The dastardly Mr Deedes

Bank of England governor Mark Carney interviews Jeremy Paxman in front of an audience at Threadneedle Street next week. After all those years Paxo, 67, spent duffing up public servants, it would be nice to think Carney, 52, might bowl his guest a few googlies about his tangled home life. But it’s a private event for Bank of England staff, so a mutual love-in between these two preening popinjays seems more likely.

Glam White Company founder Chrissie Rucker, 49, and her suave husband Nicholas Wheeler, 52, who owns shirt maker Charles Tyrwhitt, were awarded OBEs in the New Year’s honours. Who’s richer? Impossible to say. Their companies are funnelled through investment firm Bectin, though their joint worth is put at £427m. Which makes them considerably richer, not to say more socially palatable, than the gaudy Beckhams.

Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson’s decision to close the Kensington Roof Gardens after 37 years was doubtless made with a heavy heart. He’s rammed the venue full of celebrities over the years by hosting raucous parties. Friends says Beardie, 67, will particularly miss the pre-Wimbledon tennis bash, which afforded him the chance to swap backhand techniques with the tournament’s female hotties.

Former Treasury Minister and ex-Goldman Sachs economist Lord O’Neill, 60, who quit his Government role after Theresa May entered Downing Street, says of former colleagues: ‘They are clueless, sadly.’ A bit much, surely. Perhaps Jim’s sourness masks a yearning to return to government. His House of Lords register of interests indicates no discernible employment at present.

Panmure Gordon market commentator David Buik’s early-morning musings on financial matters are a must-read. Now, after more than 55 years in finance, he will put down his quill at the end of this month. Among a sea of oiks, spivs and swindlers, the immaculately attired Buik, 73, is one of the Square Mile’s true gents. Here’s wishing him a long and highly bibulous retirement.