The former prime minister is not taking up an advisory post or directorship at Lansdowne Partners, as others are tweeting, or so the company insists.
However, he will give four “geopolitical” talks to staff at the hedge fund. At about £50-£100,000 per speech that still adds up to a generous payment. There are also well-placed suggestions that this could be extended in the future into a more permanent role.
Paul Ruddock, chair of the V&A, is a generous philanthropist having given lots of money to museums around the UK. He has also given £260,000 to another ancient institution: the Tory party. As Alex just tweeted: “Welcome on board Tony!”
It was reported last year that Lansdowne made £100m by shorting Barclays shares. It was also a big short-seller of Northern Rock. Since then however, it has been buying back into the sector in a big way, I’m assured.
Anyway, you can add Lansdowne to the long list of interests which make up “Blair inc”. Here is a link to our feature on his charity/business empire from last October.
UPDATE
Here is the response from Blair’s office:
“Mr Blair remains one of the most popular international speakers around. These talks for Lansdowne were organised by the Washington Speakers Bureau in the usual way. Mr Blair has not taken a job with Landsdowne Partners.”
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey