CGLI, awarded 1984, for outstanding contribution to marketing; FCGI 1999; Benedictine Business After-Dinner Speaker of the Year Award, 1992-93. Publications: (contrib.) Metro: the Book of the Car, 1981; (contrib.) Tales out of School, 1983; A Marketing Study of the Welsh Craft Industry (Welsh Office report, 1988); (contrib.) Making Better Business Presentations, 1988; (contrib.)Men and Motors of "The Austin," 2000; contribs to numerous industrial, management and marketing books and jls. Patron, The Wordsworth Trust 2005-; President, The Austin Ex-Apprentices Association 2006-; Vice Chairman, Fellowship of the Motor Industry 2007-; Recreations: theatre, British military history, sharing good humour. Address: Billy Marsh Associates, 76a Grove End Road, St Johns Wood, London, NW8 9ND. T: (020) 7449 6930; Silverhowe, Red Bank Road, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9PX. Club: Lord's Taverners. |
