A tough cookie with no plans to stop moving
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Ernest Harrison of Racal has had quite a week. The lively 70-year-old entrepreneur has attended Vodafone's results on Tuesday, Racal Electronics' figures on Wednesday, Chubb Security's on Thursday, the Oaks horse race meeting yesterday and plans to see the Epsom Derby today.
Sir Ernie's combined salary from his three businesses totals pounds 867,000, and that doesn't include generous share options arrangements. His favourite way of spending it is horses.
Sir Ernie's most valuable creation, Vodafone, of which he is non-executive chairman, sponsors both the Oaks and the Derby. The Hackney-born businessman also owns a stable of horses himself, one of which once came third in the Derby, although he is not entering any horses today.
Despite all this ceaseless activity, Sir Ernie shows no sign of slowing up, and has no plans to retire. Still executive chairman of Racal and Chubb, he leads from the front. As one subordinate put it yesterday: "We're all running around trying to keep up with him."
The man has also earned a reputation as a tough cookie who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Famously he saw off two attempted takeovers of Racal, by Cable & Wireless in 1988 and Williams Holdings in 1991.
Sir Ernie also masterminded Racal's support of Camelot, the much-debated National Lottery organiser. Racal still owns 22.5 per cent of Camelot.
Together with SIS satellite racing service, gambling contributes a quarter of Racal's profits. A far cry from defence electronics systems, for which Racal is probably best known. Critics may criticise Camelot for earning too high profits, but few in the City can fault Sir Ernie's feel for a good deal.
It has not all been plain sailing this week, however. Racal's shares fell after it reported a pounds 20m restructuring charge for getting the troubled data products division back into the black.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments