CITY WHISPERS: George Osborne comes alive after being invited to a Chelsea gala

The great and the good were at the Chelsea Flower Show this week, eager to see and be seen at what is undoubtedly the most thriving event on the business calendar.

On Monday evening, former Chancellor of the Exchequer turned investment banker George Osborne was in a happier mood, admitting it was the first time he had been to the gala dinner, the hottest ticket of the show.

Another friend of David Cameron, Seb James, was also in attendance, although the Old Etonian boss of Boots the Chemist remained tight-lipped about a sale or flotation of the chain by US owner Walgreens.

Next to all the suits were a few celebrities such as actor Richard E Grant.

The high life indeed.

Labour’s City charm offensive

Labour’s charm offensive against the city shows no signs of abating.

The latest fundraising dinner took place at the Science Museum in west London, where former legal and general boss Sir Nigel Wilson was in talks with the party’s top brass, including leader Anneliese Dodds and shadow economy secretary Tulip Siddiq.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds have tried to steal what has always been solid Tory ground.

“Labor has been fundraising for two years and the city knows it has to get close to them,” said Addy Frederick, head of public affairs at insurer Admiral.

Shein appoints advisory groups

Chinese fast fashion giant Shein has appointed consultancy groups Brunswick and FGS Global to help sell its story ahead of a blockbuster IPO this summer.

So there were some red faces when reports emerged showing that FGS had reportedly sent one of its top executives to its Chinese outposts to deal with allegations that Western partners were behaving in a “colonial” manner there.

It’s clear that FGS has successfully clawed its way out of the hole.

More women at the top

There are only ten female CEOs in the FTSE 100, but one man who wants to see more is Mark Versey, CEO of Aviva Investors, part of the wider Aviva insurance group.

‘I’ve had three female bosses and they were all excellent. Much better than the men,” he told The Mail on Sunday.

Boss Amanda Blanc is credited with turning around Aviva, which had been in the doldrums for years.

She sparked a firestorm last year after saying that all white, male senior promotions and hires at Aviva required her final approval. Full marks to Versey for upward management skills.

Contributor: Ruth Sunderland