Lunch guests at top PR man David Burnside’s firm, New Century, usually tuck in under the gaze of a bust of Lady Thatcher
Lunch guests at top PR man David Burnside’s firm, New Century, usually tuck in under the hawk-like gaze of a bust of Lady Thatcher.
Recent visitors have clocked that the imposing statue is conspicuous by its absence. Had Mrs T been sent off for a clean and polish, perhaps?
Not exactly. Burnside, a former director of public affairs at British Airways, moved the sculpture of his heroine to a less conspicuous part of the office due to the pre-Election sensitivities of some clients.
The Ulsterman remains a devotee of the Iron Lady. Although, in his eyes, she made mistakes such as the Anglo-Irish agreement, she was a great political leader.
‘We have friends across all political parties but she was one of the 20th century’s greats,’ he says.
One hopes the bust, by Antony Dufort, the same sculptor who created the bronze statue in the Palace of Westminster, will soon be restored to its rightful place.
Bailey’s biscuits under fire
Andrew Bailey’s taste in biscuits is causing some upset. Journalists at the BoE interest rates briefing were perturbed that Jammie Dodgers weren’t on offer.
They are served fresh at the ambassador’s residence in Washington at IMF meetings.
For now, those visiting Threadneedle Street must make do with the governor’s preferred snacks: packets of Walker’s biscuits.
The Bridgerton effect
Anyone who is anyone in London residential property rocked up to the Lonres party in Belgrave Square gardens this week. The talk was of the Bridgerton effect.
Wealthy Americans came in search of homes with handsome architecture and heritage. A real-life Netflix star, Daniel Daggers, was there.
His Buying London show which focuses on upscale properties has been a hit in 55 countries. The show is the guilty secret watch of many property professionals, who might not admit that they are learning from Daggers’s selling methods!
Unilever deo victory
Unilever inhaled the sweet smell of victory last week in its battle with an upstart deodorant brand called Fussy.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Fussy was taking the mick out of Unilever’s famous Lynx brand in ads it posted on social media.
Fussy – which makes natural, vegan and refillable products – mocked up a deodorant product in Lynx’s typical packaging that it said was called ‘Mynx’.
Boss Matt Kennedy then suggested that Fussy should make a refillable version of the UK’s ‘most unwanted’ Christmas giftpack.
The ASA said Fussy had suggested Lynx sprays were of ‘little value’.
Contributors: Ruth Sunderland, John-Paul Ford Rojash and Anne Ashworth