Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach

Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach (born 27 December 1941), is a British Conservative politician.

The Right Honourable The Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit
In office 1985–1990
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	John Redwood
Succeeded by	Sarah Hogg
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 February 1991 Life peerage
Personal details
Born	27 December 1941
Nationality	British
Education	Dynevor School, Swansea London School of Economics
Occupation	Politician, banker

Biography

Early life

Brian Griffiths was born on 27 December 1941. He was educated Dynevor School, Swansea, and the London School of Economics.

Career

He was an Adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1986, while Dean of the City University Business School, he resigned his chair to become her chief policy adviser.[1]

He was created a life peer as Baron Griffiths, of Fforestfach in the County of West Glamorgan on 5 February 1991.[2]

He was Chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies from 1991 to 2001. He served on the Board of Directors of the Conservative Christian Fellowship from 2000 to 2002. He was a member of the European Union Sub-Committee F (Social Affairs, Education and Home Affairs) from 1999 to 2003 and the Religious Offences Committee from 2002 to 2003. He is a Vice-President of the Nature in Art Trust.[3]

He serves as Vice-Chairman of Goldman Sachs International. He said he was “not ashamed” of the bank's compensation plans. He also said the issue of banking compensation should not be thought about solely from a short-term perspective. He defended the bank's bonuses, Griffiths said the general public should “tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity for all”, saying also that “we should not ... be ashamed of offering compensation in an internationally competitive market which ensures the bank businesses here and employs British people”.[4]

1MDB Scandal

In August 2019 Griffiths was criminally charged with defrauding the Malaysian government for his alleged role in the 1MDB scandal.[5] If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail.[6]

References

1. "A history of City University London".
2. "No. 52444". The London Gazette. 8 February 1991. p. 2061.
3. "Nature in Art - Trust". Nature in Art Trust. Archived from the original on 9 May 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
4. James Quinn and James Hall, "Goldman Sachs vice-chairman says: 'Learn to tolerate inequality'", The Telegraph, 21 October 2009.
5. "Malaysia charges Goldman Sachs executives over 1MDB scandal". Financial Times. 9 August 2019.
6. "1MDB: AGC files additional charges against 17 individuals". Bernama. 9 August 2019.

Arms

Coat of arms of Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach

Adopted 2007 Coronet Coronet of a Baron Crest Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Vert a Bear sejant erect Gules holding in the dexter forepaw a Leek proper Escutcheon Paly of four Vert and Argent per fess enhanced indented of two points upwards each point double barbed throughout issuing in base a pile double barbed throughout all counterchanged Supporters On either side statant upon a Stack of two closed Books Vert garnished Or a Male Gryphon reguardant Gules beaked forelegged and rayed Or Motto OFN YR ARGLWYDD Y DYW DOETHINEB Symbolism Green and white are the ancient Welsh livery colours. The paly formation is arranged to suggest spruce clad mountains and hence an allusion to Fforestfach which means ‘fair forest'. Further puns are provided by the bear for Brian and the gryphons for Griffiths.

External links

• Profile on the UK Parliament Webpage
• Brian Griffiths at millbanksystems.com