User talk:Lynn Hill
Stevenson
Most of these points just need a source and the sourcing is mostly availabe in the docs I will send which you can search by keyword...
The "Corporate advisor" section
- Previously advisor and/or member of: Consigna plc, British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (supposedly Murdoch was reluctantly persuaded to accept him as an independent director and recruitment head of BSkyB (Sunday Business 2/5/99)***
- Lynn's note - Murdoch may have been reluctant but the bit in the article doesn't express this directly. It says:
- 'Pearson happened to be a major shareholder in BSkyB but Stevenson got his directorship of Rupert Murdoch's television company entirely independently. Pearson had two representatives on the Sky board: Goldman Sachs' John Thornton persuaded Murdoch to accept Stevenson as an independent director'. I've reworded the article accordingly.
This Murdoch "supposedly" thing mention needs a reference.
- (Stevenson got this directorship because of Pearson's shareholding in the bank, the Halifax is a Lazard client, but Stevenson was chosen because it was also a client of his SRU)***
These statements--that S. got the directorship because of Pearson's shareholding in the bank, and the reason why S. was chosen being that the Halifax(?) was also a client of SRU--need to be supported - Done.
- (Margaret Thatcher supposedly vetoed his appointment to the Tate but Tim Bell interceded on his behalf),***
source? need to support these 2 statements - Done
The "New Labour connections" section
- Having personally funded the 'Stevenson Commission',***
source? Lynn's note still searching. what I also found which is worthy of inclusion (& investigation re 2nd quote) -
- Tony Blair, a personal friend, set up the Stevenson Commission for him to examine the role of IT in schools and was so impressed that he has since appointed him as his adviser on the application of IT to education[1]
also Stevenson 1001/1500 page 440 states 'the only way anyone will become a Lords legislator, whether on the party or non-party ticket, will be by grace and favour of the Stevenson commission'. & 'The Stevenson commission is proposed as the model by which a democratic parliament can be avoided. '
is this the same Stevenson Commission I wonder? and if so how do the statements link? More investigation seems appropriate
- This quickly went on the road to privatisation***
I assume "This" means the info tech in schools? might be good to clarify for tired journos Lynn's note Looks like this refers to the BBC being blocked in providing the service for free, thus it remained in the realms of private industry. But it looks like the BBC was given approval (DCMS BBC's application for Digital Curriculum), so still not sure what this means.
- SRU and Lexington Communications (a Labour-connected lobbyist firm started with money from Stevenson, who is a shareholder) got together an anti-BBC alliance to attack their free digital plans.***
source? Lynn's note - unable to locate Lexington Comms connection.
Lynn cont. Source re Stevenson co-founded SRU (but nothing about funding it) Reference - Hirst, C. (2002) 'Telecoms Media Technology: Why the pink queen might turn deep red'. The Independent. 28th July 2002. Accessed 27th September 2008. will see what else I can find before altering page.
Lynn cont. Co founded SRU with Peter Wallis (aka Peter York) borrowed 12,000 for start up costs - reference- PATRICK HOSKING. Profile: Master of the low profile; Dennis Stevenson's dazzling ca-reer may soon land him atop GPA. Patrick Hosking reports. The Independent. 5th September 1993. This article implies that he is a shareholder but it isn't explicit. Unable to locate any info explicitly stating him as a shareholder.
I've spend quite a lot of time looking into these bits and feel that I could spend a great deal of more time trying to locate the info. I'll move on to the other areas and come back to it later/ or you can let me know how you'd like me to continue.
- a committee comprising of financially interested companies***
source? can we back this up? Done
- He has been given a honourable role in the affair***
not sure what this means in this context. clarify? Done
- Stevenson forged the deal between the Labour party and BT (Independent 27/9/96)Done. He was supposedly 'recruited' by Blair in 96 "after an approach by Peter Mandelson... who Stevenson met years ago when both were involved in youth movements." (Sunday Times 20/10/96)***Lynn's note can't see this in the paper for that date. Also sentences preceeding these statements need sources. Will explore further.
I applaud giving refs like this in the body text, but do we get a 'go-to' ref as well, so that people can consult it online? This is probably what you meant, David, by putting in refs.
- Indeed their connections go right back to the British Youth Council.***
source? Lynn's note unable to locate source, nothing in the info sent and a quick google search didn't come up with anything. will investigate further.
- Lynn's note - re para 2 in labour links - Sunday Times 20/10/1996 reference, info quoted not found in the source listed.
The "More New Labour links" section
- and has provided a great deal of Mandelson connections***
clarify--not sure what this means Lynn's note unable to locate the source given.
- Stevenson also pushed through the government's lunatic arts policy (Evening Standard 30/6/98)***
have to define why it is lunatic--convince us! Lynn's note This info is not to be found in the source given (nor is the rest of the info in this paragraph).
"Current directorships" section
- In March 2005 the Aberdeen Press and Journal reported that Stevenson was £538,000.***
word missing--worth? or paid? Lynn's note This had already been changed in the page. Ref is still needed, unable to locate it so far.
- some further info to add - Register of Lords interests.
also Call to sack HBOS directors: Top economist slams ‘folly’ of bank’s board members
note to self
- Blow to SFO as probe collapses By Megan Murphy, Law Courts Correspondent Published: July 11 2008
Nexis Lexis -Chinn up to page 474 to be continued
- Some Israeli PR connections here [1]
- add other British-Jewry influencers from JC top list
Some stuff to come back to later
- have a look at and add aurora they share name with Aurora Russia Ltd, coincidence?
- still to add my pics for Catchpell House and related firms. Then visit Ocean drive for more pics. Recheck the PR firm listed at Sirius's address and take pic of Leith Agency boat. Google maps.
- finish Cello Plc page (still to add clients for MRUK & tidy up). Then add to the link pages.
- add to the linked pages for Crossan Communications, the Leith Agency.
- finish going through Pfizer Lobbying firm connections (also GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company) then continue adding lobbying/donations info for pharma firms.
- Add details listed in Glover Park Group talk page
- Public Relations Organisation International lists clients for their affiliated companies - go through them.
- revolving door info (remember to check refs) http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/politics/revolvingdoor.html
- add pharma details from http://www.opensecrets.org http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/index.asp http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/overview.asp?txtindextype=l http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/search.asp
- might be worth doing a Spinprofiles search for Pharma firms not started yet and joining the dots so to speak...
Useful links
Businessweek lists board member affiliations... check this out further for others, may prove a useful resource elsewhere. http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/people/relationship.asp?personId=598067&capId=154924&previousCapId=139677&previousTitle=Johnson%20%26%20Johnson
- Category list is here: http://www.spinprofiles.org/index.php/Special:Categories
- creating new pages: http://www.spinprofiles.org/index.php/Article_Submission
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- ↑ Cowing, E. & Jamieson, A. (2001) 'NEW CHAIRMAN: BUSY BLUE BLOOD'. The Scotsman 5th May 2001