Nadhim Zahawi’s undulating political career in the British government continues as he moves from the heights of chancellor to Prime Minister Liz Truss's “Mr Fixit”.
For the past two months, the Iraqi-born politician held the purse strings of the economy following Boris Johnson’s resignation announcement.
In that time Mr Zahawi, 55, who briefly stood for leadership election, appears to have been in communication with Ms Truss to lay the foundations for Thursday’s emergency energy announcement that could total £100 million ($115m).
Watching him standing at the front of the crowd of Ms Truss loyalists in the downpours outside Downing Street on Tuesday, it was clear he had been promised a Cabinet post.
A few hours later, it was announced the Baghdad-born Kurd would take up the 15th century post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The role means he will act as special project operator for the prime minister with nominated tasks to complete, as well as heading the Cabinet Office.
The list of official jobs for Mr Zahawi published by the government is long and tricky, but potentially suited to a highly capable businessman.
He will lead the government’s digital and data reform, have oversight of the operational response to Covid-19, while overseeing civil contingency planning and cyber security.
In addition, he will review the government’s science, technology, and innovation, military veterans' issues, as well as providing constitutional advice.
His packed brief also includes being Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and Minister for Equalities.
More prosaically, he is now responsible for administering the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster, a title from 500 years ago when the royal family came from Lancashire and owned land there.
Mr Zahawi could not have imagined taking on a role with such deep British historical roots when he arrived in Sussex as an 11-year-old exile who spoke no English.
Born in the year the Baath political party retook power, 1967, Mr Zahawi’s established Kurdish family was threatened by the rise of Saddam Hussein to power in the 1970s.
They fled to Britain, where his father set up business that allowed him to privately educate his son at King's College School in west London. He then graduated from University College London, where he studied chemical engineering.
Mr Zahawi’s breakthrough in business came in setting up the polling company You.Gov that now has 400 employees across three continents.
He sold his shareholding and is now estimated to have a £100m property portfolio as well as founding several business enterprises, including a horse-riding school with his wife.
His business success has been replicated in politics. His competency demonstrated as a junior minister in the education then the business department was rewarded with the critical task of minister in charge of the Covid vaccination programme in 2020.
Resounding success there led to the education secretary role in 2021, followed by chancellor in Mr Johnson’s final two months as prime minister.
“I pinch myself every morning, to wake up to think the 11-year-old who arrived on these shores and couldn’t speak a word of English is now the member for Shakespeare, for the heart of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in her majesty’s government,” Mr Zahawi said on taking up the post. “This is the greatest country on Earth.”
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
