My dastardly Mr Deedes
The appointment of head-girlish Emma Walmsley, 47, as GlaxoSmithKline’s new chief executive is a blow for the drugs firm’s president of global pharmaceuticals, Abbas Hussain, who was hotly tipped for the job. Madras-born Abbas, 51, is older brother of former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain. He was once a useful right-hand batsmen, playing for Essex’s 2nd XI. Shortcomings in his game forced him to pursue a more sedate career in business. More lucrative, at least, than the lonely slog of the county cricket circuit, where players rub along on a relative pittance.
Aberdeen Asset Management boss Martin Gilbert informs Twitter he’s in Australia exploring new investment markets. No doubt an ideal opportunity to explore a few new world wines as well. Golf-loving, £4.5m-a-year Gilbert, 61, is a gregarious Scot with a camel’s thirst for chardonnay. He’s regularly found in City staple the Bow Wine Vaults hosting convivial strategy meetings which over time have nourished and shaped his magnificent nose.
The plunge in outsourcer Mitie’s share price, which sunk by a quarter this week after cutting its profit outlook, was good news for short sellers. Sir Paul Marshall’s fund Marshall Mace raked in around £1.2m. It was a tidy day’s work too for George Soros, 86, the prune-faced billionaire who made £760m betting against sterling on Black Wednesday. By my calculations, his firm SFM management will have banked just over £3m.
Having given Topshop’s catwalk show at London Fashion Week a wide berth on Sunday, there was no sign of Sir Philip Green at Burberry’s show on Monday either. He’s usually a fixture. A Burberry source informs me Green, 64, was invited but wanted to avoid questions over the BHS pension debacle. Time to write a fat cheque and be done with it? The silver-maned booby must be pining for a return among the front row fashion twiglets.
Elegant private members club 5 Hertford Street is hosting Berlin 1989 week. Each night, a mocked-up Berlin Wall is demolished while patrons are entertained by a Wagnersinging soprano and a coterie of Germanic dwarves. Says club-owner Robin Birley, 58: ‘I’ve told my doormen to keep a sharp look out for any fool turning up in a Nazi uniform. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened.’