Easing yourself in

If Robert Peston is right, (dare Theresa May gainsay him ?) Sir David Clementi, 67, will be the first chairman of the BBC (unitary) Board - a job created by Sir David Clementi's five-month review of governance options at the request of fellow-Wykehamist, John Whittingdale.

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Not averse to dressing up when the job requires (above in 2006 at a company awards ceremony for a Prudential/China joint insurance venture in Wuhan), Dave ain't going to be a laugh a minute.

From Winchester he went to Lincoln College Oxford, for PPE, athletics and football. He got his blue at 400m and 400m hurdles, winning British University titles twice. He joined Arthur Andersen to train as an accountant, and acquired an MBA at Harvard, as well as a love of baseball, indulged later on Concorde trips during his 22 years with Kleinwort Benson. At Kleinwort he advised the Government on two big privatisations - BT and electricity.  He was appointed Deputy Governor of the Bank of England in 1997, and worked on preparations for the single currency.

Over the years, he's been director of 24 companies - most of them biggies. Thus he can afford a passion for biggish yachts at Cowes (with racy names like Hot Watch of Hamble), and has built a nice little gaff down a private cul-de-sac in Wimbledon (five beds, four baths, indoor swimming pool, Portland Stone Quoins, liberal use of English and American Oak, and a weather vane on the dining room extension, "to reflect Sir David's interest in sailing"). Lady Sally likes a fund-raising hand of bridge; Sir David has given back to Winchester, where he was Warden for six years, and Senior Patron (a patron commits to £5k a year for five years); and Lincoln College, where he is an Honorary Fellow.

Other snippets about Sir Dave here.