Michael Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Thomas Lyons (1949-09-15)15 September 1949 (age 76) |
| Alma mater | Middlesex University, andQueen Mary & Westfield College |
| Employer(s) | English Cities Fund,BBC Trust |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Children | 3 |
Sir Michael Thomas Lyons (born 15 September 1949) is a British politician and former chairman of theBBC Trust (now theBBC Board). He currently serves as non-executive chairman of the English Cities Fund and chairs the board of the SQW Group.[1][2]
A former BritishLabour Party councillor and council chief executive in the United Kingdom, he was involved in some of the key central government commissions and reports into local government finance from 2000 to 2007.[3]
Michael Lyons was educated at Stratford Grammar School, London,Middlesex University, andQueen Mary & Westfield College,University of London. Whilst completing his formal education, he worked for two years as a part-time street trader at Bell St Market, London.[4] Lyons then worked as a lecturer in economics at Wallbrook College, London, and theUniversity of Nottingham.
Lyons worked in the public sector as an economist, and between 1980 and 1983 served as an electedLabourcouncillor onBirmingham City Council.[5] He then became Chief Executive of three significant local authorities:Wolverhampton Borough Council (1985–90);Nottinghamshire County Council (1990–94); and finallyBirmingham City Council (1994–2001).
In 2004 he was the chaired two successful government projects: theReview of Public Sector Relocation on behalf of theChancellor andprime minister, and theCorporate Governance Commission on behalf ofCardiff City Council. He was Deputy Chairman of theAudit Commission for two years until October 2006, including a period as acting chairman. In March 2007, he published the final report and recommendations from his three-year independent inquiry into the future role, function and funding oflocal government.[5]
Lyons was the Head of Inlogov, the leading Local GovernmentPublic Policy school in the United Kingdom atBirmingham University from 2001 to 2006, and was awarded anhonoraryLL.D by Birmingham University in 2009.[6] He also holds an honorary doctorate fromMiddlesex University.
Lyons served as a governor of theRoyal Shakespeare Company[7] as well as a non-executive director on the boards ofMouchel,[needs update][8] Wragge & Co Solicitors and SQW Group Ltd.[9] A former chairman of theCity of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and former member of the boards of City Pride, Birmingham Marketing Partnership and Millennium Point Property Trust Company, he was also previously a director ofCentral Independent Television, until 1993.[9]
He wasknighted in January 2000 for Services to Local Government.[10][11]
In 2022 he chaired the Independent Review of Invest Northern Ireland.[12]
On 1 May 2007, Lyons was appointed Chairman of theBBC Trust, following Michael Grade's departure to become Executive Chairman of rival broadcaster ITV. On 3 August 2007, aHouse of Lordsall-party select committee criticised the appointment process, claiming government ministers had too much influence over his appointment. Lyons dismissed the allegations, pledging "absolute independence and impartiality".[13]
On 14 September 2010, Lyons announced that he would serve for only one four-year term and would not seek reappointment in May 2011.[14] He was succeeded in May 2011 byChris Patten.
AtLabour Party Conference 2013, the Leader of the Opposition,Ed Miliband, launched a Housing Commission to review public policy of Housing in the United Kingdom. Sir Michael Lyons headed this commission and published the report on 16 October 2014.
A summary of the initial parameters was given byCivic Voice:[15]
Sir Michael Lyons has identified a number of key areas on which he would like to focus:
- The land market
- Investment in housing and infrastructure
- The role of a new generation of New Towns and Garden Cities
- Co-operation between adjoining local authorities in the planning process.
- Sharing the benefit of development with local communities.
Lyons is married with three children[3] and lives inSutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
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| Preceded by Chitra Bharucha as Acting Chair of theBBC Trust | Chair of theBBC Trust 1 May 2007 – 30 April 2011 | Succeeded by |