Trevor Chinn

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On July 24th 2007, TheGuardian announced the 72nd birthday of Trevor Chinn[1].

In 2008, Chinn is reported as living in Knightsbridge with his wife Susan. He has two sons — David (aged 41) who is a partner at McKinsey management consultancy in Israel and Simon (aged 39) who is a TV and film producer. Chinn works from his West London offices which overlooks Hyde Park[2].

In November 2003 Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon gave a speech to the United Jewish Israel Appeal. In his speech he declared that he is a 'strong supporter' of Labour Friends of Israel and a good friend of Trevor Chinn[3].


Affiliations

  • Israel-Britain Business Council (IBBC) - Council Co-Chairman[4]
  • Chinn is President of Norwood Children and Families Trust[5]
  • United Jewish Israel Appeal, President
  • Labour Friends of Israel - Chinn is reported to be a member of the LFI who has also donated a 'six figure sum' to the Labour Party[6].
  • Jewish Community Centre - Board member[7].
  • Tel Aviv University - Board of Governors member[8].
  • Aurora Russia Ltd - Chairman[9]
  • Aurora Investment Advisors Limited (AIAL) Chinn is reported to have created a trust which holds 10% of the non-voting preference shares in AIAL. He is reported to hold 'no interest'[10].
  • Lex Services - Chairman. In this role Chinn oversaw the acquisition of RAC[11]. Chinn retired from this position in 2003[12]. Chinn became managing director of his father's company Lex Garages in 1968[13]
  • Harrison - Chief Executive of Easyjet. Chinn is reported to have been a mentor for Harrison and to have helped him 'enormously' in his career[14].
  • Itis Holdings - Chairman. Itis produces road pricing technology and has contracts with Transport for London and 'several local authorities'. Former transport minister, Stephen Ladyman joined Itis in 2008. The Sunday Times reports that Ladyman 'would not lobby the government for a year after he stood down as a minister', but goes on to state that he 'is able to assist Itis in seeking contracts in the EU'[15]. In Chinn's biography, Itis is described as 'an AIM-listed provider of traffic information with a subsidiary in Israel'[16]. Chinn is reported to have 'forked out £475,245 on a million shares in two deals to take his holding to 1.73m or 1.76%' of Itis in 2005[17] [18]
  • Streetcar - The 'pay-as-you-go' car club is chaired by Chinn[19]. Chinn is also reported to have made a personal investment in the company, but no further details are divulged[20]. Streetcar is part of the portfolio of private equity group Smedvig Capital[21].
  • Motability - Governor[22].
  • Automobile Association - Chairman[23].
  • Kwik-Fit - Chairman[24]. Chinn also holds 3.5% ownership in Kwik Fit[25]
  • Pendragon - Chairman. Pendragon is described as the Uk's largest car dealer[26].
  • Motorists Forum - a government advisory panel. Chinn took up the position of Chairman in 1999[27]. In 2006, Chinn is reported to have headed the Forum's study the 'Local Authority Parking Attendants And London Congestion Charge Administration'[28].
  • Commission for Integrated Transport - Vice Chair. Chinn was appointed to this position by the then Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott in 1999 and continued in this role until stepping down in June 2004[29]. The Commission id described as providing 'independent advice to Government on future transport policy options, the potential for new technology, the identification of best practice in transport and on transport issues which cross departmental boundaries'[30]
  • Automotive Skills - Director[31]. The aims of Automotive Skills includes to 'Influence government, its agencies and education and training suppliers to respond to employers’ needs'[32]. Automotive Skills merged with the Institute of the Motor Industry(IMI)[33]. The IMI is part of the Skills for Business Network[34]
  • Vigilant Technology - Chairman. Vigilant describes itself as 'a leading provider of intelligent IP based digital video/audio solutions for high-end CCTV security and surveillance markets'[35]. In 2006, Chinn purchased 800,000 ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 each in the Company ('Ordinary Shares') at 10p per share. The report continued that 'Chinn is now interested in 2,805,810 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 4.97% of the issued share capital of the Company'[36]. Chinn joined Vigilant in 2005[37].
  • CVC Capital Partners - Advisory Board member[38]. CVC Capital Partners is a global private equity and investment advisory firm. It's headquarters are in Luxembourg and it has a network of 19 offices across Europe, Asia and the USA[39].
  • Mayor’s Fund for London - In July 2008, Chinn was appointed as Chair[40]. In an interview he states that this role will take up two days of his week, 'but insists he will not move away from his responsibilities to Israel' which is 'something he is particularly passionate about'.
  • Evening Standard's editor Stewart Steven is decribed by Chinn as having been a 'close friend'[41].
  • Variety Club of Great Britain where Chinn previously served as Chief Barker for two successive terms. He was also previously chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme and vice-chair of the Wishing Well Appeal for Great Ormond Street, for which it is reported that he was knighted in 1990[42].

