From Banker with a Passion for Change to the Pm's Fixer-in-Chief ; Profile Shriti Vadera has Survived Sexism, Racism and Her 'Green Shoots' Gaffe to Build a Uniquely Powerful Position at the Centre of Government

Evening Standard - London › March 25, 2009

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Summary

THE senior businessman was in no doubt "She's the one," he said of Baroness Vadera.

"Everything passes through her -- she's 24/7 to Gordon Brown." Another said: "She holds the most extraordinary position. She's closer to Gordon Brown than anyone doing a similar-type role for Tony Blair." Listening to each of them talk about the woman who holds two official titles, of a business minister and Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Cabinet Office and in reality is the Prime Minister's principal fixer, their awe was evident. She has three desks -- in the Business Department, Cabinet Office and Number 10.

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From Banker with a Passion for Change to the Pm's Fixer-in-Chief ; Profile Shriti Vadera has Survived Sexism, Racism and Her 'Green Shoots' Gaffe to Build a Uniquely Powerful Position at the Centre of Government

Vadera, 46, a former banker, is neither a politician nor a career civil servant, yet she is at the absolute centre of government.

Likewise, while many business people have been parachuted into Whitehall, only to fall flat on their faces, she has stayed and prospered.

And she is a woman and a Ugandan Asian. She has defied both sexism and racism to ge...

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