City profiles

Sanjeev Gupta

Thousands of steelworkers employed by Sanjeev Gupta’s companies face an “uncertain future” after the collapse of their main lender, Greensill, said the FT. But the steel magnate is still living “the high life”. Gupta, who has not stepped on British soil since the Serious Fraud Office opened a probe into the affair, has been enjoying “the dying days of summer” on Mykonos. He recently threw a “multi-day” 50th birthday party on the Greek island, ferrying guests to and from festivities by helicopter. Gupta’s GFG Alliance has more than $5bn in outstanding debt that needs to be refinanced. Those involved in negotiations say he seems unfazed. “‘Cocky’ is probably the right word”, says one. “Some members of his circle privately wonder how long the party can last.”

Euan Blair

Euan Blair once admitted that his ancient history degree from Bristol had “taught him nothing” – an embarrassing revelation from the son of Tony Blair, who, as PM, vowed to get half of the UK’s young adults to university. Blair Jnr has gone on to make a fortune by “ignoring” his father’s education policy, said the London Evening Standard. In a recent funding round, his company Multiverse, which “matches young people with apprenticeships” at companies including Google and Morgan Stanley, was valued at almost £650m. He has, at 37, amassed personal wealth dwarfing his father’s. Multiverse has been praised for “prioritising social mobility”. Still, as Blair observes, apprenticeships have also recently begun to pass “the middle-class dinner party test”.