Neil Shields
Encyclopedia
Sir Neil Stanley Shields, OBE, MC
(7 September 1919 – 12 September 2002) was a British
politician
and businessman.
Shields was born in London
and served as a major in the Royal Artillery
in World War II
, during which time he was awarded the Military Cross
. In 1949 he unsuccessfully stood as the Conservative Party
parliamentary candidate for St Pancras North. Shields served on Hampstead
borough council between 1947 and 1965, serving as deputy leader, and as Chairman of the finance and works committees.
Shields later became an adviser in merger broking, especially in the role of director of Chesham Amalgamations and Investments
(1964–1984). He was Chairman of the London area of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations
(1961–1963), and was thrice a member of the Conservative Party National Executive.
He was knighted in 1964 for political and public services in London and Hampstead.
During his time as the Chairman of the Commission for New Towns (1982–1995) Shields oversaw the doubling in the number of new towns under the control of the Commission, as all the independent New Town Development Corporations were wound up by 1992, as part of the Conservative Government's proposals under Margaret Thatcher
to reduce the number of Quango
s. The Commission, under his chairmanship, was converted from a holding body to a disposal agency, selling off billions of pounds of assets. At the same time Shields also served on the board of London Transport
(1986–1993), six months doing so as interim Chairman (1988–89) after the Fennell report into the King's Cross fire
, and afterwards as Deputy Chairman.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(7 September 1919 – 12 September 2002) was a British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman.
Shields was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and served as a major in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which time he was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. In 1949 he unsuccessfully stood as the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
parliamentary candidate for St Pancras North. Shields served on Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
borough council between 1947 and 1965, serving as deputy leader, and as Chairman of the finance and works committees.
Shields later became an adviser in merger broking, especially in the role of director of Chesham Amalgamations and Investments
Chesham Amalgamations
Chesham Amalgamations is the trading name of Chesham Amalgamations & Investments Limited, a pioneering mergers and acquisitions broking company based in the UK...
(1964–1984). He was Chairman of the London area of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations
National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations
The National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations was a federation of the voluntary wing of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom....
(1961–1963), and was thrice a member of the Conservative Party National Executive.
He was knighted in 1964 for political and public services in London and Hampstead.
During his time as the Chairman of the Commission for New Towns (1982–1995) Shields oversaw the doubling in the number of new towns under the control of the Commission, as all the independent New Town Development Corporations were wound up by 1992, as part of the Conservative Government's proposals under Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
to reduce the number of Quango
Quango
Quango or qango is an acronym used notably in the United Kingdom, Ireland and elsewhere to label an organisation to which government has devolved power...
s. The Commission, under his chairmanship, was converted from a holding body to a disposal agency, selling off billions of pounds of assets. At the same time Shields also served on the board of London Transport
London Regional Transport
London Regional Transport was the organisation responsible for the public transport network in Greater London, UK from 1984-2000. In common with all London transport authorities from 1933 to 2000, the public name and operational brand of the organisation was London Transport.The organisation was...
(1986–1993), six months doing so as interim Chairman (1988–89) after the Fennell report into the King's Cross fire
King's Cross fire
The King's Cross St. Pancras tube station fire was a fatal fire on the London Underground. It broke out at approximately 19:30 on 18 November 1987, and killed 31 people....
, and afterwards as Deputy Chairman.