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Profile: Oliver Dowden

10/12/2022

Oliver Dowden

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, Oliver Dowden

The minister organising the government response to the current wave of strikes.

Oliver Dowden MP is Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and right-hand man to the PM.  He's co-ordinating the government response to the current wave of strikes.

Oliver Dowden, the MP for Hertsmere, has worked closely with four Prime Ministers, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and now Rishi Sunak, one of his best friends in parliament. He's made his mark quietly, mainly behind the scenes - but as Culture Secretary during the pandemic, he managed to secure extra funding to support the arts.  

As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, some might argue Oliver Dowden is now the second most powerful person in government.  He's been given the key job of organising the government response to the current wave of strike action.

Away from work, Dowden is a patriot, a monarchist and a man who enjoys pub lunches and walks in the countryside with his family and pet dog, Betsy.  

Adrian Goldberg speaks to friends and colleagues who give us an insight into a man whose nicknames run from Olive to The Undertaker. 

Contributors

George Osborne, Chair, British Museum; Former Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir John Hayes, MP for  South Holland and The Deepings.
Annabelle Dickson, Political Correspondent, Politico.
Andrew Gimson, Biographer, Boris Johnson.
Sir Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman, Victoria and Albert Museum.
Sean Worth,  Director, WPI Strategy, Communications Consultancy.


PRODUCTION TEAM

Presenter: Adrian Goldberg
Producers: Diane Richardson and Julie Ball 
Editor: Simon Watts
Production Co-ordinators:   Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross
Sound Production:  Neil Churchill

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