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Who's in and who's out

Gideon Spanier, Evening Standard
15 Sep 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 LIST

SPORT
THEO WALCOTT, 19
ARSENAL STRIKER

Under the careful tutelage of manager Arsene Wenger the much-hyped teenager finally looks to be cracking the big time. Rewrote the record books as the youngest England player to score a hat-trick in a competitive game against Croatia last week. What a prospect for Arsenal and, in a team full of foreign stars, a great inspiration for aspiring homegrown football talent.

MAKING MOVES

RUNNING LONDON
SIR SIMON MILTON, 46
DEPUTY MAYOR AND MAYORAL CHIEF OF STAFF

Battle-hardened by years running Westminster Council, Sir Simon has emerged as the second most powerful figure in City Hall after the abrupt departure of fellow deputy Tim Parker, a political novice. Now Sir Simon has adopted the new title of Boris Johnson's chief of staff, in addition to his key role overseeing planning policy - he is against too many tall buildings. A canny operator.

ART & DESIGN
DARIA ZHUKOVA, 27
ART PATRON

Everyone knows her as the other half of Roman Abramovich and, thanks to his wealth, she has become an influential art patron. Showed her clout by co-hosting the Serpentine annual party and has been keen to enter the American market. The New York Times has dubbed her "the art world's It-girl".

UNDER PRESSURE

SPORT
TREVOR EAST, 57
SETANTA UK, SPORT DIRECTOR

Boss of upstart satellite TV firm Setanta who won rights to cover England internationals but has been criticised for demanding high fees for terrestrial channels to show the highlights - prompting fans to chant "We hate Setanta". Mr East also masterminded the £392 million deal to show one third of live Premiership matches over the next three years. Nicknamed "East the Beast" as a disc jockey in Derby in the Sixties.

POLITICS
ED BALLS, 41
SCHOOLS SECRETARY

Raising his profile as a contender to succeed his old mentor, Gordon Brown. Balls has made a big show of sorting out the Sats fiasco (exams for seven-year-olds may be scrapped) and childhood obesity (wooing Middle England with recipe ideas on TV). Mr Balls, who served as economics adviser to Mr Brown, must be grateful to have been out of the Treasury for the past year. But will he take the Chancellor's job?

UP AND COMING

TOBY BOURNE, 37
HEAD OF FICTION, WATERSTONE'S

The man responsible for the deal to bring Sony's electronic book, the eReader, to the UK. Bourne's move, with Sony, effectively steals a march on industry giant Amazon, which is yet to unveil plans for its Kindle reader's European debut. Early reaction to the eReader has been positive. Bourne has previously overseen the Harry Potter launches for Waterstone's.

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These last 2 are in the wrong jobs - Ed Balls should be working in McDonalds & an educated and erudite man like Toby Bourne should be in his place. Bourne for Education Secretary now!!!

- Phil, Leeds, 07/10/2008 11:41
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