David Norgrove

Sir David Ronald Norgrove^[1] (born 23 January 1948)^[2] is an English businessman and government official. He was the first chair of The Pensions Regulator, and is the current chair of PensionsFirst, the Family Justice Board and the Low Pay Commission.^[3] In January 2017, the Cabinet Office announced that it intended to appoint Sir David as Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, replacing Sir Andrew Dilnot at the end of March 2017.^[4]

Early life

Norgrove was born on 23 January 1948 in Peckham, London. He was educated at Christ's Hospital School and read History at Exeter College, Oxford. He gained a diploma in Economics at Cambridge University and then a master's degree in Economics at The London School of Economics.^[5]

Career

Norgrove started his career as an economist at HM Treasury (1972–85), where his time included a secondment to the First National Bank of Chicago.

Norgrove was private secretary to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher between 1985 and 1988.^[6]

In 1988 he joined Marks and Spencer, where he held several positions:^[7] From 1988–99 he was Director of Europe; Worldwide franchising; Menswear and Strategy. In September 1999 he became chairman of Marks & Spencer's Ventures Division and a year later he was appointed to the executive board as Executive director for Strategy, International and Ventures.

Norgrove was heavily involved in the early recovery of Marks and Spencer but in January 2004 he was fired from his role as director of clothing following poor Christmas sales.^[8][9][10] He continued in his position as chair of the trustees of the Marks & Spencer pension fund until later in the year, playing a role in the attempt by Philip Green to acquire the company.^[6][9]

In March 2004 he was appointed to the board of the British Museum later becoming deputy chairman.^[11] In November 2009 he became the Chairman of The British Museum Friends. He retired as a trustee in 2012.

Norgrove was appointed first chair of The Pensions Regulator between 2005 and 2010^[6] and subsequently named one of the hundred most influential people in the capital markets by Financial News.^[12] In May 2009 Norgrove became chairman of the Low Pay Commission. He is also a member of the Finance Committee of Amnesty International UK.^[13]

Family Justice Review

He chaired the Family Justice Review in 2011–12. This recommended substantial changes to speed up public law proceedings (cases concerning the protection of children) and to help family justice operate better as a system. In private law (divorce and separation) it recommended changes to help couples avoid the need to undertake court proceedings, for example increased use of mediation. Most media attention was paid to a recommendation that there should not be legislation to create a presumption around parental involvement in children's lives after separation. This was controversial particularly with Fathers' groups and has been interpreted by some as a recommendation that fathers should not have equal rights to children^[14]

In 2012 he was appointed as first chair of the Family Justice Board, which brings together the main agencies involved in family justice to promote change and reform of the system.

Personal life

Norgrove is married to Jenny and they have two daughters and a son.^[5][15][16] He is a millionaire and lives in Islington, North London.^[16][17]

Honours

Norgrove was knighted in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to the low paid and the family justice system.^[18][19]

Notes

1. ↑ Deeley, Alison (1994). D&B Europa: 1994. Dun & Bradstreet. 
2. ↑ "David Norgrove Authorised Biography". Debrett’s People of Today. 
3. ↑ Terazono, Emiko (2011-07-06). "HSBC alumni in the City". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2017-01-20. Meanwhile, David Norgrove, who chaired the Pensions Regulator from its inception in 2005 until last year, is to join pensions consultants PensionsFirst as chairman. 
4. ↑ "UK Statistics Authority chair appointment". www.gov.uk. News stories. HM Government. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
5. 1 2 Inman, Phillip (2009-02-19). "Pensions watchdog whose quiet bark belies a powerful bite". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
6. 1 2 3 Department of Work and Pensions (2004-12-13). "David Norgrove announced as first chair of The Pensions Regulator". dwp.gov.uk. HM Government. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
7. ↑ Marks and Spencer p.l.c. (2000-09-18). "MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES NEW TOP MANAGEMENT TEAM". Archived from the original on 2007-03-20. 
8. ↑ "A disastrous Christmas for Marks sparks boss's sacking.". The Daily Mail. 2004-01-15. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
9. 1 2 Rankine, Kate (2004-01-15). "M&S fires clothing chief over Christmas slump". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
10. ↑ Ashton, James (2004-06-10). "Big banks target M&S Money". Daily Mail. This Is Money. 
11. ↑ "British Museum Trustees". 10 Downing Street. HM Government. 2004-03-23. Archived from the original on 2007-06-11. Retrieved 2017-01-20. The Prime Minister has appointed David Norgrove Esq to the Board of the British Museum. The appointment will be for a period of four years with effect from 23 March 2004. 
12. ↑ Home – Financial News Online
13. ↑ Low Pay Commission. "About us". www.lowpay.gov.uk. HM Government. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
14. ↑ Shipman, Tim (2011-11-02). "Fathers lose bid for equal custody rights after review of family law". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
15. ↑ "DAVID NORGROVE INTERVIEW: I'm not going back to the One Stop Ram Shop". This is Money. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
16. 1 2 Shipman, Tim (2011-11-03). "Betrayal of the family: Despite all those Tory promises, fathers and grandparents will still be denied the right to see children after a divorce". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
17. ↑ "Running like clockwork". Accountancy Age. 2005-04-19. Retrieved 2017-01-20. 
18. ↑ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N2. 
19. ↑ "New Year’s Honours 2016 list" (pdf). GOV.UK. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.