Matt Ridley
British journalist and businessman (born 1958) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, DL, FRSL, FMedSci (born 7 February 1958),[3][1] is a British science writer, journalist and businessman. He is known for his writings on science, the environment, and economics,[5] and has been a regular contributor to The Times newspaper. Ridley was chairman of the UK bank Northern Rock from 2004 to 2007, during which period it experienced the first run on a British bank in 130 years. He resigned, and the bank was bailed out by the UK government; this led to its nationalisation.[6]
The Viscount Ridley | |
---|---|
Member of the House of Lords | |
Lord Temporal | |
as an elected hereditary peer 8 February 2013 – 17 December 2021 [lower-alpha 1] | |
Preceded by | The 13th Earl Ferrers |
Succeeded by | The 3rd Baron Strathcarron |
Chairman of Northern Rock | |
In office April 2004 – October 2007 | |
Preceded by | Sir John Riddell |
Succeeded by | Bryan Sanderson |
Personal details | |
Born | Matthew White Ridley (1958-02-07) 7 February 1958 (age 66) Northumberland, England |
Political party | Conservative |
Spouse | [1] |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Rose Paterson (sister) |
Residence(s) | Blagdon Hall, Northumberland |
Education | Eton College |
Alma mater | University of Oxford (BA, DPhil) |
Occupation | Journalist, businessman, politician |
Known for | |
Awards |
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Employer | |
Other titles | 9th Baronet (of Blagdon) |
Website | mattridley |
Scientific career | |
Thesis | Mating system of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (1983) |
Doctoral advisor | Chris Perrins[4] |
Ridley is a libertarian,[7] and a staunch supporter of Brexit.[8] He inherited the viscountcy in February 2012 and was a Conservative hereditary peer from February 2013, with an elected seat in the House of Lords,[9][10][11] until his retirement in December 2021.[12]