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Lunch guests at New Century, the firm of leading PR man David Burnside, usually cocoon themselves under the gaze of a bust of Lady Thatcher.
Lunch guests at New Century, the firm of top PR man David Burnside, usually cocoon themselves under the hawkish gaze of a bust of Lady Thatcher.
Recent visitors have noted that the imposing statue is conspicuous by its absence. Maybe they had sent Mrs. T to clean and polish?
Not quite. Burnside, former director of public affairs at British Airways, moved his heroine sculpture to a less visible 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, he made mistakes such as the Anglo-Irish agreement, he was a great political leader.
“We have friends from all political parties, but she was one of the greats of the 20th century,” he says.
The bust, by Antony Dufort, the same sculptor who created the bronze statue in the Palace of Westminster, is expected to soon be restored to its rightful place.
Bailey’s cookies under fire
Andrew Bailey’s taste for cookies is causing some discomfort. Journalists attending the Bank of England’s interest rate briefing were concerned because the Jammie Dodgers were not on sale.
They are served fresh at the ambassador’s residence in Washington during IMF meetings.
For now, visitors to Threadneedle Street must make do with the governor’s snack of choice: packets of Walker’s cookies.
The Bridgerton Effect
Anyone who is anyone in London residential properties attended the Lonres party in Belgrave Square Gardens this week. There was talk of the Bridgerton effect.
Wealthy Americans came looking for homes with beautiful architecture and heritage. There was a real-life Netflix star, Daniel Daggers.
Its Buying London programme, which focuses on luxury properties, has been a success in 55 countries. The program is the guilty secret watch of many real estate professionals, who may not admit that they are learning from Daggers’ sales methods!
unilever deo victory
Unilever inhaled the sweet smell of victory last week in its battle with a new deodorant brand called Fussy.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Fussy was criticizing Unilever’s famous Lynx brand in ads he ran on social media.
Fussy, which makes natural, vegan and refillable products, mocked a deodorant product in typical Lynx packaging that it said was called ‘Mynx.’
Boss Matt Kennedy then suggested Fussy should make a refillable version of the UK’s “most wanted” Christmas gift pack.
The ASA said Fussy had suggested Lynx sprays were of “little value”.
Contributors: Ruth Sunderland, John-Paul Ford Rojash and Anne Ashworth