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Who's in and who's out
Gideon Spanier, Evening Standard31 Mar 2008
The energy of London is nowhere more reflected than in the shifting balance of power among its thoughtmakers, trendsetters and leaders. Every week, Gideon Spanier looks at who's in and who's out.
NEW ON THE LIST
ART & DESIGN
NICHOLAS PENNY, 58
NATIONAL GALLERY DIRECTOR
The new boss has ruffled feathers in the art world by threatening to concentrate on lesser-known artists and move away from blockbuster exhibitions. Twice married, the Cambridge and Courtauld-educated professor has refined tastes but he got a taste of modern Americana in his previous job as a top curator in Washington. Expect more surprises at the National Gallery.
SOCIETY
TANYA BYRON, 40
PARENTING EXPERT
The doctor and TV presenter has called for tougher regulation of the internet and the ratings system for children's computer games. The proposals came after she was asked by Gordon Brown to conduct an independent review, which has been well received. Despite hosting parenting TV programmes herself, Byron criticised the genre because she felt it was in danger of exploiting children.
MAKING MOVES
SOCIETY
CARDINAL CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR, 75
ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER
The leader of Britain's four million Roman Catholics helped to win a concession from Gordon Brown in allowing Labour MPs to vote with their conscience on certain aspects of the Embryo Bill. He is friendly with the Blairs but he is also said to be close to Stephen Carter, Mr Brown's strategy supremo in the new regime at No 10.
UNDER PRESSURE
BUSINESS
WILLIE WALSH, 46
BA CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The British Airways boss presided over a public relations fiasco with the botched opening of Terminal 5. Walsh did brave the TV cameras to accept responsibility but he will have to improve T5 dramatically if he is to win back all that lost goodwill. The former Dublin choirboy is still well regarded in the City.
FINANCE
HECTOR SANTS, 52
FSA CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The FSA boss has survived despite admitting to errors over Northern Rock. He is trying to be more proactive by clamping down on malicious traders involved in short-selling on the stock market. The Treasury has given him a vote of confidence by providing him new powers to prosecute offenders and recruit whistleblowers.
UP AND COMING
PROPERTY
FAWN JAMES, 22
HEIRESS
The grand-daughter of Paul Raymond is set to inherit his £650 million empire, which includes vast tracts of Soho. Despite the family's wealth she had a tough childhood - her mother Debbie, Raymond's daughter, died from drink and drugs. She's not as reclusive as Raymond and has been seen in clubs around London.
