Young, David Ivor, Baron Young of Graffham
YOUNG, DAVID IVOR, BARON YOUNG OF GRAFFHAM
YOUNG, DAVID IVOR, BARON YOUNG OF GRAFFHAM (1932– ), British businessman and politician. Lord Young of Graffham was born in London, the son of a flour merchant, and the brother of Stuart *Young, who became the chairman of the bbc. Lord Young was educated at a London public school, Christ's College, Finchley, and London University. He became a solicitor and then entered business life, serving as an executive at Great Universal Stores from 1956 to 1961 and as chairman of Eldonwall Ltd. Margaret *Thatcher appointed him to head the Manpower Services Commission from 1982 to 1984, which was concerned with reducing Britain's high unemployment rate. In 1984 she made Young minister without portfolio in her government, with a life peerage. Lord Young was then appointed to Thatcher's cabinet, serving as employment minister in 1985–87 and trade minister in 1987–89. Later he held a variety of senior business appointments and was chairman of Cable & Wireless Ltd. in 1990–95. He was also active in Jewish affairs, serving as president of Jewish Care from 1990. Young is the author of an account of his time in government, The Enterprise Years: A Businessman in Politics (1990).
[William D. Rubinstein (2nd ed.)]