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Who's in and who's out
Gideon Spanier, Evening Standard11 Aug 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.
MAKING MOVES
TV & RADIO JEREMY CLARKSON, 48
TV PRESENTER
The Top Gear host has signed what is being hailed as an "unprecedented" business relationship with BBC Worldwide, the Beeb's commercial arm. Clarkson's motoring programme is one of the corporation's most lucrative exports, sold to more than 100 countries. Some viewers don't care for the politically incorrect Clarkson but this deal, which gives him a share of the profits, is proof that the talent on TV now wields greater influence, so broadcasters are having to cut their deals accordingly.
ONE TO WATCH
RUNNING LONDON
HARVEY MCGRATH, 56
CHAIRMAN, LONDON DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
The former chairman of fund manager Man Group has been confirmed in the role of chairman of the LDA, which has been under scrutiny since the Lee Jasper controversy when it was accused of handing out money not properly accounted for. McGrath, who was first appointed by Mayor Boris Johnson on an interim basis, has already helped to conduct a forensic analysis of the agency's accounts - and now has been confirmed in the post.
ON THE UP
SPORT
KEVIN PIETERSEN, 27
ENGLAND CRICKET CAPTAIN
He has as taken over as skipper from the weeping Michael Vaughan. South Africa's loss has been this country's huge gain. Born in Natal but with an English mother, Pietersen looked in our direction because he believed a policy of positive discrimination in the republic was hampering his cricket career. Some here still believe he should not be playing for England but his Ashes-clinching innings of 158 at The Oval in 2005 convinced most of the doubters. An even bigger name now than Andrew Flintoff.
UP AND COMING
MUSIC
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL, 27
CONDUCTOR
He is not resident in Britain and has no official position, but this Venezuelan wunderkind conductor has changed the musical world with his Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra. There are copycat ensembles springing up everywhere here and "El Sistema" - a method of training young musicians of which he is a product - has entered the language. Music fans are already salivating about Dudamel's residency at the Southbank Centre next year.
NEW MEDIA
JOANNA SHIELDS, 46
BEBO PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL
Boss of UK social networking website that was bought by AOL earlier this year. Shields is pioneering TV dramas on the web after the success of Bafta-nominated Kate Modern. The latest production is called The Secret World Of Sam King and is largely funded by big-name sponsors from mobile phone and technology companies. This innovative way of making TV shows on the cheap for a youth audience is getting advertisers excited and putting pressure on traditional broadcasters.
UNDER PRESSURE
POLITICS
ALISTAIR DARLING, 54
CHANCELLOR
The Chancellor was running the country last week during Gordon Brown's holiday but continued to suffer a torrid time. A suggestion that stamp duty could be suspended to boost the housing market caused trouble as estate agents complained it could result in sales being put on hold. All the signs are that household inflation is not under control and the economy is heading for the rocks. No wonder some think father-of-two Darling could be changing jobs in the imminent Cabinet reshuffle.
