Paul Deighton, Baron Deighton

Paul Deighton, Baron Deighton
Born	Paul Clive Deighton (1956-01-18) January 18, 1956 Carshalton, Surrey, England
Occupation(s)	Investment banker, government minister
Years active	1983–present
Known for	CEO of London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games; Commercial Secretary to HM Treasury; Chairman of The Economist Group

Paul Clive Deighton, Baron Deighton, KBE (born 18 January 1956), is a British Conservative figure who held the position of Commercial Secretary to HM Treasury between January 2013 and May 2015. Previously an investment banker, he served as Chief Executive of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), managing preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

He currently holds the role of Chairman at The Economist Group.

Early life

Born in Carshalton, Surrey on 18 January 1956, Deighton attended Wallington County Grammar School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1978.

Banking

Deighton's professional journey began at Bank of America and later concentrated on corporate banking at Security Pacific National Bank. In 1983, he joined the London branch of investment bank Goldman Sachs. Between 1994 and 1996, he worked in their New York office as joint Head of Controllers. Upon returning to London in 1996, he was elevated to Head of European Operations and became a partner. By 2000, he advanced to Chief Operating Officer for Europe.

Olympics London 2012

Appointed CEO of LOCOG in December 2005, Deighton described the role as "the only job I would have considered leaving Goldman Sachs for." He was instrumental in orchestrating the London Olympics’ success, prioritising early sponsorship deals and extensive staff training initiatives.

After the Olympics

In September 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron named Deighton as a junior minister within HM Government, where he assumed the title of Commercial Secretary to the Treasury starting January 2013. His responsibilities included overseeing infrastructure and economic delivery, executing the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan, and assisting the Culture Secretary with legacy matters related to the 2012 Olympics. A delayed start allowed him to complete his commitments at LOCOG. To maintain parliamentary oversight, he was granted a life peerage on 1 November 2012 as Baron Deighton, of Carshalton in County of Surrey, and was formally introduced to the House of Lords that same day.

Deighton’s tenure as Commercial Secretary concluded in May 2015 when Jim O'Neill succeeded him.

In March 2016, he took on the role of Chairman at London Heathrow Airport.

By March 2018, he had been appointed chairman of The Economist Group’s board.

COVID-19 pandemic

On 19 April 2020, amid the UK’s COVID-19 death toll reaching 15,000, Deighton was designated "PPE tsar" by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was convalescing after intensive care treatment for the virus.

Pandora Papers scandal

Deighton's name appeared in the Pandora Papers controversy amid allegations of exploiting his position as a Tory peer.

Honours

In recognition of his contributions to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Deighton received both the Olympic Order from Count Jacques Rogge and the Paralympic Order from the International Paralympic Committee in 2012. He was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2013 New Years Honours.

Personal life

While employed at Goldman Sachs, Deighton met his future wife. Together, they have two grown sons. He is also an avid fan of Arsenal F.C..

External links

• Lord Deighton on www.parliament.uk