Chance Encounters

"I met Frank Sinatra through Robert Maxwell. That's if you can be said to have met someone who was on a private jet with you for fourteen hours and never spoke to you." So begins Chance Encounters, a charming insight into the extraordinary people, places and politics experienced in one varied and fascinating life. Over the last fifty years, Tim Razzall has forged successful careers in law, business and politics, rising to become both a CBE and a life peer. From his time representing the biggest names in rock music to his sortie among the big hitters of the City takeover mania in the fifties, Razzall has rubbed shoulders with the Beatles, Bill Clinton and Bertrand Russell, among many, many others. Throughout all this, he has had a key role in the rise of the Liberal Democrats from fringe party to partner in government. As an adviser to Paddy Ashdown, Razzall was a major player in the Lib Dems' covert relationship with Tony Blair. As party treasurer for twelve years, he had a front-row view of the pleasures and perils of political fundraising. Having been an adviser to Charles Kennedy - and best man at his wedding - Razzall divulges frank details of the problems that led to the former leader's resignation, as well as speaking candidly and astutely about the personalities in the House of Lords. No traditional, dry autobiography, Chance Encounters is a brisk, high-spirited romp through the worlds of business, entertainment and politics, dispensing insight and humour in equal measure.

Auteur

Born in 1943 into a political family: father Humphrey Razzall was a Liberal candidate in the 1945 General Election. However, at University law and cricket were his passions, where he played a number of games for Oxford against county sides. After Oxford he taught at Northwestern University in Chicago for a while before returning to London. He qualified as a solicitor in 1969 and worked for Frere Cholmeley (later Frere Cholmeley Bischoff), becoming a partner in 1973. In 1974 moved into politics, contesting Mortlake Ward in Richmond. Won and held the seat for the next 24 years. In 1983 when deputy leader took control of Richmond Borough Council. He went on to chair the Policy and Resources Committee for the next 13 years. In 1986 he became joint Treasurer of the Liberal Party and then the Treasurer of the newly merged Liberal Democrats in 1988. Also Vice-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Councillors and then president 1990-95. On the career front became the Chief Executive of Frere Cholmeley Bischoff in 1990 and oversaw the expansion strategy of the firm. In 1992 chosen as "European Lawyer of the Year". Left in 1995 to set up his own business, Argonaut Associates, which specializes in giving business advice to growth companies. In the 1992 and 1997 General Elections had roles in the organization of the campaign. In 1997 this involved running the Leader's tour operation and the key "final week" group. Between 2000 and 2006 was the Chair of the Liberal Democrat Campaigns and Communications Committee, with responsibility for all elections. He is currently Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Treasury matters. Awarded the CBE in 1993 and made a Life Peer in 1997.