Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach

For the crossbench peer, see Hugh Griffiths, Baron Griffiths. For the Labour peer, see Leslie John Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Burry Port.

The Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
Born	27 December 1941
Nationality	British
Education	Dynevor School, Swansea London School of Economics
Occupation(s)	Politician, banker

Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach (born 27 December 1941) is a British Conservative politician.

Biography

Early life

Brian Griffiths was born on 27 December 1941. He was educated Dynevor School, Swansea and the London School of Economics.

Career

He was an Adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1986, while Dean of the City University Business School, he resigned his chair to become her chief policy adviser. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Griffiths, of Fforestfach in the County of West Glamorgan in 1991.

He was Chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies from 1991 to 2001. He served on the Board of Directors of the Conservative 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 the Nature in Art Trust.

He serves as Vice-Chairman of Goldman 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”.

Arms

Coat of arms of Brian Griffiths, Baron Griffiths of Fforestfach

Adopted 2007 Coronet Coronet of a Baron Crest Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Vert a Bear sejant erect Gules holding in the dexter forepaw a Leek proper Escutcheon Paly of four Vert and Argent per fess enhanced indented of two points upwards each point double barbed throughout issuing in base a pile double barbed throughout all counterchanged Supporters On either side statant upon a Stack of two closed Books Vert garnished Or a Male Gryphon reguardant Gules beaked forelegged and rayed Or Motto OFN YR ARGLWYDD Y DYW DOETHINEB Badge In front of an Osprey statant to the sinister Vert the crest and throat Argent beaked and legged Or an Osprey statant Gules the crest and throat Argent beaked and legged Or Symbolism Green and white are the ancient Welsh livery colours. The paly formation is arranged to suggest spruce clad mountains and hence an allusion to Fforestfach which means ‘fair forest'. Further puns are provided by the bear for Brian and the gryphons for Griffiths.

External links

• Profile on the UK Parliament Webpage
• Brian Griffiths at millbanksystems.com