The dastardly Mr Deedes

Has dishevelled Ineos billionaire Jim ratcliffe got any savings earmarked at fashion brand Belstaff, which he snapped up yesterday for an undisclosed fee from JAB holding? I ask because the store’s 26,000 square foot, four-storey premises in New Bond Street costs a staggering £3m ayear to rent. New business rates mean he’ll be also be paying £1.4m on the property in 2019. Not sure I can see hard-nosed ratcliffe, 65, putting up with that for long.

The Financial Conduct Authority announces via a press release it has set a target of 45pc of its senior leadership team ‘identifying as a female’ by 2020. ‘Identifying as female?’ How the FCA’s cerebral, sober-headed boss Andrew Bailey, 58, must wince at putting his name to this rubbish.

Skinheaded roger Burnley’s appointment as chief executive of struggling grocer Asda when Sean Clarke departs in January is the second time lucky for the former Sainsbury’s director. Most of us expected him to succeed previous boss Andy Clarke ( no relation) last July. Bungling Andy’s public anointment of Burnley as his successor proved an embarrassing kiss of death.

Reports that former investment banker Jay Powell, 64, will likely be named Donald Trump’s next chairman of the Federal Reserve tomorrow prompts speculation about the President’s economic advisor Gary Cohn’s future. Off his oats from working in Trump’s White House, the ex-Goldman Sachs number two, 57, is thought to have coveted the job as an elegant escape route. Many expect him to depart with his tail between his legs once his tax reforms are passed.

It’s London Metal exchange week, the industry’s annual get-together involving five days of herculean-levels of alcohol consumption. London Metal exchange traders have been responsible for some of the City’s more outrageous exploits down the years. during one particularly raucous LMe week, a brokerage business were ferried between parties in a white limousine staffed by lap dancers and dwarves serving champagne.