People and Business: AMP chief's high hopes for Branson

WITH CHRISTMAS coming up, it is heartwarming to hear that George Trumbull does not forget distant friends.

The chief executive of the Oz insurer AMP was in buoyant mood yesterday after winning the battle for NPI. The purchase of the UK life assurer prompted the outspoken American to reminisce about his recent conquests on UK soil. First the fund manager Henderson, then Pearl Assurance and, last but not least, a chunky stake in Richard Branson's Virgin Direct.

Mr Trumbull's tribute to the ballooning entrepreneur, currently cruising over some foreign land, convinced those present that their relationship went well beyond business.

"Hopefully, he won't go down in his balloon tomorrow," he said movingly.

TALKING OF tributes, good show of awareness by the Bank of England Governor Eddie George at the unveiling of a memorial to Michael von Clemm, the former CSFB chairman. In the middle of his speech, the boss of Threadneedle Street invited the late investment banker's daughter Stephanie to join him on the podium. But for all his staring at the besuited crowd, Mr George was unable to locate Ms von Clemm.

After several minutes of governatorial squinting and embarrassed shuffling of feet, the mystery was solved. Ms von Clemm was finally found in the most unexpected place: on the podium, right next to the Governor, where she had been throughout Mr George's words.

Andrew Brown, chief executive of fund manager of Gartmore, please take note. I can exclusively reveal that Gartmore is at risk of going under. The water that is. Gartmore is of course the 60-foot yacht competing in the gruelling "Around Alone" race - 27,000 miles of round-the-world solo sailing.

I gather that Josh Hall, the skipper (and crew) of the fund manager-sponsored vessel, has had some serious problems. One of my spies tells me that, while completing the notoriously difficult Cape Town-Auckland leg, Mr Hall was buffeted by gigantic waves and was at risk of falling into the freezing ocean.

Pushed by enormous forces, at risk of plunging; it sounds like Mr Hall's job is an outdoor version of a fund manager's chores. Only I am sure the sailor has fewer sharks to contend with.

SUFFERING FROM office party hangover? Hold the paracetamol, for Sir Robert Clarke's Thames Water tells me that they have the perfect antidote.

And what would this perfect anti-booze tipple be? Why, water of course. In Thames' unbiased opinion, tap water is "the healthy, convenient and value-for-money remedy" to Yuletide indulgence.

There is more. After years of market research and scientific testing, Thames can come up with the ultimate Christmas present. A tip on how to make water taste "its very best". Brace yourself, here it comes: "Chill it."

KHALID AZIZ, a communication consultant, has produced a handy guide on "how to avoid the Christmas party bore". The trick is to spot the various types of guest and steer clear of the ones who could talk for hours about the design of the 17.34 to Paddington.

My selection, to be continued during the week, starts with the Rabbit In The Headlights. See if you know one: "A very nervous individual, whose anxiety is often given away by a limp and sweaty handshake. This person is finding the whole experience painful and would clearly rather be elsewhere. Deal with the Rabbit by introducing them to a third party".

SIR MARTIN LAING, the boss of builder John Laing, has been named chairman elect at NHP, the care home operator. He will take up the post in March next year, when the current chairman Artur Bergbaum retires.

Sir Martin is also chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board, president of the Construction Federation and chairman of the Construction Industry Employers Council.