Home Page

Councillor Butcher is a Conservative councillor for the Cobham & Downside ward.
He is the Cabinet Member with the 'Regulatory Affairs' portfolio that includes planning and licensing policy and health & safety (except food/animals).
Politics
The Bow Group (the leading Conservative research organisation):
- Council 1968-76
- Treasurer 1968-70
- Political Officer 1974-75
- Trustee 1991-96
PA to John Nott, 1970 general election campaign
Co-author, "Money for Our Masters", Bow Publications Ltd., 1971
Young Conservatives National Advisory Committee, 1973-74
Conservative candidate:
- Crewe, 1979 general election
- Crosby, 1981 by-election
Paper, personally requested by Prime Minister, on by-election procedures, 1982
PA to Secretary of State for Transport, 1983 general election
Carlton Club:
- Committee 1995-98, 1999-02
- Finance Committee, 1991-04
- Policy advisory committee on 'law and order', 1996-97
Law and Constitution
Written and oral evidence to the Latey Committee on the Age of Majority, 1966
Proposed "Police Aware" notices, used on vehicles involved in accidents, 1972
Evidence on Companies (No. 2) Bill 1976
Marsham Court Leaseholders Association Committee, 1979-80, successful in court action against landlord
Evidence on Housing Bill 1980
Author "The Royal Line of Succession", published by Penguin Books, 1983
Persuaded ministers to get Parliament to amend the Meeting of Parliament Act 1797, to avoid an enhanced risk to the life of the Sovereign, 1985
Drafted the 'Statement of Principles' on the Exchequer Levy, laid before Parliament, 1990
Evidence to Neill Committee on financing political activities, 1998
Led re-drafting of a Royal Charter, approved by the Queen in Council, 1998-99
Drafted part of South West Trains Bye-Laws, 1999
Local Government etc.
Governor, Walworth Comprehensive School, 1970-72
Councillor, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 1974-78, for the Redcliffe Ward (next to the one that contains the Chelsea FC ground):
- Social Services Committee
- Health and Housing Committee
- Private Bill Committee
Councillor, Elmbridge 2004- , for the Cobham and Downside ward (next to the one that contains the Chelsea FC training ground):
- Community Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee, 2004-05,
- Corporate Affairs Overview & Scrutiny Committee, 2005-06
- West (Weybridge & Cobham) Area Planning Sub-Committee 2004-
- Cabinet portfolio holder for Regulatory Affairs, 2006-
Evidence to Secretary of State for Community Affairs and Local Government
on international relations and public order aspects of Advertisement regulations, 2006
Foreign and Defence
Royal Naval Reserve, 1960-72, Junior Seaman to Lieutenant
Attended US Democratic Party National Convention, 1972
Author, "Safety at Sea", Conservative Political Centre, 1973
Council, Conservative Group for Europe, 1987-89
Persuaded Passport Office/Agency to change procedures to:
- avoid sex discrimination, 1996, and
- check applications against electoral registers, 2006
Business and Economics
Submissions on banks, to Ministers, Bank of England, OFT and banking industry, 1981-95
Submissions on insurance to DTI, OFT and insurance industry, 1983-91
Author of 10 articles on pricing for "Accountancy" magazine, 1983-85
Persuaded Treasury to amend Finance Bill 1989 for Exchequer Levy on ITV
Devised scheme for speeding debt payments by businesses, 1992
Submissions on reform of Central Gilts Office, to Bank of England, 1996
Persuaded Inland Revenue to alter form for interest with no tax deduction, 1999
Professional and Ethical
Advisory Board on Accountancy Education, 1970-72
Committee, London Society of Chartered Accountants, 1979-80
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales:
- Critique for improving Ethics Guide, 1991
- Working Party on "Whistleblowing", 1997-98
Unions
Worked on investigation into ballot-rigging in Electrical Trade Union, 1959
Officer, Union of Chartered Accountant Student Societies, 1966-68; Reorganised it with personal advice from George Woodcock, TUC General Secretary
Trades Union Unit Trust, led audit 1966-67
Addressed ASLEF etc. branch meetings 1978-79
Member ASTMS, 1976-80
Member BECTU, 1985-90, Branch Committee, 1988-89
British, married with two adult children.
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS RECORD
Management consultant
Business start-up advice and business plans.
Strategic advice to a multinational on major security risks faced by businesses.
Devised costing system for a defence contractor.
Ran accounts function for software subsidiary of Thorn EMI.
Forensic support, claims and litigation.
Lloyd's Superannuation Fund
Trustee (nominated by Council of Lloyd's), Vice-Chairman, then Chairman
Investment (£350m) Committee, selected and monitored investment managers.
The Salvage Association
Iinternational marine surveyors, Chief financial officer.
Successfully devised new charging structure, to optimise revenue contribution.
Drafted and implemented business plan, identifying risks and their management.
Member of pay review panel and personally oversaw complex payroll.
Handled negotiations for, and legal aspects of, the disposal of a division.
Contract negotiations and drafting of legal agreements with suppliers etc..
Independent Broadcasting Authority
Head of Finance for this statutory body's business dealings with its television and radio programme contractors.
Wrote policy papers on, and negotiated with, those contractors etc.
Advised on board papers and policy for Independent Television News.
Devised successful way for rescuing ailing independent radio sector.
Responsible for collecting and analysing broadcast advertising revenue data.
Administered Exchequer Levy on ITV.
Monk & Co plc
Quoted civil engineering and building contractors, Chief financial officer.
Introduced new cash controls for construction projects.
Dealt with disposa of a subsidiay.
Dunbee-Combex-Marx Ltd.
Consumer products holding company
UK Divisional Financial Controller and Director, Associated Toy Industries Ltd.
Financial control of eight subsidiaries, including Hornby.
Ran accounts function in a new subsidiary bartering goods with USSR.
Touche Ross & Co (now Deloitte & Touche)
Management consultants, Senior Consultant
Seconded to Price Commission - advice on industry cost structure.
Drafted report to DTI on funding for major UK computer company.
Wrote report to Malaysian Government on improving rubber processing industry.
Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd (now Blue Circle Industries PLC), building materials manufacturers, Financial Accoun