Michael Lyons (UK politician)

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For other persons named Michael Lyons, see Michael Lyons (disambiguation).

Sir Michael Lyons (born 1950), is a former Labour Party councillor and council chief executive in the United Kingdom, who has also been involved in some of the key central government commissions and reports into local government finance from 2000 to 2007.[1] On 1 May 2007, Lyons became Chairman of the BBC Trust.[2] On 3 August 2007 a House of Lords all-party select committee criticised the way the appointment was handled, saying government ministers had too much influence over his appointment. Lyons dismissed the allegations, pledging "absolute independence and impartiality".[3]

[edit] Biography

BBC Portal

Michael Lyons was educated at Stratford Grammar School (London), Middlesex University, and at Queen 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 in London.[4] Lyons then worked as a lecturer in economics at the Wallbrook College, London and the University of Nottingham.

Lyons worked as an economist working in the public sector, and between 1980 and 1983 served as an elected Labour councillor on Birmingham City Council.[5] He then became Chief Executive of three significant local authorities: Wolverhampton Borough Council (1985–90); Nottinghamshire County Council (1990–94); and then Birmingham City Council (1994–2001). Lyons was knighted in January 2000 in recognition of his services to Local Government.

During 2004 he was the chairman of two successful government projects: "Review of Public Sector Relocation" on behalf of the Chancellor and Prime Minister, and "Corporate Governance Commission" on behalf of Cardiff City Council. He was also Deputy Chairman of the Audit Commission for two years until October 2006, serving for a while as Acting Chairman. In March 2007 he published his final report and recommendations from his three year independent Inquiry into the future role, function and funding of local government.[5]

Lyons was the head of Inlogov, a Public Policy school at Birmingham University from 2001 to 2006, and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Middlesex University.

Lyons is presently: chairman of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Trust; a member of the boards of City Pride, Birmingham Marketing Partnership, Millennium Point Property Trust Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company[6] and SQW Group; and a non-executive director of Mouchel[7] and Wragge & Co solicitors[8]. He was previously a director of Central Independent Television until 1993.[8]

Lyons is married and has three children.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Youngs, Ian (5 April 2007). New BBC chairman sets out stall. BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  2. ^ BBC Trust (5 April 2007). Press release: Sir Michael Lyons appointed BBC Chairman. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  3. ^ Daily Mail (3 August 2007). BBC job 'influenced' by Ministers. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  4. ^ Government of the United Kingdom (5 April 2007). New Chair appointed to the BBC. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  5. ^ a b The Lyons Inquiry into Local Government. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  6. ^ City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
  7. ^ Mouchel (20 October 2006). Sir Michael Lyons. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
  8. ^ a b SQW Group (5 February 2007). Sir Michael Lyons and Sir Williams Wells join SQW Group. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.