Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson
Life Peerage | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | 5 March 1960 |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse | Elspeth Bellhouse |
Relations | Brian Bellhouse (father-in-law) |
Children | 5 |
Residence | Nether Lypiatt Manor |
Alma mater | Aston University |
Profession | Businessman |
24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
---|---|
Years | 2009 – |
Teams | Drayson Racing |
Best finish | 28th/NC (2010) |
Class wins | 0 |
Paul Rudd Drayson, Baron Drayson
Early life and career
After attending St Dunstan's College, Drayson graduated from Aston University in Production Engineering, followed in 1986 by a PhD in robotics.[6] From 1986 to 1991 he was managing director of the Lambourn Food Company. From 1992 to 1998 he was managing director of Justin de Blank Ltd.
In 1993 he co-founded PowderJect Pharmaceuticals plc in
Between 2001 and 2002 he was the Chairman of the
Drayson is the current president of the Motorsport Industry Association. He is chairman and CEO of Drayson Technologies Ltd near Oxford.[5]
Labour Party
Drayson has been a large contributor to the Labour Party, with BBC News reporting in 2005 that he "was made a lord and then the UK defence procurement minister after giving New Labour more than £1m." [8] He donated £100,000 in 2002 before PowderJect Pharmaceuticals plc was awarded a £32 million contract for a smallpox vaccine. He donated £505,000 on 17 June 2004 six weeks after being appointed to the House of Lords by Tony Blair and a further £500,000 on 21 December 2004.[9]
Government
In May 2005 Drayson replaced
On 6 March 2007 Drayson was promoted to
He rejoined the Brown government as
Sensyne Health
Sensyne Health, floated on the
In April 2022 Drayson was ousted as chief executive,[16] shortly after the company's financial report claimed that it would run out of money by February 2022.[17]
Personal life
Drayson is married to Elspeth Bellhouse, the daughter of scientist Brian Bellhouse.[18] They have five children, and live between homes in London and Nether Lypiatt Manor near Stroud in Gloucestershire, purchased for £5.75 million in 2006 from Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.[19]
Self-described as a "car nut and I'm a Government minister",
Drayson was born blind in one eye which, under FIA rules, prevented him from acquiring an international racing licence for participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In light of his performance during the 2008 ALMS season and FIA rule changes, he was granted an international licence to allow him the chance of competing in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.[22] Drayson finished 37th overall and 12th in class at the race. He also competed at the 2010 event but failed to finish.
Drayson has currently competed in two seasons of the ALMS with a best finish of a win at the
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Drayson Racing | Jonny Cocker Marino Franchitti |
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2
|
GT2 | 272 | DNF | DNF |
2010 | Drayson Racing | Jonny Cocker Emanuele Pirro |
Lola B09/60-Judd
|
LMP1 | 254 | NC | NC |
Honours
Drayson was elevated to the
Arms
|
References
- ^ a b c "List of Fellows". Archived from the original on 8 June 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ The Independent: Lord Drayson – Britain's top gun
- ^ "MOD Website: Minister of State for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform". Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
- ^ John Dagys, "10 Questions With Paul Drayson", speedtv.com Archived 30 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Vaughan, Adam (4 August 2013). "Lord Drayson takes on UK air pollution crisis with new smart sensor". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ "Press release: ASTON UNIVERSITY PHD GRADUATE APPOINTED MINISTER FOR SCIENCE". Aston University. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
- ^ Saunders, Andrew (6 July 2016). "Lord Drayson on new Freevolt technology that could power devices for free". Managementtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ Elliot Choueka (17 November 2005). "The irresistible rise of 'Tony's crony'". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ISBN 9780340839447.
- ^ Lord Drayson appointed minister Archived 20 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ UK DIS falls into abeyance as Drayson decides to quit, Jane's Defence Weekly, 14 November 2007, p. 5
- ^ a b "Minister quits to race in Le Mans". BBC News. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
- ^ Amos, Jonathan (3 October 2008). "Lord Drayson takes science brief". BBC News. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
- ^ Croft, Jane (23 April 2020). "Sensyne chief accused of creating 'culture of fear' at tech start-up". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Trusts left with valueless company shares given in exchange for patient data". Health Service Journal. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Sensyne boss Lord Drayson ousted in bid for survival".
- ^ "Sensyne healthier without Drayson".
- ^ Andrew Clark (19 January 2002). "Interview: Paul Drayson, Powderject Pharmaceuticals | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- The Sunday Times, 23 July 2006.
- ^ On the move: Lord Drayson Sunday Times – 20 October 2007
- ^ www.barwellmotorsport.co.uk, Barwell Motorsport
- ^ Drayson Racing News and Notes for 24 Hours of Le Mans Aston Martin Racing
- ^ Matt Beer (23 February 2011). "Drayson quits ALMS for electric series". Autosport.com. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ "No. 57308". The London Gazette. 4 June 2004. p. 6995.