Week Ending: SHB’s secret pleasure; Lord Lamont at large & more
Who knew that Big Four accountancy firm KPMG would show a light-hearted side?
Alongside the FT and other daily papers on the coffee tables in its plush new Manchester HQ were several copies of the classic children’s comic The Beano.
Week Ending was amused and somewhat astonished to see one leading figure’s reaction.
During a coffee break at a debate on regional infrastructure and devolution Sir Howard Benstein, Manchester City Council’s chief executive, was thrilled to see the much loved comic, guffawing with delight at the antics of Dennis the Menace et al.
“I didn’t know they still published it – fantastic, ” he enthused, before adding: “Any organisation that has the Beano has gone up in my estimation.”
::
THE visit of former Chancellor Norman Lamont to the North West this week underlines how perceptions of our leading politicians can change over time.
The 72-year-old was in jocular and engaging mood when he arrived at the University of Bolton, to address a packed lecture theatre on Britain and the EU.
The Peer was happy to “do the room” introducing himself to local business leaders and academics before delivering an – at times – light-hearted speech on the “vexed question” of UK’s continued EU membership.
He was introduced as the man who served as a cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major in a 25-year career in the House of Commons, a renown Euro-sceptic, who famously steered Britain’s exit from the ERM and was the government’s chief negotiator which secured the opt out for the Maastrict Treaty which secured Britain’s non participation in the euro.
Delighted at securing such a political heavyweight to address them, his hosts heaped gushing praise on him during the introduction. The grinning peer responded with: “Having heard those opening remarks, I can hardly wait to hear myself speak.” It brought the house down.
::
OLD habits die hard it seems for esteemed Liverpool lawyer Andrew Holroyd as his firm, Jackson Canter, opened an office in Manchester.
Holroyd, chief executive of the campaigning firm, was doing so well in his speech to guests at the new office at Piccadilly, when he unfortunately said: “We are so pleased to be investing in the Liverpool business community”.
Despite the good natured jeers from the mostly Mancunian audience, a red-faced Holroyd was able to recover the situation in admirable fashion and a good evening was had by all.