Events and Conferences

KIVUNIM (directions) 2008

In 2008, Chinn participated as a speaker at the KIVUNIM (directions) 2008 conference on capital markets and corporate governance held at Prime Sagol Gan Oranim in Tel Aviv. Other speakers included Shraga Brosh - Manufacturers Association of Israel president; Ronnie Bar-On - Finance Minister; Tom Phillips - British Ambassador; David Lewis - Lord Mayor of the City of London; Victor Blank - Lloyds chairman; Zvi Marom - BATM Advanced Communications chairman; Graham Dallas - London Stock Exchange senior manager[43].

Israeli Prime Minister’s Conference 2005

In 2005, Chinn led a delegation from the Israel-Britain Business Council (which he serves as Council Co-Chairman) at the Israeli Prime Minister’s Conference for Export and International Cooperation. They met with MAI President Shraga Brosh (who is also Co-Chairman of the Council) and 'a group of high-level representatives of Israel’s business and economic sector'. The delegation discussed...

'the British business community’s growing interest in involvement in economic development in the Middle East region, including deeper cooperation with Israel, the PA, Egypt and Jordan. The security, antiterror and anti-crime fields in Israel were particular noted as targets for increased cooperation'[44]

The day before the Prime Ministers Conference, senior members of the IBBC held a meeting. Those in attendance included Trevor Chinn, Shraga Brosh (IBBC Chairman and Manufacturers Association president), Lord Sterling (former IBBC Chairman), Tony Warwick (Britech chairman), Simon McDonald (UK Ambassador to Israel), Uriel Lynn (Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce president and the former Israeli chairman of IBCC), Benjamin Gaon, Dov Tadmor (Aviv Venture Capital chairman), Dov Lautman (Delta Galil Industries chairman), Gideon Siterman, Hanan Achsaf, Shmuel Frankel (Epsilon Investment House chairman and CEO), Gad Propper (Osem International managing director), Amnon Dotan (British-Israel Chamber of Commerce chairman), Ehud Geller (Collgard Biopharmaceuticals chairman), Aryeh Zeiff, Amir Hayek, Yoram Blizovsky (Manufacturers Association managing director), Maj-Gen (res) Danny Rothschild, Giyora Eiland (National Security Adviser) and Yoav Biran (Ministry of Foreign Affairs director-general). The meeting included being shown 'targets and tools for realizing measures for enhancing binational cooperation'[45]

Meeting with American Jewish Committee

In 2006, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) report a meeting with Chinn in 'an effort to strengthen AJC’s ties to British Jewry'

The report states that:

'AJC President E Robert Goodkind led a leadership delegation to London to meet with the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the main community organizing body for British Jews, as well as with the Community Service Trust and the newly formed Jewish Leadership Council. The group also met with British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, longtime Jewish community leaders Lord Greville Janner and Sir Trevor Chinn, and with leadership from the Reform, Liberal and Conservative Masorti movements. In addition, the group held meetings with those Members of Parliament who initiated a serious parliamentary investigation of anti-Semitism, and with younger leaders of Conservative Friends of Israel and Labour Friends of Israel. AJC Board members Stanley Bergman and Peter Rosenblatt joined Goodkind on the mission[46].

Wielding great influence on British Jewry

In 2008, The Jeruselem Chronicle declared 'the top spots' on their second annual list of those who 'wield the greatest influence on British Jewry'. Trevor Chinn is listed at number 14[47]. The criteria for being listed is described as 'those with a vision for Jewish life in this country and who did their utmost to bring it about using either money; persuasion; religion; culture; political or social leadership; or simply inspiring through word and deed'. In order for someone to be listed in the top 20, it was generally necessary to demonstrate influence in more than one of the spheres[48].

Others included in the list were Lord Levy (number 9), Ron Prosor (number 10), Daniel Finkelstein (number 11), John Mann (number 17), Jonathan Freedland (number 18), Julia Neuberger (number 19), Lord Janner (number 20), Prime Minister Gordon Brown (number 29) & Poju Zabludowicz (number 30)[49].

