Dr Lynch

A continuing cautionary tale of non-executives: Dr Mike Lynch, described as Britain's first internet billionaire by The Guardian at the turn of the century, is currently In temporary accommodation in San Francisco, and only allowed out to meet his lawyers.

He was handcuffed throughout his flight to the West Coast accompanied by US marshals and needs to sort out a $100m bail bond, supported by $50m in cash or shares. District Judge Charles Breyer has suggested there will still be some form of house arrest even with the bond.

Dr Lynch has been extradited to face 17 charges of fraud in the sale of his company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard - at the heart alleging forecasts of future profits were criminally exaggerated. Judge Breyer jailed Autonony's CFO on similar charges for five years back in 2018.

Dr Lynch joined an 'enhanced' BBC Executive Board as a non-exec alongside Director General Mark Thompson in 2007, just as the BBC Governors evanesced and the BBC Trust emerged. He sold Autonomy in 2011. The Trust minutes from November 2012 note the 'withdrawal of a proposal' to reappoint the Doctor for another year.