David Kendall
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Retired bank manager from York and one of the ‘original’ after dinner speakers
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Yorkshire born & bred, his northern roots are evident in the warmth of his style
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Joined Barclays in 1965 and rose to become the York University Branch Manager
David Kendall joined Barclays Bank in 1965, but quit in 1990 because he no longer liked the way the job had changed, with less discretion over customers' accounts and new rivalry with old friends at the building societies.
With more than a decade till retirement and receiving his bank pension, David decided to make his living from public speaking instead. After all, he'd been performing in front of strangers for years – as a choirboy, in a skiffle band, and giving talks at the local law society.
During his time in the choir David sang at many important occasions and thoroughly enjoyed performing in such a magnificent building as York Cathedral, and this most probably set the foundations for his future career. After his voice broke, David continued his education at St Peters School, York (the school which Guy Fawkes also attended many years previous – and to this day the pupils do not celebrate Bonfire Night as it is deemed inappropriate to burn old boys!)
David Kendall commenced his career in a Chartered Accountants' office in the city and his interest in music was furthered by playing piano and guitar in a local Dance Band and later in a Cabaret Group in the early 1960's. In 1965 he entered Barclays Bank and rose to become the Manager of the York University Branch at Heslington in 1985.
Having severed his connections with entertainment during his years with the bank, David was tempted back into the limelight, by being invited to compere sportsmen's dinners organised by York City Football Club. At that time David had no idea that this would lead him into a full time career as an after dinner speaker.
In the late 1980s banking changed considerably, and David having enjoyed his banking career found he was not enjoying the attendant stress. At the same time the number of invitations for him to speak at functions increased with the result that in 1990 David took the big decision to leave the Bank.
David Kendall is now in-demand as an after dinner speaker and is known on the circuit as ‘The Bank Manager from York'. Although David's new career sounds a far cry from banking days, he is able to draw on his past musical, educational and fiscal experiences to deliver first class professional and entertaining speeches.
Yorkshire born and bred, and proud of it, David Kendall’s northern roots are evident in the warmth of his style. Observations are relative to his background and are presented with his typical warmth and impeccable delivery.
Over the years David has been asked to speak at functions across the whole of Europe — from Rotterdam to Rotherham and Denby Dale to Dublin - not to mention the Grosvenor House, The Savoy and the Cafe Royale — where his cheerful manner and infectious laugh have brightened many a top table.
The majority of functions he attends are for corporate bodies but he does also speak to many sporting organisations.
His speeches are clean, very funny and entertaining — prompting the Newcastle Journal to remark after one dinner:
“Messrs A and B were entertaining but they were overshadowed by the ex-Bank Manager from York, David Kendall, who took the art of after dinner speaking into new realms of excellence”.
I just wanted to send you a note to say a very big thank you on behalf of the awards team for speaking at the ne cheshire awards ceremony last night. We've had some excellent feedback following the event but the most echoed is 'what a fantastic after dinner speaker-very funny!' you have helped us to accomplish one of the most memorable events in the ne cheshire business awards history.
Once again can I thank you whole-heartedly for a fantastic 30 minutes of entertainment you gave us on Friday night... I don't think I've ever been to a dinner (and I've been to a lot) where the audience was so engaged and in raptures as they were on Friday. I've received numerous e-mails from others who attended and all saying much the same thing.
Very many thanks for your excellent after dinner speech on Saturday at the Merchant Taylors Hall. Everybody, but everybody, said how much they enjoyed your 'session' which they considered had been a wonderful way of rounding off the evening. May I personally thank you for your company on the top table, throughout the evening.
This is just to tell you how much we all enjoyed having you at our suppliers' golf day at the Forest of Arden last Wednesday. It was exactly the right tone and I was thrilled to see so many of our guests having a good old chuckle. Lovely to meet you and I couldn't have wished for a better dinner companion.
Many thanks for being our guest speaker on Friday night. I thought that you did a wonderful job and the speech went down really well — just right for our society. Thank you also for your enjoyable company during the meal which helped to take my mind off my own nerves! Everyone I spoke to after the meal told me that they really enjoyed the evening. Thank you once again.
Thank you for your excellent speech at our conference dinner in Bristol - you had them rolling in the aisles - well done.
You were not wrong about David Kendall, he was fantastic. Before, during and after dinner, he entertained everyone with good, clean, clever fun. The dinner itself also went well but in writing to you, I would ask that you pass on my heartfelt thanks to David for making the evening extra special.
On behalf of the members and guests I would like to thank you sincerely for your enthusiastic performance last Friday night. Judging from the number of eyes that needed drying, your humour was both appreciated and well received.
How to book David Kendall for your event
To book David Kendall, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.
Former Artistic Director of Agatha Christie's The Mouse Trap
"One of Britain's funniest after dinner comedians" - Variety Magazine
Consultant surgeon and Honorary Editor of the Royal Society of Medicine
Former Governor of Scotland's Barlinnie Prison
The man from the coal board
