The Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach | |
|---|---|
 Brian Griffiths, c1973 | |
| Director of theNumber 10 Policy Unit | |
| In office 1985–1990 | |
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | John Redwood |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Hogg |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| Life peerage 5 February 1991 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1941-12-27)27 December 1941 (age 84) |
| Nationality | British |
| Party | Conservative |
| Education | Dynevor School, Swansea London School of Economics |
| Occupation | Politician, banker |
Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach (born 27 December 1941), is a British economist, lecturer, andConservativelife peer.
Brian Griffiths was born on 27 December 1941. He was educated atDynevor School, Swansea, and theLondon School of Economics (LSE), where he graduated with a BSc(Econ.) and MSc(Econ.).[1]
Griffiths was made an assistant lecturer in economics at the LSE in 1965.[1] Three years later he became a lecturer in economics atCity University, remaining in that role for nearly a decade until his appointment as Professor of Banking and International Finance at the same institution in 1977.[2][1] From 1982 to 1985 he wasDean of the university'sBusiness School.[1]
Griffiths has written and lectured on the relationship of the Christian faith to politics and business.[3] He taught atRegent College on biblical economics in 1979,[4] and wroteThe Creation of Wealth: A Christian's Case for Capitalism in 1984. He has been influenced in this area byRousas J. Rushdoony.[5] Griffiths is afellow ofSarum College and delivered the 2011 Niblett Memorial Lecture there on "A Christian Reflection on the Financial Crisis".[6]
He served as vice-chairman ofGoldman Sachs International. He said he was "not ashamed" of the bank's compensation plans. He also said the issue of banking compensation should not be thought about solely from a short-term perspective. He defended the bank's bonuses, Griffiths said the general public should "tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity for all", saying also that "we should not ... be ashamed of offering compensation in an internationally competitive market which ensures the bank businesses here and employs British people".[7]
He additionally serves as Co-Conference Host at theSt. Gallen Symposium, together withRoshni Nadar andDominic Barton.[8]
In 1985 Griffiths resigned his university posts to becomeMargaret Thatcher's chief policy adviser.[9] He remained Director of theNumber 10 Policy Unit for the remainder of Thatcher's term as prime minister. Griffiths then became Chairman of theCentre for Policy Studies, serving from 1991 to 2001. He also served on the board of directors of theConservative Christian Fellowship from 2000 to 2002. He was a member of the European Union Sub-Committee F (Social Affairs, Education and Home Affairs) from 1999 to 2003 and the Religious Offences Committee from 2002 to 2003. He is a vice-president of theNature in Art Trust.[10]
Griffiths was the Conservative Party candidate forBlyth in theFebruary andOctober 1974 General Elections. He was created alife peer asBaron Griffiths,ofFforestfach in the County ofWest Glamorgan on 5 February 1991.[11]
He chaired theGriffiths Commission on Personal Debt in 2004.[12]
|
| Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Gentlemen Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach | Followed by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People | |
| Other | |