References

  1. The Guardian. 'Birthdays'. 24th July 2007.
  2. Krieger, C. (2008) 'Sir Trevor’s big plans to transform London'. The Jewish Chronicle. 4th July 2008
  3. Hoon, G. (2003) Speech by Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, to the United Jewish Israel Appeal. 13th November 2003. accessed 2nd July 2008
  4. World Trade Center Israel Ltd. Newsletter Issue No.77. Spring 2006. Accessed 22nd July 2008
  5. Norwood Children and Families Trust Annual Review 2003-2004 Accessed 2nd July 2008
  6. Atlantic Free Press Labour Friends of Israel in the House'. 25th December 2007.
  7. Jewish Community Centre About Us Accessed 21st August 2008
  8. Globes [online] - Israel's Business Arena. 'Vigilant Technology valued at £24.3m for AIM IPO; The security and surveillance technology company will issue 23,255,814 shares at £0.43 each'. 19th December 2005
  9. Thomson Financial News CNF Regulatory News formerly Company News Feed 'Aurora Russia Ltd - Final Results'. 31st March 2008
  10. Thomson Financial News CNF Regulatory News formerly Company News Feed 'Aurora Russia Ltd - Final Results'. 31st March 2008
  11. Jameson, A. (2008) 'Flying high as airlines brace themselves for turbulent times ahead'. The Times (London). 10th March 2008
  12. Kahn, S. (2007) 'BLACKFRIAR; CITY AND BUSINESS EDITED BY STEPHEN KAHN' The Express11th April 2007
  13. Krieger, C. (2008) 'Sir Trevor’s big plans to transform London'. The Jewish Chronicle. 4th July 2008
  14. Jameson, A. (2008) 'Flying high as airlines brace themselves for turbulent times ahead'. The Times (London). 10th March 2008
  15. Watt, H. (2008) 'Ex-transport minister takes job at road pricing firm'. Sunday Times (London). 6th January 2008
  16. Vigilant Technology Board of Directors. Accessed 26th July 2008
  17. Daily Star 'WHO'S DEALING; IT'S THE BUSINESS'. 17th June 2005
  18. Company News Feed formerly Regulatory News Service 'ITIS Holdings PLC - Director Shareholding' 16th June 2005
  19. Wood, Z. (2007). 'Business & Media: Business: News: Streetcar desires share float'. The Observer. 7th October 2007
  20. Hotten, R. (2007) 'AUTOMOTIVE AA chief drives desire for Streetcar'. The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)10th April 2007
  21. Daily Star 'Movers & groovers; IT'S THE BUSINESS'. 11th April 2007
  22. Motorists Forum Annual Report 2006/2007 Accessed 16th August 2008
  23. The Guardian. 'Birthdays'. 24th July 2007.
  24. The Guardian (London). 'Birthdays'. 24th July 2006
  25. reid, S. (2005) 'JAPANESE TYRE GIANT TARGETS KWIK-FIT' Evening News (Edinburgh). 3rd June 2005
  26. Walsh, F. (2006) 'Pendragon urges rivals to join in £900m car dealership'. The Guardian,/i> (London). 28th January 2006
  27. Vigilant Technology Board of Directors. Accessed 26th July 2008
  28. Williams, D. (2006) 'Watchdog threatens parking takeover'. The Evening Standard (London). 6th November 2006
  29. Company News Feed formerly Regulatory News Service. 'Aurora Russia Ltd - AIM First Day Dealings'. 24th March 2006
  30. DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT 'APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION FOR INTEGRATED TRANSPORT'. Hermes Database 18th June 2004
  31. Company News Feed formerly Regulatory News Service. 'Aurora Russia Ltd - AIM First Day Dealings'. 24th March 2006
  32. Institute of the Motor Industry 'Learning and Skills – Licensed to train' Accessed 31st July 2008
  33. Institute of the Motor Industry Home page Accessed 31st July 2008
  34. Institute of the Motor Industry 'About the IMI' Accessed 31st July 2008
  35. Vigilant Technology Corporate Overview Accessed 26th July 2008
  36. Company News Feed formerly Regulatory News Service 'Vigilant Technology - Director/PDMR Shareholding'. 17th October 2006
  37. Globes [online] - Israel's Business Arena. 'Vigilant Technology valued at £24.3m for AIM IPO; The security and surveillance technology company will issue 23,255,814 shares at £0.43 each'. 19th December 2005
  38. Company News Feed formerly Regulatory News Service. 'Aurora Russia Ltd - AIM First Day Dealings'. 24th March 2006
  39. CVC Capital Partners Home page Accessed 31st July 2008
  40. Krieger, C. (2008) 'Sir Trevor’s big plans to transform London'. The Jewish Chronicle. 4th July 2008
  41. Krieger, C. (2008) 'Sir Trevor’s big plans to transform London'. The Jewish Chronicle. 4th July 2008
  42. Krieger, C. (2008) 'Sir Trevor’s big plans to transform London'. The Jewish Chronicle. 4th July 2008
  43. Greer Fay Cashman (2008) 'CONFERENCE CIRCUIT' The Jerusalem Post 20th January 2008
  44. World Trade Center Israel Ltd. Newsletter Issue No.77. Spring 2006. Accessed 22nd July 2008
  45. BBC Monitoring Middle East - Political Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring. 'New head of Israel-Britain Business Council comments ahead of meeting'. 8th November 2005
  46. American Jewish Committee London Jewish Community Greets AJC President Update 236, 20th December 2006. Accessed 21st August 2008
  47. The Jewish Chronicle JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge. 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008
  48. The Jewish Chronicle How we made our selection 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008
  49. The Jewish Chronicle JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge. 9th May 2008. Accessed 16th August 2008