The Steeple Times features in The Sunday Telegraph
Yesterday, we received our first mainstream press mention with a feature in The Sunday Telegraph’s “Dashwood” column.
The Sunday Telegraph’s “Dashwood” features The Steeple TimesAnna White’s article
Anna White picked up on a comment on Gina Miller’s open letter to our title from the chef and personality Antony Worrall Thompson and since we’ve also received similar messages from fellow restaurateurs Peter Burrell, Rex Leyland and Michael Proudlock.
Plainly restaurateurs have more to say about the banking scandal than the bankers themselves. I salute them, Gina Miller and The Sunday Telegraph.
Today, Bob Diamond finally bit the dust and resigned as chief executive of Barclays in a dramatic move designed to save the bank from further embarrassment in the wake of their having being fined a record £290 million last week for attempting to manipulate the interbank lending rate, Libor, between 2005 and 2009.
Bob Diamond, centre, with John Varley and Marcus Agius
Of his decision, Diamond commented:
“No decision over that period was as hard as the one that I make now to stand down as chief executive. The external pressure placed on Barclays has reached a level that risks damaging the franchise – I cannot let that happen.”
Meanwhile, George Osborne MP added:
“We now have an opportunity to fix what went wrong and move on.”
The Chancellor’s attempts to sweep this scandal under the carpet illustrate how out of touch he is with public opinion on this subject and Gina Miller, founder of the True and Fair campaign, raises a far more valid point in her statement on the affair:
“Bob Diamond’s departure and the Libor scandal shows lack of oversight, accountability and regulation in the City. Current industry self-regulation, overseen by the FSA, has been widely abused by the financial services industry and has failed to protect consumers or provide a level-playing field for the more responsible financial services companies.”
With an inquiry looming next into professional standards in banking, one has to wonder which other heads will roll next. As someone said to me in a Facebook message this morning: “Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank; Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.”
“The Steeple Times” quizzes leading philanthropist Gina Miller about what’s on her mantelpiece
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
Life is short, so don’t live in regret.
“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
The three C’s – compassion, common sense and confidence are far more valuable than three A’s.
Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012?
Human traffickers.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Sleep. What might you swap all your wealth for?
Knowing my children will be happy.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Honestly, I really mean it”: Implies they are lying the rest of the time.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity begins at home and should be a fundamental value in all our families and societies. It is about the small actions, consideration and kindnesses we undertake every day, not the big gestures we make once in a while. If we all did this, the ripple effect would be enormous and would heal many of society’s ills.
Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?
Yes, I was mistakenly identified as a local in Egypt and arrested for being improperly attired.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My children, my husband, Oscar Wilde and the archaeologist Howard Carter.
Gina Miller
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A tin of caviar and a teaspoon; in a garden full of scented roses and wild flowers (maybe I could use the teaspoon to tunnel my way out!).
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Whatever time you fancy, as it’s always the ‘right time’ somewhere on the globe.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those with great drink, great food, great music and lovely people – on a balmy beach. Idyllic.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My daughter who has special needs – she is not socialised or limited by academic thinking. She is a true free thinker with genuine EQ.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Caviar.
What was the first bone that you broke?
Knee. If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Women don’t smoke cigars!
If you were a car, what marquee would you be?
Morgan. Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I was a free climber before I destroyed my thumbs which are very arthritic – the higher and more testing the better. All started when I was a tomboy and thought I was a superhero. I have climbed on all 6 continents and still think I can fly.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
An invite to a gorgeous girl’s wedding and a sculpture of a lady welded together from car nuts and bolts produced by some supposed lost youths who were engaged in car theft but who are now successful engaged in a mechanic apprenticeship scheme we set up in Redditch.
The nephew of That’s Life!’s Esther Rantzen is a financial titan and philanthropist. Miller is a founding partner and CIO of SCM Private, a Sloane Street based wealth management firm, but he’s best known for his successes at New Star Asset Management, Jupiter Asset Management and Gartmore Invetment Management. Here is a man of principle who has also run the London Marathon twice and the New York Marathon thrice.
This modern day suffragette is a philanthropist and founding partner of SCM Private, a Belgravia based firm of wealth managers. Gina Miller has three degrees, is originally from Guyana, South America and is leading a fight against the conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in the city and charities. With her husband, Alan, she was a major contributor to the Lady Thatcher Infirmary at the Royal Hospital. Her Miller Philanthropy foundation and Goodwill Exchange volunteer exchange are just two examples of the achievements of this truly powerful and driven giver.
