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Sir Digby Jones

Sue Lawley's castaway is Director-General of the CBI Sir Digby Jones.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the Director General of the CBI, Sir Digby Jones. He was born and grew up in the West Midlands at a time where 'the Austin' car plant formed the 'centre of the universe'. His father ran the local grocer's shop until the arrival of the supermarkets in the 1960s, giving Digby his first taste of business.

After winning a scholarship to public school, he joined the Royal Navy to pay his way through university where he studied law, before becoming a high-flier in the world of corporate finance. Six years ago he was head-hunted to become 'the voice of British business'. Knighted in 2005, he is a regular visitor to Downing Street and bangs the drum for the UK around the world, while sporting his union flag cufflinks. He is known for his energy and enthusiasm, and his charity fund-raising has taken him from Lands End to John O'Groats on a bike. Typically, he will make two speeches a day, while his love of food gets him through the vast amounts of 'professional eating' involved in the job. He reaches the end of his term at the CBI in July.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler
Book: How Britain Made The Modern World by Niall Ferguson
Luxury: Video or pictorial book of '100 examples of excellence'

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 26 May 2006 09:00
大象传媒 Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Edward Elgar

    Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36: Variation IX "Nimrod"

    Orchestra: The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Simon Rattle

    • The Soundtrack from the film Crush.
    • EMI.

  • Sean McDermott

    Younger than Springtime

    • South Pacific.
    • That's Entertainment.

  • Sir Hubert Parry

    Jerusalem

    Choir: The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor

    • Cathedral Music by Sir Hubert Parry.
    • Hyperion.

  • Neil Diamond

    Hello Again

    • The Ultimate Collection.
    • Columbia.

  • George Benson

    In Your Eyes

    • Midnight Moods.
    • Telstar.

  • Tina Turner

    The Best

    • The Greatest Hits of 1989.
    • Premier.

  • Bryan Adams

    (Everything I do) I Do It For You

    • Anthology.
    • Polydor.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Bette Midler

      Wind Beneath my Wings

      • Chick Flick diaries.
      • Warner.

  • Book Choice

    • How Britain Made the Modern World - Niall Ferguson

  • Luxury Choice

    • Video or pictorial book of '100 examples of excellence'

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sir Digby Jones

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 May 2006 11:15
    大象传媒 Radio 4
  • Fri 26 May 2006 09:00
    大象传媒 Radio 4

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